Family Court Evaluator - Circuit Court

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; some nights and weekends; full-benefits; grant-funded
 
This professional position conducts investigations in disputed child custody cases and private adoptions as ordered by the Court.  The position completes reports for the Court in these cases and provides the Court with recommendations and testimony.  Direction is received from the Custody Evaluator; Supervision is received from the Family Services Administrator,

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.  For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate, with limited exception.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
 Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
• Coming in 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

 

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Conduct custody investigations and home studies for private adoptions as ordered by the Court
• Visit homes to interview and observe families and children who are subjects of the investigations
• Obtain references (in person) and criminal record clearances on individuals who are subjects of the investigations
• Contact other professionals and agencies in the community to acquire additional information and written reports necessary for completion of the investigations
• Report to the Protective Services Division any allegations of child abuse reported during the course of the investigation
• Complete concise and thorough professional reports, providing recommendations to the Court
• As required, testify in Court
• Write letters and prepare correspondence to involved attorneys and out-of-jurisdiction agencies/courts making requests
• Conduct recommendations/settlement conferences in child custody and visitation disputes
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• Master's degree in Social Work
• Current Maryland LCSW-C licensure or current Maryland LMSW licensure (or a clinical social worker with an equivalent level of licensure in any other state that can be transferred to Maryland) 
• Minimum 3 years of work experience with children and/or families

OR

• Master's degree in a human services field
• Current Maryland LCPC licensure
• Minimum 3 years of work experience with children and/or families

OR

• PhD or PsyD
• A Licensed Psychologist
• Minimum 1 year of work experience providing case work with children and/or families

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of human behavior, human growth and development, interviewing techniques and social work principles and methods
• Knowledge of domestic violence, child neglect and abuse, family conflict and dynamics, child and adult development, and impact of divorce and separation on children and adults
• Ability to compile and prepare unbiased, factual reports of findings
• Ability to effectively gather and evaluate information from varied sources
• Ability to prepare professional home study evaluations in clear, concise, thorough format
• Ability to effectively access and utilize automated information systems and other computerized programs
• Ability to work with sensitive, personal information and maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Strong and effective written and spoken (English) communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, the general public and persons from all socio-economic situations

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR: 

• 1 year of work experience providing testimony in the court system

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit, walk, climb, lift up to 20 pounds, reach and perform repetitive motions; occasionally drive; and rarely stoop and lift between 20 and 50 pounds
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors

• Ability to provide own transportation as needed for home visits and other appointments
• Flexible scheduling including evening hours and weekends as needed for home visits
• This position is subject to random drug testing
• The Family Court Evaluator will be required to complete continuing education training and maintain licensure 

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1) An evaluation of training and experience
2) One or more interviews
3) A pre-employment background investigation conducted by the Maryland Judiciary
4) A pre-employment drug test

Salary : $75,001 - $120,002