Program Support Specialist

REPORTS TO: Director of Administration

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

JOB TYPE: Full-time, Non-Exempt

STARTING RATE: $21.15+/hr.  Rate of pay is determined based on experience and qualifications.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Apply online at casakc.org.  Candidates should submit a cover letter expressing their interest in the position, along with a current resume.  No phone calls or emails, please.

ABOUT CASA

Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes community volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect and are under the jurisdiction of the Jackson County Family Court.  Our clients face multiple risks, including permanent separation from their birth families due to factors such as substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and intimate partner violence.  These challenges are often rooted in poverty, community violence, and intergenerational trauma.

To mitigate these risks, CASA Volunteer Advocates and staff engage in fact-finding and relationship-building with child clients to assess their needs and make informed recommendations to the court.  Collaboration with children and their families is a core value of our work and is essential to achieving effective advocacy and just outcomes within a complex child welfare system.

Our model is simple: each child is assigned a rigorously screened and extensively trained Volunteer Advocate and Staff Attorney who work together to represent the child's best interests. This team is supported by staff social workers and child welfare experts, providing individualized advocacy grounded in evidence-based practices. Together, they help ensure the best possible outcomes for children and increase the likelihood of safe family reunification.

OUR VALUES

Connection: We believe that every person deserves meaningful relationships with supportive and loving adults, family, and community and preservation of their cultural heritage, traditions, and identity.

Respect: We value people of all backgrounds and identities and believe that every person deserves to be honored, included, and heard.

Collaboration: We recognize that effective progress and problem-solving require diverse voices, ideas, and perspectives.

Integrity: We honor our commitments to our children and the Court with transparency, honesty, and fairness.

Responsibility: We maximize our resources and support through accountability to our children, stakeholders, and community.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Support Specialist will provide administrative support to the organization’s program departments. The Program Support Specialist will be responsible for the maintenance of legal documents, files, and will manage multiple calendars with excellent attention to detail in an environment that is fast-paced and handles highly confidential material.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSILITIES

• Process, manage, and maintain electronic mail, court records, and other
• Manage the agency’s internal docket calendar for all Staff Attorneys, Advocate Supervisors, Case Specialists, and Volunteer Advocates.
• Maintain accurate case information, such as case numbers, documents, and hearing dates, in the agency’s electronic database
• Create and maintain internal legal files, both hard-copy and electronic, as well as prepare hard-copy files for court
• Provide support to program staff by completing data entry, opening and closing hard-copy case files, and creating information packets for clients and volunteers.
• Prepare, proofread, and process legal documents such as motions, subpoenas, affidavits, records requests, and other pleadings. May be required to serve
• Operate a computer to access Microsoft Outlook, net, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and other office support software.
• Mail, fax, and pick-up and deliver legal correspondence. May assist with electronic filing of legal
• Attend meetings to take notes and provide other
• Receive and place telephone calls and transfer calls
• Interact with staff, volunteers, clients, and community partners in a respectful and courteous

OTHER DUTIES

• Provide back-up support to other administrative staff, as
• Actively engage in learning new ways to perform essential job
• Perform other duties, as

PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY & DEVELOPMENT

• Share in the agency-wide responsibility of Volunteer Advocate recruitment, engagement, and
• Adhere to Jackson County CASA’s confidentiality
• Complete CASA Pre-Service Training within three months of start
• Complete a minimum of 12 hours of annual continuing education
• Embrace a culture of continued development by participating in an annual performance review with the Director of Administration and document one’s own milestones and achievements, as well as opportunities for
• Maintain a positive image of Jackson County CASA and provide excellent customer service at all
• Act in the best interest of Jackson County CASA and its clients at all

SOFTWARE USED

• Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Internet browsers
• OPTIMA

TOOLS USED

• Laptop and desktop computers
• Fax machine
• Copy machine
• Landline telephone

QUALIFICATIONS and ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or recognized equivalent; associate degree or higher
• Paralegal or legal secretary certificate
• Minimum of two years’ relevant work experience in the legal field. Juvenile or family court experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

BASIC SKILLS

• Working knowledge of office practices and
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of word processing applications, database management, and
• Ability to learn and apply filing systems and to arrange and place records into a proper
• Excellent attention to detail, including the ability to complete essential duties that are free of
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and stay focused on Must be able to manage everyday tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

• Ability to work with minimal
• Conscientious, thorough, and accurate when performing job
• Self-motivated and actively looks for ways to support
• Respectful when working with staff, volunteers, clients, and community
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships in a diverse and inclusive
• Must be able to demonstrate adaptability due to the potential for changing duties and responsibilities during the agency’s expansion. Optimism is a
• Commitment to Jackson County CASA’s mission and

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must submit to and pass a criminal and child abuse and neglect background check.

SCHEDULE and WORK LOCATION

Full-time (40 hours per week). Hours are 8:30am-5pm, M-F. All work hours are required to be performed on-site at Jackson County CASA’s annex location: 30 W Pershing, Suite 201, KCMO 64108.

PHYSICAL and MENTAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Prolonged periods of both standing, walking, and sitting at a desk and working on a computer will be required. Will be required to use hands and fingers frequently. Will climb and descend stairs, grasp, handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, and controls. Will be required to bend, kneel, and crouch; speak, hear, and read both in quiet, loud, private and public settings, both large and In-office and out-of-office public contact with people. Vision abilities include close and distant vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 25
• The noise level of the office environment is often low to moderate. Position is subject to the usual office interruptions associated with providing service and performing multiple duties in an office
• In-person contact with people inside and outside the office environment will be
• Proper grooming and hygiene are required. Attire for this position is generally business casual but there may be times that attire is professional, as determined by the
• Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and

BENEFITS

Benefits include 15 days paid time off & 15 days paid leave earned within the first year of employment, and paid holidays. 100% employer paid health insurance option options, 100% employer paid dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. Simple IRA with match. Employee Assistance Program.  Parking costs covered by employer. Jackson County CASA is a child-centered, supportive, and collegial work environment.

OUR COMMITMENT

Jackson County CASA is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer committed to building and supporting a

culturally diverse and inclusive work environment that values all staff members’ backgrounds and perspectives. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability or veteran status. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

This job description provides a general, but not comprehensive, list of essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment and Jackson County CASA reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.