Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Investigator

SUPERIOR COURT

COUNTY OF MADERA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXAMINATION

 Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Investigator

 Monthly Salary:  $6,487 – $7,886*

 *Individuals with Bilingual Spanish Skills are encouraged to apply

Final Filing Date: April 4, 2025

The Madera County Superior Court encourages a positive work-life balance and offers a competitive benefits package:

• Experienced Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Investigators with years of services are encouraged to apply.
• The Madera County Superior Court offers membership into CalPERS and for Classic Members a 2.7% at 55 retirement benefit formula for individuals in a California Government Retirement System on or before 12/31/2012, or new employees a 2% at 62 retirement benefit formula.
• Retirement from Madera County Superior Court includes lifelong employer contributions towards health benefit plans. Once retired, employees will receive the normal employer contribution towards health insurance premiums pursuant to the CalPERS retirement schedule.
• *The Madera County Superior Court CEO may consider hiring above the entry level A step based on years of experience. 

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THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Director of Family Court Services, to mediate disputes involving child custody and visitation; to investigate complex cases involving child custody disagreements, step-parent adoptions and guardianships, and probate conservatorships; to prepare a variety of court reports and recommendations; and to do related work as required.  Exercises no supervision.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides guidance and counseling to cases referred by the Court; conducts child custody and visitation mediation.
• Meets with parties involved in custody and visitation disputes.
• Works through differences with involved parties and develops recommendations for the Court.
• Investigates allegations concerning child custody.
• Prepares written reports of recommendations for the court at the completion of investigations.
• Gathers relevant materials and develops recommendations concerning stepparent adoptions, guardianships, and other related custody matters. 
• Interviews conservators and proposed conservatee for conservatorship cases.
• Explains conservatorship procedures and develops recommendations concerning the appropriateness of proposed conservatorship.  
• Provides a variety of information about functions to others.

• Coordinates activities with community organizations, school authorities, therapists,
• State and local organizations and other outside agencies.
• Prepares court reports, social case histories, correspondence, and other documents as necessary.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Stays abreast of current legislation regarding custody evaluation, domestic violence, and related issues. 
• Represents Family Court Services at conferences and meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

The court system of California and the procedures used in family law cases.

Community resources to which clients can be referred for assistance.

Adult psychopathology, family psychology and system dynamics.

Child development theory and clinical issues related to children.

Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to child abuse, the effects of divorce on children, and child custody research.

Principles of case management and interviewing principles and techniques.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, and regulations including those affecting conciliation/mediation work and mental health issues.

Skill to:

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.

Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

Perform specialized mediation and investigative work involving family law and child custody.

Conduct specialized interviews to assess the mental health needs of children and adults.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and develop recommendations in support of goals.

Develop and prepare a variety of records and reports.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES: 

Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Requires two years of responsible work experience in counseling or psychotherapy, preferably in a setting related to family conciliation for the courts and with a population similar to that served by the County AND equivalent to a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Ability to work in a standard office environment.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE: 

Possession of, or ability to obtain an appropriate valid driver’s license or must be able to provide self-arranged transportation to primary work location.

The employee may be required proof of a valid driver’s license before authorized to drive a vehicle on court approved business.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS:

The final candidate will be required to submit to Live Scan Fingerprinting as a condition of employment should an offer be made.  In addition, the final candidate will be required to submit verification of identity, citizenship or legal right to work in the United States.  

EXAMINATION PROCESS: 

An examination for the purpose of appraising the candidate’s education, experience, and personal qualifications will be scheduled for those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications, and may be administered either by a written examination, oral interview, evaluation of education and experience, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Superior Court Personnel Division to be appropriate.  Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the examination process.  The Superior Court Human Resources Division will make reasonable accommodations during the examination process for disabled applicants.  Madera County Superior Court does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, or age in any of its programs or activities.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: 

Benefits of employment with the Superior Court, County of Madera includes 13 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per year, 1 sick leave day per month (unlimited accrual); Appointed to a permanent position shall be granted 5 days credit for vacation following the completion of 6 calendar months of continuous paid full-time service and following the completion of 12 calendar months of continuous paid full-time service in a permanent position will be credited 5 additional vacation days, vacation accrual increasing thereafter with years of service (50 days max accrual); 10 days management leave per fiscal year; Membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) pursuant to the provisions of  California’s 2013 Pension Reform Act (Act) and CalPERS Regulations.  For those individuals with current or prior CalPERS membership status or “classic member” will be eligible for an enhanced 2.7% @ 55 retirement formula; employee contributes 8%. 

Individuals with no current or prior CalPERS membership status and who are defined as “new members” or new employees under the Act will be eligible for the 2% @ 62 retirement benefit formula; employee contributes 7.75%.  Superior Court participates in the CalPERS Health Benefit Program, and for certain selected health plans, the Superior Court pays 100% of health insurance premium for employee and 50% for either two-party or family coverage.

Bilingual compensation (from $50 - $75 per month) is available for qualified individuals that speak, read, write proficiently in the Spanish language.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please review the Application Guidelines for requirements.  Interested persons are to submit an official application and the supplemental questionnaire attached are required to apply.  A resume may be included with the application but will not be accepted in lieu of an official application.   An application may be obtained by accessing the Madera Superior Court website at www.madera.courts.ca.gov or by visiting the Madera Superior Courts Human Resources Division.  Office hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

APPLY ON-LINE, MAILED AND E-MAIL APPLICATIONS

The application can be completed on-line by accessing the Madera Superior Court website at https://www.madera.courts.ca.gov/general-information/job-openings. If an application is mailed or e-mailed, the application and the supplemental questionnaire and all required documentation must be received by the final closing date.  An application may be mailed or e-mailed to: 

Madera Superior Court - Human Resources Division

200 South G Street, Madera, Ca. 93637

HR@madera.courts.ca.gov

NOTE:  Postmarks are not accepted. 

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS:

If you are a person with a disability and in need of accommodations during your interview, please contact our office at (559) 416-5517.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.  THE MADERA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN.  SUCH REVISIONS WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MADERA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT PERSONNEL POLICIES AND STANDARDS.  QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE MADERA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION.

Salary : $50 - $75