Mediator (Child Custody Recommending Counselor)

Position:
Under general direction, this position serves as a Child Custody Recommending Counselor (CCRC) responsible for performing child custody recommending counseling mediation, investigations, pre-marital evaluation for underage parents, and other related court services in addition to administrative responsibilities.  This position is directed to mediate disputed custody and visitation cases in an attempt to facilitate a settlement of the custody or visitation disputes in a way that will serve the best interest of the child. This position is also directed to provide the court with developmentally and psychologically appropriate recommendations regarding custody and visitation in the absence of a parental agreement.
 
 
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is a single at-will position and is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
 
This position is part-time at three days a week.  It is assigned two days a week to the Glenn County Superior Court in Orland or Willows, CA and one day per week to the Colusa County Superior Court in Colusa, CA.  Incumbents must be able to travel to all court locations as required, but may be authorized to provide services remotely as deemed appropriate by each court.  This position is expected to handle all Family Court Services functions for the Glenn County Superior Court and to assist with such responsibilities for the Colusa County Superior Court, which includes regular administrative coordination and processing with other court staff. Essential Duties

The following duties are typical of those performed by the incumbent in this classification.  However, other duties may also be required. 
 

• Conducts child custody recommending counseling mediation sessions related to child custody and visitation disputes.
• Interviews parents, children, extended family members, collateral sources and various agencies to develop information regarding domestic, martial, and other aspects of parental responsibilities which directly relate to appropriate recommendations.
• Evaluates and assesses families for referral to appropriate community resources.
• Prepares written stipulations of agreements, recommendations and evaluations to the Court in child custody and visitation cases, guardianships, and stepparent adoptions.
• May conduct pre-marital underage minor evaluations and recommendations to the Court.
• Provides court testimony regarding recommendations.
• Prepares and maintains case files, compiles statistics and keeps records at the request of the Court.
• Conducts child custody investigations and evaluations, as required.
• Conducts mediation or parent orientation classes, as required.
• Provides instruction, seminars and presentations on divorce, dispute resolution, child development or other relevant topics, as directed.
• Attends training sessions, staff meetings, and case consultations 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 and multi-agency collaborative efforts.
• Collects and maintain statistical information pertaining to division operations.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of: 

• The court system of California and applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, statues, rules of court, and procedures used in family law and probate cases;
• Other resources in the community that clients could be referred to for assistance;
• Principles of interviewing, counseling, investigation, and casework; custody research and studies; negotiation theory; court mediation theory and paradigms; reality focused settlement techniques;
• Adult and child development with emphasis on children of divorce; family dynamics and system theory; appropriate parenting arrangements for children of various ages; effects of divorce on children, parents and extended families and their respective rights; crisis intervention techniques;
• Behavioral disorders such as character and mental disorders; substance abuse; domestic violence; child abuse and molestation ;
• Business English, including vocabulary, correct grammatical usage, spelling and punctuation;
• Basic computer applications and processes.

Ability to:

• Understand and apply statutes, rules and case law affecting the Family Court Services Division;
• Obtain and interpret social data from various sources;
• Effectively interview children and adults in a non-confrontational manner; skillfully assess normal and dysfunctional interaction of family members; assess the needs of family members for appropriate outside agency assistance or for further investigative process;
• Deal with small group dynamics involving coalition, hidden agendas, transference and counter-transference; provide assertive intervention in delineating common goals of the parties;
• Provide feedback on findings and actively explore alternative solutions with clients
• Effectively utilize crisis intervention techniques;
• Negotiate via cognitive and communicative problem solving;
• Deal tactfully and interact effectively in situations requiring instructing, persuading, consulting, counseling and motivating people;
• Establish rapport and effective working relationships with clients of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, some of whom may be emotional or uncooperative;
• Reach logical conclusions and exercise sound judgment based on the evaluation of facts and conflicting information;
• Prepare concise reports and records
• Prioritize work and manage time effectively to work within time limits;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Utilize computer technology including desktop computer, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.

 
 
Employment 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: Two (2) years of full-time paid, professional experience in counseling, psychotherapy, or mediation, preferably with emphasis in family interpersonal relationships.  Previous work experience as a probation officer or social worker or performing duties similar to a Court Investigator may be evaluated for substitution purposes for the required education on a year-for-year basis.Additional Information

Criminal History Requirement: Candidates are required to pass a criminal history background check.

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required or the ability to provide alternate transportation that meets job requirements.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be available to a qualified individual with a disability that will enable him/her to perform the essential functions of this position.
 
Ability to sit for extended periods of time; dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; frequent lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; strength, dexterity and coordination and/or ability to use a  computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a daily basis; vision which can be corrected to a level sufficient to read handwritten, typed and computer generated information and data; hearing and speech ability sufficient to enable communication by telephone and in-person; ability to frequently reach for and/or twist for items above and below desk level, sometimes with the assistance of a ladder or stepstool; frequently moves from place to place within the office; frequently walks short distances; and vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus to enable incumbent to decipher color coded files, forms, complete data entry and read operating instructions and procedures.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment an employee will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
 
Work is performed in an office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures, dirt, or dust.  The incumbent's working conditions are typically quiet, but may be loud at times at some locations.  The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.  Travel to visit various court locations across Glenn and Colusa Counties and travel to attend professional meetings and trainings in and outside of those counties is required.  The ability to work productively from a remote location is also required if authorized to provide services remotely by a court.
 
Normal court business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  This position may require occasional long hours, however.

Disclaimer: This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents assigned to this job classification.  It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of incumbents so classified.

Application Process

Please submit a complete online application, including responses to the required supplemental questions, at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/glenncourt.  Applications will not be accepted by other means.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM on November 24, 2022 for initial application review.  The best-qualified candidates will be selected to advance to an interview.