Child Custody Recommending Counselor at Merced Superior Court in Merced, California

Job Description:

Child Custody Recommending Counselor (Part Time - As Needed)

Salary: $60.00 Hourly

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION

DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, mediates disputes involving custody and visitation issues as adjunct to judicial action; prepares a variety of court reports and recommendations; performs related duties.
 
EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL:
The Child Custody Recommending Counselor – Part-time classification is established as an “at-will” position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the direction of the Court Executive Officer.  The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in the position of Child Custody Recommending Counselor – Part-time at any time, with or without advance notice or cause.
 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the entry and journey level of the Child Custody Recommending Counselor series.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position.  The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  

1. Mediate disputes concerning parenting arrangements in cases involving divorce, separation, paternity, guardianships and temporary restraining orders
2. Interview and make recommendations for pre-age marriages 
3. Interview, investigate, and make recommendations in Custody Evaluations, Guardianships and Step-Parent Adoptions
4. Maintain records and statistical information regarding services provided as directed 
5. Provide information and resources regarding divorce related matters to the public, attorneys, and agencies who seek assistance or counsel
6. Conduct education classes for the public dealing with the issues of divorce, separation, child custody, visitation and child development as directed
7. Attend staff and other work-related meetings, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities, as needed
8. Maintain current knowledge in relevant subject matter, including relevant clinical and mediation literature 
9. Perform related duties as assigned

 
Supervisory Duties:
None
 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Employment Standards
Knowledge of:

• California Court System
• Statues and procedures used in family law court, juvenile court and probate court
• Mediation and negotiation theories and techniques
• Individual and family counseling techniques
• Public and private community resources and referral agencies
• Psychology, child development, and family systems
• Written and oral communication standards, including correct usage of grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Basic database systems desired

 
Skill/Ability to:

• Understand, interpret and apply the states, court rules and case laws affecting the operation of family court services
• Evaluate and make recommendations concerning the effectiveness of counseling technique and procedures
• Establish rapport with individuals, couples, and families in working towards amicable solutions to custody and visitation
• Establish rapport and work cooperatively with judiciary, various county, community and other agencies or organizations providing counseling and related services 
• Analyze problems and situations, and arrive at logical solutions
• Effectively communicate verbally and in written form
• Supervise, evaluate, discipline, and train staff
• Keyboard 30 words per minute
• Operate a personal computer and related software
• Produce typical reports using computer database
• Prioritize work and workload within department to meet deadlines
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, marriage, family and child counseling or related behavioral science

Experience:

• (2) Two years of experience in family and divorce counseling or psychotherapy

License, Certification and/or Special Requirements:

• A valid class C California driver’s license may be required.  The requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.

 Desirable License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Marriage, Family and Child Counselor license as issued by the State of California.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization:  Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data.   Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.  
 
Human Interaction:  Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.
 
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization:  Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. 
 
Verbal Aptitude:  Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data, and information.
 
Mathematical Aptitude:  Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
 
Functional Reasoning:  Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
 
Situational Reasoning:  Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
 
Physical Ability:  

• Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and other office equipment on a daily basis and for extended periods of time
• Fine finger manipulations, dexterity, and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper
• Forceful and repetitive gripping, grasping, and pinching
• Occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs. 
• Frequent reaching for items on shelves, above, at, and below desk/shoulder level
• Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move, torque, twist, push, and pull objects
• Frequently sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods; and frequently walk, move, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch
• Able to move to different locations such as, but not limited to: courtrooms, clerk’s office, various departments, other court facilities, and desk assignments based on the operational needs of the Court
• Able to traverse inside and outside over uneven ground and pavement
• Perform repetitive writing, typing, copying
• Employees are regularly required to verbally communicate both in person and by telephone
• Corrected hearing and vision to normal range

 
 Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
 
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
 
The Superior Court of California, Merced County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Superior Court of California, Merced County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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