09/11/2026
Eddy County CASA
Job Title: Child Advocate
Location: Eddy County, NM
Employment Type: Full Time, Hybrid
Position Summary:
The Child Advocate provides advocacy and case coordination services for children involved in abuse and neglect proceedings. Serving as the assigned CASA representative, the Child Advocate gathers information, maintains contact with children and key parties, attends court hearings and meetings, and advocates for each child's safety, permanency, well-being, and best interests. This position reports directly to the Eddy County CASA Program Manager.
The Child Advocate works closely with attorneys, child welfare professionals, caregivers, educators, service providers, and the court to ensure children and families have access to advocacy, resources, services, and support throughout the life of the case.
The primary responsibility of this position is ensuring continuity of advocacy and continuity of access to services for children and families. The Child Advocate helps prevent gaps in advocacy, promotes continuity in relationships and communication, and ensures children maintain access to needed supports and resources as case circumstances change.
As part of the CASA program's advocacy model, the Child Advocate helps ensure that abuse and neglect cases referred to the program have access to CASA services. Through direct case involvement and collaboration with CASA volunteers, the Child Advocate promotes continuity of advocacy, continuity of services, and access to resources throughout the life of the case.
This position supports the program's commitment to ensuring every child referred by the court has access to a dedicated advocate and the continuity of advocacy and services needed to achieve positive outcomes.
Essential Duties:
-Serve as the assigned advocate on 10 abuse and neglect cases.
-Build and maintain consistent relationships with children, families, caregivers, and professionals involved in the case.
-Meet regularly with children and maintain ongoing contact throughout the life of the case.
-Gather information from all parties involved, including family members, caregivers, educators, service providers, attorneys, and child welfare professionals.
-Attend court hearings, judicial reviews, family meetings, school meetings, and other case related proceedings.
-Prepare and submit court reports, recommendations, and other required documentation. Monitor compliance with court orders, treatment plans, and case plans.
-Advocate for the child's best interests, safety, permanency, well-being, educational success, and access to services.
-Identify barriers to services and supports and collaborate with stakeholders to address those barriers.
-Promote continuity of advocacy and services by maintaining active involvement throughout the life of the case and facilitating smooth transitions when necessary.
-Monitor case progress and ensure that critical information is shared appropriately with the court and involved professionals.
-Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case documentation.
-Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to support positive outcomes for children and families.
-Participate in program meetings, training, and professional development activities as required.
-Monitor Crime Victims Reparation Commission (CVRC) application tracking for all CASA cases in Eddy County.
Qualifications:
-Must be 21 years of age or older.
-Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, or a related field preferred.
-Experience working with children and families, child welfare, behavioral health, education, juvenile justice, or a related field preferred.
-Knowledge of child welfare systems, trauma-informed practice, child development, and family systems preferred.
-Strong communication, interviewing, organizational, and report-writing skills.
-Ability to analyze information and make sound recommendations regarding a child's best interests.
-Ability to maintain confidentiality and work effectively within the child welfare and court systems.
-Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with children, families, volunteers, community partners, and court stakeholders.
-Commitment to ensuring equitable access to services, supports, and opportunities for children and families.
-Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Core Competencies:
-Child Advocacy
-Case Management
-Trauma-Informed Practice
-Child Welfare Knowledge
-Relationship Building
-Court and Systems Collaboration
-Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
-Professional Ethics and Confidentiality
-Written and Oral Communication
-Cultural Responsiveness
