Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program Regional Coordinator

The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program Regional Coordinator provides support for a volunteer advocacy program and its volunteers who advocate for children involved with the court system. This position combines, volunteer recruitment, program development, training facilitation, community outreach, and stakeholder relationship management to ensure the effective operation of the GAL program within an assigned geographic region. The person who fills this position will be assigned responsibility for Caledonia, Orleans, Lamoille, and Essex counties and will designate their primary workstation to be at the court in Newport or St. Johnsbury. 

The GAL Coordinator as part of a statewide team is responsible for recruiting, screening, training, and supporting volunteer Guardians ad Litem while ensuring compliance with state laws, program policies, best practices and quality standards. The role serves as a key liaison between volunteers, judges, court staff, attorneys, social service agencies, and community organizations, promoting collaboration and advancing the program's mission. The position also plays an important role in public education and outreach, increasing awareness of volunteer opportunities and advocating for the needs of the program and its volunteers.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and mission-driven professional who is comfortable working independently while engaging with a broad network of volunteers, court personnel, and community partners to support positive outcomes for children and families.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Program Management and Coordination
• Volunteer Recruitment and Development
• Training and Facilitation
• Community Outreach and Relationship Building
• Court, Child Welfare, or Human Services Experience
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Data, Reporting, and Technology

This is a full-time opening covering Caledonia, Orleans, Lamoille, and Essex counties and the individual will designate their primary workstation to be at the court in Newport or St. Johnsbury. Starting salary is $27.50 per hour. The GAL Coordinator is a non-exempt Judicial Branch position equivalent to pay grade 23. The State of Vermont’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation.

Benefits

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 12 vacation days earned per year, 12 sick leave days earned per year, 13 paid holidays each year
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low-cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree  

Experience: Four years at or above a technical or professional level in social work, psychology, child development, mediation, family counseling or related judicial/legal setting. 

Graduate work in counseling or related field may be substituted for up to one year of experience on a semester for six-month basis.  Completion of a one-year program in paralegal studies/mediation may be substituted for six months of experience. 

Note: Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a six-months for semester basis.

Summary of Duties

• Manages and facilitates regular in-service training and administrative meetings for GALs. 
• Serves as a statewide GAL training facilitator following statewide training standards. 
• Recruits and screens new GALs as needed in consideration of needs of the court and case load performance goals under statewide policies and procedures. 
• Increases public awareness of the volunteer Guardian ad Litem program, including drafting media notices and speaking to community groups and other interested organizations. 
• Works collaboratively and communicates effectively with Judges, Court Clerks, court staff and the court’s justice partners. 
• Ensures compliance with state law and program policies and procedures for quality assurance. 
• Informs GALS of available community resources. 
• Processes and responds to complaints regarding volunteers or program in compliance with program policies and procedures; addresses systemic issues impacting GALS. 
• Prepares periodic financial, performance, and other reports as requested.
• Utilizes software applications for financial and performance reporting as required; obtains information from court case management system as needed.
• Identifies and recommends effective approaches to improve the operations of the program. 
• Apply principles of training and facilitation, including adult learning principles. 
• Establish collaborative relationships with court staff, judicial officers, court administration, social service agencies and community organizations. 
• Ability to effectively advocate for volunteer GALS and GAL Program.

Scheduled hours of work generally conform to public court hours, but assignments may extend beyond those hours. Occasional travel to other courts within the State of Vermont may be required. Travel will be reimbursed according to State policies. This position will be eligible for longevity increases in accordance with the State step pay plan and annual cost of living increases as enacted by the Vermont State Legislature. Job Code # 26027

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills in all state government positions. The Judicial Branch is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and the recruitment process is designed to treat all applicants equitably.

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