Forensic Family Clinician (8 vacancies and to establish a list)

SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the unit supervisor, this position, assists the Court in resolving domestic relations disputes by providing psycho-social assessments and/or mediation services; provides families involved in domestic relations disputes with alternative dispute resolution and evaluations concerning child support, custody, parenting time, and other family issues in accordance with State and Federal law; provides assessment and  psychotherapeutic services,  to  children, families, and adults involved with the Juvenile Court.  Employees in this title are expected to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
•    Develops and provides evaluative services to jurists through parental involvement, assessments/mediation, and collateral contacts.
•    Provides strength-based treatment planning and therapy services via outpatient therapy for competency restoration and sex offender programing. 
•    Supervises graduate level students (interns) as necessary; and serves as an administrative backup to the unit supervisor.
•    Assists with planning, development, and the implementation of programs and procedures.
•    Assess litigants and children to provide recommendations to the Court regarding child support, and the custody, change of domicile, and parenting time of children.
•    Assess children and parents to provide recommendations to the Court regarding the best interest of children in protective hearings and adoption matters.
•    Assess youth to provide recommendations to the Court regarding delinquency matters, utilizing a risk and needs assessment, mental health screener and matrix.
•    Provides expert testimony to the Court as requested/needed.
•    Ensures that documentation requirements of case activities are met by maintaining current case and statistical records, including as applicable complying with all Court, Clinic, Community Mental Health, Medicaid and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards.
•    Generates documents and correspondence, including composition, proofreading, and checking work for accuracy.
•    Provides youths and families with referrals to professionals and resources that assist with treatment. Performs other duties as assigned.
 

QUALIFICATIONS:
•    Master’s degree or higher Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Counseling, from an accredited college or university.
•    One (1) year of experience providing therapeutic services assessments and/or mediation services for children and families (may include legal conflicts regarding child custody and/or parenting time).
•    Current Michigan Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC), all of which must be in good standing.
•    Proficient using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and relevant software and systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
•    Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce positive results.
•    Ability to ask and answer questions and to explain Court procedures to internal and external customers in a courteous and professional manner.
•    Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas with internal and external customers in plain language that they can understand.
•    Ability to deal calmly and effectively in high stress situations.
•    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, employees, officials and external contacts.
•    Ability to interact with those from various backgrounds; to identify and understand the speech of another person.
•    Ability to meet and interact with the public and deal courteously and effectively with their questions or problems, seeking assistance when needed.
•    Ability to operate office equipment.
•    Ability to perform psychological testing concerning children, adolescents, and adults.
•    Ability to understand and carry out instructions and to request clarification when needed.
•    Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
•    Broad knowledge of community resources.
•    Excellent communication skills for preparing reports and recommendations.
•    Skill in managing one’s own time.
•    Working knowledge of Court processes and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
•    Normally a typical customer service office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise.
•    Some assignments must be performed in a field environment and/or detention facility.
 •    Employees in this title may encounter individuals who may be under duress.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
•    Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time to perform job functions.
•    Ability to detect, create, and interpret documents.
•    Operate a computer and other office machinery, items, or equipment.
•    Position self to move from one place to another.
•    Communicate with clients, co-workers, and others.
•    Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
•    Candidates considered for placement in this job title will be subject to a criminal and/or IV-D background investigation and subsequent fingerprinting every five years.
•    Current Michigan Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC), all of which must be in good standing.
•    In certain assignments, the candidate must be qualified as a mediator under MCR 3.216 or become qualified as a mediator under MCR 3.216 within six (6) months of assignment.
•    In certain assignments must attend training and pass the exam for qualified forensic juvenile mental health professionals within six (6) months of hire per MCL 712A.1(o).
•    Must possess (at time of application) and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license, no fault insurance and access to a vehicle to use in the performance of assigned duties.

 
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the title.  Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Specific job duties vary from position to position.

NOTES:

11/2/2016        Title Created
08/14/2017      Updated for content and format                    
09/21/2021    Updated for content
09/17/2024    Updated for content (essential functions)