Family Court Services Counselor I/II

Description

Applications received by April 23, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. will be considered first.

SALARY RANGE:

NON-LICENSED $36.45 - 49.00/hr.
LICENSED $38.28 - 51.40/hr.

DEFINITION: Under general direction, serves as a Family Court Services Counselor for the Superior Court in Family Law and Dependency cases, and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Family Court Services Counselor series is utilized in the Fresno Superior Court. The series exists to provide a variety of services to the Court including: confidential/non-recommending mediation; child custody recommending counseling; assessment and recommendation regarding minor’s request to marry or establish a domestic partnership; dependency court mediations; stepparent adoption investigations; freedom from parental custody and control investigations; and other services related to the Family Law and Juvenile Court Divisions.

Incumbents are directed by the Court to mediate cases in an attempt to facilitate a settlement of the contested issues in a way that will serve the best interest of the child. Incumbents are also directed by the Court, in specific cases, to provide the Court with developmentally and psychologically appropriate investigative reports and/or recommendations.

The Family Court Services Counselor II is the experienced-level classification in this series. Family Court Services Counselor II differs from Family Court Services Counselor I in that the former are expected to work on their assigned cases with a minimum of supervision and with a greater degree of efficiency, time management skills and professionalism.

Typical Tasks

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: The information listed below is meant to provide samples of essential job functions and responsibilities for positions in this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

All duties are subject to limitations established in the Court Human Resources policies, guidelines, and labor contract provisions. All duties are performed in accordance with California State Law, Rules of Court, and established statutes, rules, and procedures.

Typical tasks:

• Serves as a mediator in confidential/non-recommending Tier 1 mediation cases and shall use their best efforts to effect a settlement of the contested issues that is in the best interest of the child.
• Serves as a counselor in Tier 2 sessions and obtains additional collateral information as directed by the Court. The Tier 2 Counselor shall also submit a report to the court that provides additional assessment and collateral information, as directed by the Court.
• Serves as a counselor in Tier 3 and At-Court Child Custody Recommending Counseling sessions and makes recommendations to the Court as to custody, parenting time and related services.
• Serves as a counselor in underage marriage/registered domestic partnership cases and submits reports and recommendations to the Court.
• Serves as an investigator and reviews, evaluates and writes a report and recommendation regarding petitions related to stepparent adoptions and/or freedom from parental custody and control proceedings.
• Serves as a mediator for Juvenile Dependency Court cases as assigned.
• May provide psycho-educational information and/or make appropriate referrals to community service providers depending upon the need and circumstances in each case.
• Takes initiative to make appropriate Suspected Child Abuse Reports to Child Protective Services as needed.
• Provides court testimony as required.
• Compiles statistics as directed, including but not limited to timely and accurate case management (Odyssey) entries/data.
• Effectively manages a caseload and provides all documents to the Court in a timely manner.
• Participate in the staffing of cases.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Punctual and regular attendance.
• Uses interpersonal and conflict resolution skills in maintaining appropriate boundaries and effectively dealing with parents, judicial officers, colleagues and other court staff to maintain a supportive and productive work environment.
• May perform other Family Court Services functions as required.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in either Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships.

Experience:
Level I: Two (2) years of full-time paid, professional experience in counseling or psychotherapy, preferably with emphasis in family interpersonal relationships.

Level II: Three (3) years of full-time paid, professional experience as a Family Court Mediator/CCRC with Fresno Superior Court.

AND

Additional Information

EXPECTED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

As applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of interviewing adults and children;
• Conflict resolution skills, adult psychopathology and the dynamics of family dysfunction;
• Child development, child abuse, clinical issues relating to children, the effects of divorce on children;
• Substance abuse and domestic violence and the effect on children and families;
• Child custody research sufficient to enable a mediator/counselor to assess the best interest of children;
• The Court system of California and the procedures used in Family Law and Dependency cases;
• Resources in the community that parents can be referred to for assistance;
• Basic computer applications and processes; and
• The Court has ten core competencies, of which nine are significant for this position. They include: Continual Learning, Flexibility, Strategic Thinking, Conflict Management, Team Building, Accountability, Problem Solving, Oral Communication and Written Communication.

• Assess families with multiple and complex psychological, social, cultural and economic issues;
• Identify and address physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well and the effects on children;
• Directly address and assess significant issues that impact the health, safety and welfare of children;
• Compose clear, concise and assertive reports, based on assessment of the parties interviewed and analysis of the information gathered;
• Good self-care skills due to the emotional and sometimes disturbing nature of the information disclosed in session;
• Ability to establish rapport and relate well with people in emotional or trying circumstances;
• Provide customer service that enhances the public’s trust and confidence in the judicial system and work cooperatively with the public, court staff and other agencies and professionals;
• Use patience, tact and courtesy to establish rapport with Judicial Officers, co-workers and the public;
• Strong oral and written communication skills and an ability to work closely with and be a productive part of the Family Court Services staff;
• A high degree of maturity and integrity;
• The ability to work independently to accomplish the work assignment;
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely and accurate manner;
• Handle complex case assignments and extra caseload as needed;
• Adapt work habits to new or unexpected circumstances;
• Cooperatively participate in performance supervision and review
• Operate modern office equipment including copiers, computers, word processors, fax machines and printers;
• Type and enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance;
• Give verbal and written instructions in a clear and concise manner;
• Comprehend and follow verbal and written instructions;
• Maintain regular and consistent work hours
• Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand;
• Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen and to understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences;
• Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand;
• Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.