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Council approves CASA executive director job description that can require a law degree
Summary
Delaware County Council approved a new job description May 27 for the executive director of CASA that allows the county to hire an attorney (admitted to practice in Indiana) if applicants meet that qualification; the council also heard there is an interim director in place while hiring proceeds.
The Delaware County Council approved a revised job description for the executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) on May 27 that permits the county to hire an attorney — including a candidate admitted to practice before the Indiana Supreme Court — if the applicant pool includes qualified lawyers.
Members of the county’s job classification committee summarized changes to the posting that add legal duties such as assisting staff "in preparation of motions and pleadings" and specify that an incumbent "must be admitted to practice by and in good standing with the Indiana Supreme Court," language the committee added to reflect recent case complexity.
Court administration staff said the county posted the job under the current description while the revised description was prepared because the county needed to start recruiting immediately. Staff said the advertised salary range allows consideration of candidates up to including those with a juris doctor; if no attorneys apply, the county will revert to the existing non‑attorney description and salary placement.
Council members and staff discussed reasons for the change: committee members and staff said an attorney-director helps explain legal decisions to CASA staff, can file motions or step into court matters when appropriate, and is a practice used in other counties. The meeting record states judges have expressed support for having an attorney in the director role.
The council approved the job description by roll call. Staff also reported an interim director, Karen Zabel, will run the program until a permanent hire is made.
