Child Custody Recommending Counselor
CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDING COUNSELOR
Starting Salary: $54,337
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The Superior Court of California, County of Kings, is accepting applications for a full-time Child Custody Recommending Counselor position located in the Courthouse in Hanford, CA. FLSA status: Exempt.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Mediate child custody and visitation disputes; interviews parents, children, extended family members, review collateral sources and communicate with other agencies as appropriate. Conduct domestic violence assessments, child observations, and evaluate social, family dynamics, and environmental and other aspects of parental responsibilities which directly relate to formulating child custody recommendations; prepares written evaluations and make recommendations to the Court in child custody and visitation cases, guardianships, step-parent adoptions, and actions to release children from parental custody; evaluates and assesses families for referral to appropriate community resources; facilitates supportive family counseling throughout the mediation process; provides clients with a model utilizing communication and problem solving skills for positive co-parenting and resolving future disputes; prepares written stipulations of agreements for disposition by Court; makes appearances and testifies in Court as required; maintains records and statistical information regarding services provided; prepares relevant correspondence; attends meeting, participates in staff training, and represents the Department at various organization and programs; maintains working knowledge of community resources serving children [families] of divorce; reviews journals, literature, and law reviews pertinent to the position. (Essential duties may vary from position to position within classifications. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law. This position may be assigned any other duties as determined and assigned by the Court Executive Officer or his designee.)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
Equivalent to a Master’s 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 two years of experience in counseling psychotherapy, or related to family conciliation for the courts and with a population similar to that served by the County. (Marriage/family counseling experience may substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.)
Preferred Qualifications: Possession of a license issued by the State of California as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage, Family and Child Therapist (LFMT) or Clinical Psychologist and completion of Domestic Violence training program in accordance with Section 1816 of the Family Code.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of California Court system; statues and procedures used in Family Law Court, Juvenile Court, and Probate Court; social aspects and characteristics of mental and emotional disturbances; crisis intervention and anger management techniques; responsibilities and activities of public and private health, mental health and social service agencies; knowledge of other community referral sources; adult psychopathology and family psychology; child development, child abuse, and the effects of divorces and domestic violence on children; cross-cultural issues.
Ability to utilize communication and problem solving skills needed to assist parties in reaching amicable resolutions; diagnosis dysfunctional interaction patterns; establish rapport with clients and maintain their confidence and cooperation; follow procedures and rules of the Court; assess dangerous or potentially dangerous situations between clients and intervene appropriately; interpret complex data; analyze situations accurately and plan effective courses of action; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County departments, with the Superior Court and with the legal and helping professions in the community; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; follow departmental safe work
practices; safely operate a motor vehicle.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a valid California Class ‘C” driver’s license. Ability to qualify for a security clearance through fingerprinting, traffic and criminal record background investigation, random drug testing and TB testing. Ability to sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity; eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to twenty (20) pounds; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copier and fax machine. Travel will be required outside of Kings County to attend meetings, conferences, and trainings.
BENEFITS:
The Court offers a benefit package to its regular full-time and part-time employees (pro-rated) which include 13 Court approved holidays; accrued sick/vacation (accrual based on hours worked, minimum 2 weeks/year); a Flexible Benefit Plan to purchase a variety of health insurance plans and related benefits such as Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Deferred Compensation, Administrative Leave, Medical Reimbursement, Childcare Reimbursement, Life Insurance, and Shortterm/Long-term Disability. A Retirement Plan [2% at age 62] through the California Public Employees Retirement System [P.E.R.S.]. An Employee Assistance Program is also provided.
CLOSING DATE:
Open until filled.
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