Mediator/Child Custody Recommending Counselor, Bilingual (PART-TIME)

Completed applications must be received by Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 10:00 p.m. for first consideration and review.
Applications received after the due date will be reviewed and considered on a competitive basis only. The recruitment for the Mediator/Child Custody Recommending Counselor, Bilingual (Spanish), part-time position will remain open until filled.

In order to be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit the following documents:

1. Court Application;
2. Proof of the equivalent to a Master's or doctoral degree and License as a: Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage Family Child Counseling (LFMT) or Clinical Psychologist issued by the State of California (if applicable) ;
3. Cover Letter;
4. Resume; and
5. Responses to the Supplemental Questions.

Failure to post all required documents will automatically result in being eliminated from the recruitment.

After a thorough review, those candidates who best exhibit the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities in their application materials will be invited to continue the recruitment process, which may include:

1. Pre-Interview Exercise or Exam and
2. Panel Interview(s).

Part-time will consist of 20 to 32 hours per week.

DEFINITION
Under general direction, serve as a Mediator and Child Custody Recommending Counselor (CCRC) for the Superior Court in a variety of child custody and visitation disputes arising from cases filed with the court; conduct domestic violence assessments in cases involving parties with children; conduct child observations, evaluate social, family, and environmental dynamics and other aspects of parental responsibilities which directly relate to formulating child custody recommendations; perform related duties.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a highly specialized, experienced and professional job classification for positions which perform brief conflict interventions, confidential mediation, child custody recommending counselling, at-court interventions, and associated other activities for Family Court proceedings.Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work, and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

1. Review assigned court case files to prioritize conducting interventions, mediations and/or recommending counselling, and completion of reports.

2. Conduct at-court intervention sessions as needed; meet with parties to explain process and explore options; refer inquiries from clients, attorneys, parents, community agencies and others to appropriate staff or outside agencies; educate clients about the court system and mediation process and procedures; encourage parental involvement in the mediation process, report agreements or summarize disagreements on record in court following session.

3. Conduct confidential mediation of assigned cases, conduct interviews of parties involved and facilitate and encourage negotiations between involved parties during the mediation process to construct mutually acceptable resolution of disputes, use his or her best efforts to affect a settlement of the custody or visitation dispute that is in the best interest of the child; where needed, develop, complete and submit parent agreements in a formal court order format.

4. Conduct recommending counseling of assigned cases; work with various parties and agencies such as the Department of Social Services (DSS), parents, children (as directed by the hearing officer), attorneys and county counsel; conduct conferences and interviews with parties to obtain a clear understanding of the diverse views, perspectives and legal positions; examine the needs of involved children; facilitate negotiations; encourage and obtain significant input from involved parties during the process and in the absence of a parental agreement prepare solution-focused, developmentally and psychologically appropriate recommendations to the Court that are in the best interest of the child.

5. Perform investigations in Step Parent Adoption, Termination of Parental Rights, and Marriage of Minor cases and submit completed investigation reports to the court in a timely manner. Investigations include making contact with outside agencies and professionals, reviewing extensive paperwork, interviewing parties, including minors, and viewing the home of the party(ies) via remote means.

6. During sessions, observe and assess risk factors, including domestic violence, child abuse issues and potential for danger to self and others and take appropriate action; report child abuse and neglect cases to appropriate authorities in accordance with statutory requirements; when intensive or continued counseling is appropriate, identify and make referrals to appropriate community resources; complete necessary reports and contact pertinent agencies including DSS, attorneys, mental health agencies and law enforcement personnel as necessary and required by law.

7. Provide expert professional psycho-educational information and/or make appropriate referrals to community service providers depending upon the need and circumstances in each individual case to clients, attorneys, the Court and the public; keep abreast of current developments in family law and clinical studies, trends and requirements pertaining to child development, parenting plans, social service policies and regulations, clinical studies and other information and trends in healthy family relationships, mediation and alternative dispute resolution and mental health.

8. Perform specialized administrative duties related to areas of responsibility; compose and maintain up-to-date case histories and summaries, effectively manages a caseload and provide agreements and/or reports and recommendations to the Court in a timely manner, participate in Family Court Services staff or case conferencing meetings, and keep and submit statistics and records.

9. Participate in training institutes and recurring training sessions including domestic violence and mediation training to meet continuing education requirements as set forth in Rules of Court 5.210 – 5.225.

Any combination of education, training and/or experience as outlined in the Family Code and which substantially demonstrates the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Possession of the equivalent to a Master's or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in clinical psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, behavioral science or a related field.
AND
• Possession of a License as a: Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage Family Child Counseling (LFMT) or Clinical Psychologist issued by the State of California is desirable.
AND
• Two (2) years of full-time paid, professional experience in counseling or psychotherapy, preferably with emphasis in family interpersonal relationships.
AND
• English/Spanish bilingual skills are required for this position.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of

1. Principles, practices and theories of adult and child psychology.
2. Child development theory.
3. Principles, techniques and practices of crisis intervention and court mediation.
4. Legal terminology, legal documents and court procedures relevant to family court services.
5. Interviewing principles and techniques.
6. Mental health issues.
7. Domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, and other related issues and their effect on children and families.
8. Relevant Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
9. Basic computer applications and technological processes.

Skill and Ability to:

1. Interpret, explain and apply a variety of codes, statutes, policies, rules, procedures, instruction and regulations related to mediation and recommendations in Family Court Services sessions.
2. Negotiate inclusive agreements for child custody, visitation and co-parenting plans.
3. Analyze complex problems and evaluate alternative solutions and their potential consequences.
4. Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, parenting plans and records.
5. Conduct interviews in a composed and neutral manner even when working with upset and hostile clients.
6. Interview children, as directed by the hearing officer, in a nonthreatening manner in order to elicit information necessary information to assist in the resolution of the case.
7. Maintain confidentiality as required by legal or ethical standards.
8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships, rapport, and relate well with individuals from varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds often under difficult, emotional, and stressful circumstances.
9. Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
10. Recognize child abuse, substance abuse and domestic violence issues and report as required by law.
11. Operate modern office equipment including copiers, computers, word processors, fax machines and printers.

Other:

Candidate should possess good self-care management skills due to the emotional and sometimes disturbing nature of the information disclosed in sessions and court filings.