State of Alaska is hiring: Guardian ad Litem 1/2 (021637) in Anchorage

The Civil Section provides Guardian ad Litem (GAL) representation for children when appointed by the court, primarily in child protection proceedings, delinquency cases, and divorce/custody disputes. The GAL advocates for the best interests of the child and provides recommendations to the court.

The Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) provides legal advocacy and guardianship services to vulnerable Alaskans. With offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Kenai, Palmer, and Bethel, OPA advocates for abused and neglected children in protective proceedings, provides public guardianship for incapacitated adults, advocacy for victims of elder fraud, attorney services for respondents in adult guardianship proceedings, for parents in child in need of aid cases, and conflict criminal cases received from the Public Defender Agency.

The section has high retention and a very amicable staff. There is a focus on teamwork within our section.

The OPA Anchorage office is located in beautiful downtown Anchorage, Alaska. We are located directly across from the Captain Cook Hotel and are in walking distance from many great restaurants and coffee shops and we offer free parking in designated areas.

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position-specific competencies:

1. Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
2. Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
3. Integrity/Honesty: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of ethics.

For a GAL 2, they need all of the above as well as:

1. Law: Knowledge of State and federal laws, including legal and court procedures, regulations, guidelines, precedents, admissibility of evidence, case preparation, and/or settlements for applicable areas of law practiced or supported.
2. Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.

Guardian ad Litem 1
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

1. Advocacy: Develops and presents the client’s, patient’s, and/or customer’s interests in all matters.
2. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
3. Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others.
4. Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Guardian ad Litem 2
Successful completion of a course of developmental training under a formally established Guardian ad Litem flexible staffing training plan with the State of Alaska; OR Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

1. Advocacy: Develops and presents the client’s, patient’s, and/or customer’s interests in all matters.
2. Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities.
3. Law: Knowledge of State and federal laws, including legal and court procedures.
4. Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information effectively to individuals or groups.
5. Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.

“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

APPLICATION NOTICE:
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430.

For specific information in reference to the position, please contact the hiring manager:

Amy Hoagland, Administrative Officer 1
Phone: (907) 269-3518
amy.hoagland@alaska.gov