The National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Association fulfills society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified compassionate adult will fight for and protect an abused or neglected child’s best interest. The mission of the National CASA/GAL Association, together with its state and local member programs, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. But today, only 45% of the children in the system have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer. The National CASA/GAL Association is committed to ensuring that 100% of the children in the system have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer by working with state CASA/GAL organizations.
Breaking New Ground
National CASA/GAL has developed a strategic framework that is informing and guiding our efforts, and plan for the future direction of our organization. The leadership team that will drive these changes will be strategic thinkers, relationship builders, collaborative decision-makers, entrepreneurial achievers, effective communicators, change leaders, inspiring motivators, and culturally competent.
Position Summary:
The State Development Officer works as a member of the Network Development team and is responsible for leadership, oversight, and assistance in the development, strengthening and support of strong state CASA/GAL organizations. The SDO will facilitate the quality review and development of state organizations, by strengthening state organizations that have not met their potential and advancing states to become “highly effective” state organizations. The State Development Officer will be involved in determining the components of an effective state organization in relation to their service to local programs and their state-wide growth and service delivery. The SDO will be the main point of contact and support staff for state directors and state organizations for training and technical assistance.
Partnering Relationships:
The State Development Officer will partner closely with the Chief Program and Network Development Officer and Network Development Team and the Quality, Compliance and Accountability Team. In addition, the SDO will work in collaboration with all cross functional staff in providing consultation, technical assistance, training, and support to state CASA/GAL organizations.
Reporting Relationships:
The State Development Officer will report to the Chief Program and Network Development Officer.
Core Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides leadership, facilitation, support and oversight in the development of strong state CASA/GAL organizations, including helping state organizations achieve highly effective status.
- Provides intensive technical assistance and training to emerging and developing state organizations.
- Provides support, alignment and coordination for local programs that operate without a state organization
- Provides guidance and support to state growth coordinators and state staff responsible for growth and development of local programs and member organizations in a state
- Works in partnership with the Deputy CEO to support advocacy strategies at the state level to ensure strong government relations, state government funding and that the CASA/GAL program is recognized in state statutes.
- Develop partnerships and formal and informal collaborations among strong state organizations and emerging and developing state organizations.
- In those states without a state organization that desires to establish a state organization, it works to develop a vehicle through which a state organization can be established.
- Assists with state organizational assessments and conducts analysis of current state organizations.
- Designs initiatives, programs and projects that strengthen state organizations and support state-wide growth.
- In collaboration with other National CASA/GAL staff and state organization staff, develop customized plans to grow and strengthen individual states based on their needs.
- Develops and maintains current resource materials pertinent to the needs of the state CASA/GAL organizations.
- Conducts HESRP with State Organizations and supports the review of publicly administered state organizations.
- Works closely with other staff in identifying and meeting the special needs of state organizations/networks receiving grants and other resources through National CASA/GAL.
- Responsibilities may include participating in the development of grant applications, selection, and evaluation process.
- Conducts on-site monitoring of state organization grantees to review administrative, programmatic goals and financial elements of grant project implementation.
- Develops written reports and technical assistance materials on issues of timely importance to state CASA/GAL organizations and networks.
- Collaborate with State Directors on designing and implementing innovative practices, models, and ideas to strengthen the network of state CASA/GAL organizations.
- Other responsibilities as needed.
Abilities:
To be successful in this position, the employee must:
- Demonstrate experience with developing or starting non-profit organizations.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively internally and externally.
- Demonstrate ability to embrace and exemplify organizational competencies and values.
- Work well under pressure with deadlines and be skilled in prioritizing responsibilities.
- Demonstrate a commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, state and local program staff, and other supporters.
- Demonstrate a history of continuous improvement through professional development.
- Become a steward and ambassador for the CASA/GAL mission and brand.
Experience and Professional Qualifications:
- 7+ years’ experience in nonprofit management or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.
- Master’s degree in related field preferred; bachelor’s degree with combination of training, education and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties of this position will also be considered.
- Preference given to candidates with prior nonprofit leadership experience or prior work in a membership network environment with a track record of success
- Demonstrated experience successfully changing organizational cultures and working collaboratively in a highly visible environment with diverse groups and skill levels.
- Strong organizational development background with knowledge of and demonstrated experience in capacity building models and initiatives, organizational assessments, organizational development, governance, volunteer recruitment/retention, strategic planning and leadership development.
- Exceptional project management, prioritization and planning skills with demonstrated success producing high quality deliverables on time and within budget.
- Excellent strategic thinking skills with the ability to operationalize concepts and transform ideas into action as well as apply research findings and data analysis to ongoing program development.
- Demonstrated evidence of excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Working knowledge of technology and software applications necessary to perform responsibilities of this position.
- Willingness to travel as necessary Strong ability to approach tasks from a customer service orientation.
- Experience as a trainer/facilitator both in-person and online desired.
Salary & Benefits
National CASA/GAL offers a competitive base salary plus benefits, generous paid leave, and work/life balance policies. This is a full-time exempt position.
Organizational Values
Adaptability ◦ Collaboration ◦ Integrity ◦ Respect ◦ Quality ◦ Service ◦ Stewardship
A cover letter expressing interest in the role along with a resume should be sent to Dharmattie Brush, Human Resources Officer, National CASA/GAL Association, dharmattieb@nationalcasagal.org.
National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children
100 WEST HARRISON, NORTH TOWER, SUITE 140, SEATTLE, WA 98119
www.nationalcasagal.org
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
