Child Custody Recommending Counselor (South Lake Tahoe) Job Opening

Child Custody Recommending Counselor

Extra Help – 16 hours per week**

South Lake Tahoe (Unrepresented)

Approximate Salary: $34.99 - $42.52 per hour

Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled

The Position: Under general direction, this professional level position supports the court process by mediating disputes, making recommendations to the court, performing family counseling, providing psycho-educational information, and other mediation and counseling services as assigned by the Presiding Judge. This is an “at will” position. The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in the position of Child Custody Recommending Counselor at any time, with or without advance notice, and with or without cause.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is a journey level class that encompasses both mediator and counselor roles, primarily in the family law area. Incumbents provide professional counseling services, manage cases, conduct investigations, and mediate disputes for assigned cases.

REPRESENTATIVE ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Interviews parties involved in disputes and other matters before the court to assess potential for settlement or resolution outside of the court room.
• Evaluates attitudes of parties and conditions surrounding the controversy and determines appropriate course of action.
• Conducts investigations with collateral contacts.
• Engages in mediation and counseling activities, meeting with parties to reach settlements and resolve disputes; provides guidance and counseling to both individuals and groups.
• Reports and summarizes the results of mediation activities and acts as expert witness for the court verbally and in writing, including resolutions of disputes or recommendations in the best interests of the child.
• Conducts case conferences and makes additional appropriate support service referrals for clients as needs dictate.
• Acts as liaison with other government and community based organizations related to mediation efforts.
• Prepares and maintains case files, mediation reports, statistical records and follow-up reports from referral agencies.
• Other duties as assigned and/or as defined in the Family Code.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY

Incumbents work under direction to perform most duties within pre-established policies, procedures, standards and legislation. However, incumbents must often work independently to achieve results in the absence of easily applied rules. Priorities are determined by caseloads and court schedules. The work requires the analysis and evaluation of problems with available alternative solutions and may involve the occasional development of new techniques and procedures. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve objectives may result in serious delays, considerable expenditure of resources, and the possibility of serious effects on individuals who are the subjects of decisions. Incumbents do not typically lead or supervise the work of others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Essential

Principles and practices of family mediation, including interviewing, assessment, marital and family counseling, case load management, child development*, child abuse*, clinical issues relating to children*, effects of divorce and domestic violence on parents and children*,child custody research necessary to assess the mental health needs of children* principles of adult and child psychology and psychology of families, community resources and agencies providing support services for adults and children*; basic knowledge and familiarity of the California Family code, Division 8, custody of children sections 3000-3007, 3010-3011, 3020-3032, 3040-3048, 3160-3165, and 3170-3204; court systems of the State of California*; and procedures used in family law cases*.

* Required by California Family Code 1815

Ability to:

Essential

Provide psycho-educational information and limited family counseling; mediate disputes; conduct interviews; conduct investigations; make assessments; prepare and justify recommendations; analyze complex situations and problems; evaluate alternatives and recommend effective courses of action in the absence of easily applied rules; write detailed reports which include summaries, child interviews and documentation; protect clients' rights; exercise considerable discretion with respect to assignments and duties; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, judges, community based agencies, co-workers, and with the public; represent the court effectively in meetings with others; provide expert testimony in court; research and locate applicable statutes and codes pertaining to child custody; maintain confidential accurate records.

Education and Experience

Essential

As stated in the California Family Code Sections: 1815, 1816 and 3164 employees for this classification must have these minimum qualifications:

• A Master's degree from an accredited college, university, or program in social work; psychology; marriage, family and child counseling; or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships and
• Two years’ 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 ethnic population to be served.
• Training in domestic violence issues as described in California Family Code 1816.
• Additional experience may be substituted for a portion of the required education, or additional education for a portion of the required experience as described above.

License and Certificates

Possession of a valid driver's license at the time of appointment. This requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.

Desirable

Certification by the State of California as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Marriage, Family and Child Counselor or Therapist (MFCC) (MFT); or Clinical Psychologist.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment, or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. This requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.
• Criminal History and Background Check – Candidates are required to pass a fingerprint clearance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ).
• False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal

Application Process: Applicants must submit a completed Court application, resume and responses to the supplemental questionnaire contained in this job announcement. The application packet can be delivered between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., or mailed to:

Superior Court of California

County of El Dorado

Attn: Court Administration/HR Dept.

2850 Fairlane Court, Ste 110

Placerville, CA 95667

• Applications must be received by the filing deadline.
• Applications will not be accepted at any other Court location.
• Postmarks are not acceptable.
• Faxed applications are not acceptable.
• Resumes may not be substituted for any portion of the application.
• It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as “see/refer to resume” or “see attached”.
• Incomplete applications will not be processed.
• All materials submitted become the property of the Court and will not be returned.

If you require accommodations in the examination/interview process, please contact Court Administration at (530) 621-7427 at least five (5) days before a scheduled interview/examination.

The Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado is an

Equal Opportunity Employer

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Supplemental Questionnaire

Senior Child Custody Recommending Counselor

Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled

Completion of this questionnaire is a required part of the selection process. These questions are designed to assist you in presenting your qualifications for this position. Your responses will be used to evaluate your writing skills as well as your experience and qualifications when determining the most qualified candidates

When answering the supplemental questions, please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Please include 1) places of employment; 2) pertinent dates; 3) duties performed, etc. when responding to each question. Incomplete or missing information will impact the ability to evaluate your experience and qualifications. A notation or reference to other materials such as resumes or the application will not be considered an adequate answer.

• Please provide a brief description of your related education and work experience that is relevant to the position for which you are applying, specifically related to the areas of divorce, separation, or custody issues. (Provide the names of and the city and state location of any colleges you may have attended and be specific in describing your duties and the length of time you carried out these functions.)
• Describe your relevant clinical experience working with persons who have problems with drugs, alcohol, child abuse, and/or domestic violence.
• Describe your relevant experience conducting child custody evaluations or child assessments.

Job Type: Temporary

Salary: $34.99 to $42.52 /hour

Experience:

• Counselor/mediator: 2 years (Preferred)

Work authorization:

• United States (Preferred)

Employment Length:

• Varies

Pay Frequency:

• Bi weekly or Twice monthly