The National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Association for Children fulfills society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified and compassionate adult will fight for and protect an abused or neglected child’s best interests. The mission of National CASA, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court‐appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive. Today, only 40% of the children that have experienced abuse or neglect in the system have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer – The National CASA/GAL organization is committed to ensuring 100% of these children have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer.
Breaking New Ground
National CASA/GAL launched a multi-year campaign, “Change a Child’s Story”. The campaign is an integrated campaign designed to reach out to a wide range of constituent groups and was deployed across a wide spectrum of media. In addition to this campaign, National CASA/GAL has developed a new strategic framework that is informing and guiding our efforts through a major reorganization, development of a new business model, and a plan for the future direction of our organization, including the launching of a major capital campaign. The team that will drive these changes will be hands on leaders, critical thinkers and problem solvers, relationship builders, collaborative decision-makers, as well as effective communicators, and entrepreneurial and change leaders.
Position Summary:
The Network and Community Engagement Officer partners with the Chief Executive Officer to advance strategic plan initiatives by providing strategic and operational leadership efforts to engage CASA/GAL staff and volunteer involvement on leadership councils, committees, and other efforts to advance our mission and advance the goals and strategies outlined in the strategic plan. The Officer will also lead efforts to engage the community to include the development Family and Youth Advisory Councils and other efforts to engage the community and engage more volunteers. In addition, the Officer will manage, coordinate, execute and lead network engagement to include monthly leadership council meetings, coordination and oversight of network committees, and quarterly Affinity Group Calls, special projects and other efforts
Reporting Relationships:
The Network and Community Engagement Officer reports to the Sr. Executive Communications Officer.
Direct Reports Include Associate Director Member Services, Network Engagement and Director Volunteer Administration and members of the Member Services Team.
Core Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manages and provides leadership and direction for the Leadership Councils, Committees, Affinity Group Calls, including managing the recruitment process, the announcements, follow-up, coordination, and management of the work plan, work to prep for the agendas and conduct the pre-planning meetings working closely with the Executive Assistant.
- Develops strategies and initiatives to engage young adults that were formerly in the Foster Care System and Families that can inform National CASA/GAL efforts to strengthen and support families
- Leads the development for external advisory councils and the recruitment of committee members for national level committees and for advisory and Board membership.
- Prepares annual work plans for all leadership councils and conducts leadership council meetings and affinity group call meetings.
- Oversees efforts to recruit, engage and retain volunteers.
- Establishes national partnerships with organizations and corporations to engage more volunteers.
- Develops standard operating procedures for the operation of leadership councils and committees to ensure consistency and alignment of plans and activities.
- Keeps up to date records and rosters, files on all committees and councils as well as State Director Rosters.
- Manages the network engagement pathway to ensure that documents that are being reviewed follow the pathway order and receive the needed approvals
- Coordinates National CASA/GAL onboarding and orientation for all new executive directors both state and local.
- Works with other network development members to ensure network engagement and development opportunities are made available and communicated across the CASA/GAL Network.
- Addresses network customer service issues and engage the appropriate National CASA/GAL Staff Members to resolve customer needs and request.
- Collects and coordinates identified network needs for support, training and services.
- Manage the files for the leadership councils, and manage getting the information up on the member portal.
- Manage the orientation program for new program directors. This includes offering quarterly orientations.
- Assist in developing new tools, resources for new executive directors
- Ensuring new program directors are welcomed and they receive a new membership packet.
- Manage the awards of excellence process
- Ensures the consistent dissemination of information and messages for all committees and councils.
- Seeks opportunities to highlight and recognize the work of the CASA/GAL Association, its network, staff and volunteers through the gathering of stories and best practices.
- Manages and ensures information moving through the network engagement pathway.
- Develops operation standards, coordinates the recruitment, engagement and development of plans in partnership with assigned staff for each Network Committee and Local Council to ensure high levels of network engagement and value in serving on these committees or councils.
Experience, Qualifications and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field required.
- 8-10 years of experience in 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.
- Strong understanding of state and local programs trends and needs within a broad network
- Outstanding personal communication skills and high degree of emotional intelligence, with a proven track record of exceptional relationship-building with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders
- Expertise in motivating and leading groups, setting objectives, and managing performance
- Innovative thinker and problem solver, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and results
- Comfortable taking a team-oriented approach to problem solving
- Self-motivated and able to work independently and also as part of a team that includes not just our internal and Board but also our members, chapters, and partners across the country
- Mission-driven individual with demonstrated interest in the state and local profit sector and issues related to CASA/GAL Network
- Willingness to travel as necessary (10-25% of the time);
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work with senior level management, staff, and external constituents;
- Demonstrated flexibility, mature judgment and ability to function professionally under stress;
- Strong ability to approach tasks from a customer service orientation;
- 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.
- Demonstrate high levels of professionalism.
- Ability to work across the organization with multiple functions to ensure quality, and excellence in the work product
Compensation & Benefits
National CASA/GAL offers competitive compensation and benefits package, and generous paid leave. This is a full-time exempt position.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter to dharmattieb@nationalcasagal.org.
Organizational Values
Adaptability ◦ Collaboration ◦ Integrity ◦ Respect ◦ Quality ◦ Service ◦ Stewardship
National CASA/GAL is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with an office in Atlanta, GA, and is committed to a welcoming workplace environment.
National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children
www.nationalcasagal.org
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER