Guardian ad Litem 1/2 (021652) Job at State of Alaska in Anchorage

What You Will Be Doing:
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.

Our Mission, Values, and Culture:
The Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) provides legal advocacy and guardianship services to vulnerable Alaskans. 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.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:
The section has high retention and a very amicable staff. There is a focus on teamwork within our section.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:
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.

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

• Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Integrity/Honesty: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of ethics.

If you can imagine yourself in this role, we encourage you to apply!
Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions:
This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

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

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

Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Any combination of education, training, and/or experience in legal advocacy, child development, counseling, psychology, social work, social science, behavioral science, health science, public health, criminal justice, or a closely related field.

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:

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

Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Post-secondary education and/or training in legal advocacy, child development, counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related field.

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

Please read the below information carefully. This applies to your application submission.

• The Guardian ad Litem is required to certify to the court, upon filing an entry of appearance, that he/she has completed Guardian ad Litem training through OPA.

• Valid Alaska Drivers License.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY:

This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED:

This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s competencies.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS:

For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions.

EDUCATION:

To verify education is being used to meet the required minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application.

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).

NOTICE:

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE:

Questions regarding application submission should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline.

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 #J-18808-Ljbffr