Child Custody Recommending Counselor

THIS IS A PART TIME POSITION WITH FULL BENEFITS

Job Title:    Child Custody Recommending Counselor         

Reports to:  Family Law Facilitator                                        FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Updated:     October 2024                                                

POSITION SUMMARY 

Child Custody Recommending Counselor is a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) professional who, under general direction: provides mediation services and recommendations to the Family Law Court regarding legally contested child custody and visitation matters; mediates disputes; conducts investigations; makes child custody and visitation recommendations to the judicial officers of the Superior Court; provides marital and family counseling; and makes referrals to community resources and support services for adults and children.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Child Custody Recommending Counselor is fully knowledgeable and competent to perform all the duties and responsibilities set forth which includes complex/difficult mediations. This is not a supervisory class. An incumbent performs professional legal work and research with minimal guidance.  An incumbent may perform special projects and assignments. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (Essential duties may vary from position to position within this classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law.)

• To conduct mediation and investigations proceedings in family law/guardianship cases;
• To prepare written recommendations required to assist the court in resolving contested issues;
• To support the Court’s decision making process by mediating disputes;
• To serve as the Court’s expert witness when necessary;
• To engage in marital and family counseling;
• Mediates with parents to arrive at mutually acceptable resolutions in the best interest of the children, presents written reports to the court and attorneys for the parties regarding agreements reached as a result of mediation;
• Interviews parties involved in disputes and other matters before the court to assess potential for settlement or resolution;
• Interviews collateral sources and various agencies to develop information regarding domestic, marital, and other aspects of parental responsibilities which directly relate to appropriate recommendations;
• Evaluates and assesses families for referral to appropriate community resources;
• Prepares written recommendations and evaluations to the Court in child custody and visitation cases, guardianships and stepparent adoptions;
• Prepares and maintains case files, reports, compiles statistics and keeps records at the request of the court or CEO;
• Conducts oral or written orientations/parent education classes as required to facilitate the parties' understanding of the process;
• Provides instruction, seminars and presentations on divorce, dispute resolution, child development or other relevant topics as directed;
• Attends training sessions, staff meetings, case consultation and maintains up-to-date information concerning family assessment, family dynamics, mediation and family law;
• Abides by professional and ethical standards as mandated and prescribed in the California Family Code, Rules of Court and Mediation Standards;
• Assists in the coordination of various court based service programs including multi-agency collaborative efforts;
• Prepares booklets, pamphlets, and informational literature about the mediation process; and
• Conducts and participates in various research and survey projects related to Family Services Division and the work of the Court.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• General knowledge of the California Court system, Civil Code, Family Law policies and procedures, case and statutory law and the Code of Ethics for California Court Employees;
• Principles, practices, and theories of adult, adolescent, and child psychopathology and the psychopathology of families; child development; the effects of divorce on children; principles and methods of case management; crisis intervention, mediation and risk evaluation techniques; family therapy techniques; child abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and chemical dependency issues;
• Effective counseling and interviewing techniques; adult and child development, child abuse (neglect, elements of physical and sexual abuse); domestic violence; substance abuse; clinical issues relating to children; the effects of divorce on children; research of child custody cases sufficient to enable assessment of the mental health needs of children; psychology of families; adult and child psychopathology; and community resources to which clients can be referred for assistance;
• Community resources and agencies providing support services for adults and children suffering from the effects of divorce;
• Legal language and requirements for recommendations to the Court and stipulated agreements; and
• Adult psychopathology and the psychology of families.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Working with diverse cultural populations;
• Written and oral communication skills necessary to present findings, recommendations and to discuss complex emotional issues;
• Mediating and evaluating family law disputes; assessing potential risk from violence, substance abuse, and physical/sexual abuse; preparing parenting plans; establishing working relationships with individuals of varying cultural/socio-economic backgrounds;
• Protecting clients’ rights and exercising considerable discretion with respect to completing assignments and duties;
• Analyzing complex situations and problems, evaluating alternatives, and adopting effective courses of action in the absence of easily applied rules;
• Establishing and maintaining effective communications and relations with clients, judges, community agencies, co-workers and the public;
• Mitigating conflict and interviewing clients from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds;
• Understanding and applying statutes, rules and case law affecting family and juvenile matters;
• Obtaining and interpreting social data from various sources;
• Dealing with small group dynamics involving coalition, hidden agendas, transference and counter-transference and providing assertive intervention in delineating common goals of the parties;
• Providing feedback on findings to, and actively explore alternative solutions with, clients;
• Utilizing crisis intervention techniques; and
• Mediation techniques, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, family assessment, interviewing techniques, interpersonal dynamics, verbal and written communication skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

As stated in the California Family Code §§ 1815 and 3164, employees for this classification must have these minimum qualifications.

• A master’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships.
• At least two years of experience in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the areas of responsibility of the family conciliation court and with the population to be served.
• Knowledge of the court system of California and the procedures used in family law cases.
• Knowledge of other resources in the community that clients can be referred to for assistance.
• Knowledge of adult psychopathology and the psychology of families.
• Knowledge of child development, child abuse, clinical issues relating to children, the effects of divorce on children, the effects of domestic violence on children, and child custody research sufficient to enable a counselor to assess the mental health needs of children.
• Training in domestic violence issues as described in Family Code Section 1816.
• The court may substitute additional experience for a portion of the education, or additional education for a portion of the experience required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• California Class “C” Driver’s License needed at the time of appointment.
• Must pass a background investigation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or are encountered by an employee while successfully performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regularly Required

• Sit at a desk and/or in front of a computer terminal
• Twist and bend neck
• Repetitive hand movement while performing computer data entry as well as writing
• Stand while assisting employees or the public.
• Reach above and below shoulder height
• Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 10 lbs.
• Push and/or pull drawers of desk and/or file cabinets

            Frequently Required

• Kneel, crouch and stoop while retrieving materials from shelves and cabinets
• Tolerate mild exposure to dust
• Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 25 lbs.

            Occasionally Required

• Move items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Crawl and/or climb while retrieving materials
• Drive to various meeting locations

Salary : $40 - $48