Superior Court of California, County of Nevada
Child Custody Recommending Counselor I/II
Superior Court of California, County of Nevada, Nevada City, California, United States, 95959
Under general direction, performs child recommending counseling services designed to resolve disputes regarding contested child custody and visitation matters, and in the absence of an agreement, makes written recommendations to the Court and parties regarding the children's best interest on unresolved custody and visitation issues. Reviews Court case information and prioritizes assigned cases, explains and informs on mediation processes, prepares and develops a variety of reports and documents and performs related work as required.
This is a journey-level and advanced journey-level professional classification. This position engages in advising and recommendation functions to ensure child safety and domestic stability with regards to parental, familial and environmental conditions. Incumbents must work independently and make decisions in the absence of easily applied rules. The advanced journey-level Child Custody Counselor II classification is distinguished from the journey-level Child Custody Recommending Counselor I by years of required experience, and with overall administrative responsibility for the operation of the Child Custody Recommending Counselor functions of the Court. This class typically reports to the Operations Director.Schedules and conducts mediation of assigned cases to facilitate development of a child custody and visitation plan agreement; prioritizes assigned cases;Reviews Court case information and explains mediation processes; identifies and explores child custody and visitation options; encourages parental involvement in the mediation process; assesses potential for settlement or resolution outside the courtroom;Confers, meets with, and interviews parents, children, extended families, and Child Protective Services regarding domestic, marital, environmental, and other aspects of parental responsibilities which directly relate to appropriate child custody recommendations;Facilitates and encourages negotiations between parties during the mediation process; when an agreement (stipulation) between the parties cannot be reached in mediation, develops and submits a recommended child custody and visitation plan to the Court;Observes and assesses risk factors during mediation process, including domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse issues and potential for danger to self and others; initiates judicious and appropriate action to ensure the safety and best interest of the child; reports suspected child abuse and neglect allegations to appropriate authorities;Completes required reports and contacts pertinent agencies to obtain collateral information as appropriate, including but not limited to, Child Protective Services, mental health agencies, substance abuse treatment providers, school personnel, supervised visitation monitors and law enforcement personnel as necessary and required by law;Provides expert professional assistance, guidance and support to the Court and the public; manages and responds to numerous daily inquiries from parents, community agencies and others;Remains abreast of current developments in family law, juvenile, social service policies and regulations, clinical studies and other trends and information pertaining to child development, family dynamics, mental health, healthy partner relationships, mediation and alternative dispute resolution;Performs specialized administrative duties related to areas of responsibility; provides regular status reports on workload; provides testimony when subpoenaed by parties or their counsel as required; completes other assigned Court-related written reports and recommendations for the Court;Participates in research applicable to areas of responsibility; participates in state and regional training institutes and training sessions, including domestic violence and mediation training to meet continuing educational requirements;Communicates clearly, concisely and effectively orally and in writing; exercises tact, objectivity, sensitivity, discretion, courtesy and judgment in handling highly emotional issues and situations with a variety of people from diverse, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds;Prepares and maintains case files and records, in accordance with Superior Court rules; compiles statistics and prepares reports as required;Performs other duties as required.Education and Experience:
Any combination of experience and education or training that is likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities.
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above would be:Child Custody Recommendation Counselor I
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.Two (2) years of post-degree experience in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the area of family and child welfare with a diverse population.Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver's license.Child Custody Recommendation Counselor II
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.Three (3) years of post-degree experience in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the area of family and child welfare with a diverse population.Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver's license.Knowledge of:
California Court system, Civil Code, Family Law policies and procedures, and case statutory law.Principles of interviewing, counseling, investigation, and case work, custody research and studies, negotiation theory.Court mediation theory and paradigms, and reality focused settlement techniques.Principles, methods and techniques of interviewing adults and children, conflict resolution, case management, crisis intervention, mediation and risk assessment;Resources in the community that clients can be referred to for assistance.Adult psychopathy and the psychology of families.Child development, child abuse, clinical issues relating to children, the effects of divorce on children, the effects of domestic violence on children, and child custody research sufficient to enable a counselor to assess the mental health needs of children.Training in domestic violence issues.Socio-economic and cultural diversity issues.Legal terminology, Court operations and courtroom procedures, etiquette and conventions.Correct English use, punctuation, spelling and grammar.Operate a variety of office equipment including computers.Operate a variety of software including Microsoft Office.Ability to:
Understand and apply statutes, court rules and case law affecting Child Custody Recommending Counselor functions of the Court.Obtain and interpret social data from various sources.Interview children and adults.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.Utilize crisis intervention techniques.Negotiate via cognitive and communicative problem solving.Interact effectively in situations requiring instructing, persuading, consulting, counseling and motivating people and establish effective working relationships with clients.Make sound decisions.Communicate effectively orally and in writing within time limits.Work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work.Prepare reports, agreements and recommendations for the Court and parties.
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This is a journey-level and advanced journey-level professional classification. This position engages in advising and recommendation functions to ensure child safety and domestic stability with regards to parental, familial and environmental conditions. Incumbents must work independently and make decisions in the absence of easily applied rules. The advanced journey-level Child Custody Counselor II classification is distinguished from the journey-level Child Custody Recommending Counselor I by years of required experience, and with overall administrative responsibility for the operation of the Child Custody Recommending Counselor functions of the Court. This class typically reports to the Operations Director.Schedules and conducts mediation of assigned cases to facilitate development of a child custody and visitation plan agreement; prioritizes assigned cases;Reviews Court case information and explains mediation processes; identifies and explores child custody and visitation options; encourages parental involvement in the mediation process; assesses potential for settlement or resolution outside the courtroom;Confers, meets with, and interviews parents, children, extended families, and Child Protective Services regarding domestic, marital, environmental, and other aspects of parental responsibilities which directly relate to appropriate child custody recommendations;Facilitates and encourages negotiations between parties during the mediation process; when an agreement (stipulation) between the parties cannot be reached in mediation, develops and submits a recommended child custody and visitation plan to the Court;Observes and assesses risk factors during mediation process, including domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse issues and potential for danger to self and others; initiates judicious and appropriate action to ensure the safety and best interest of the child; reports suspected child abuse and neglect allegations to appropriate authorities;Completes required reports and contacts pertinent agencies to obtain collateral information as appropriate, including but not limited to, Child Protective Services, mental health agencies, substance abuse treatment providers, school personnel, supervised visitation monitors and law enforcement personnel as necessary and required by law;Provides expert professional assistance, guidance and support to the Court and the public; manages and responds to numerous daily inquiries from parents, community agencies and others;Remains abreast of current developments in family law, juvenile, social service policies and regulations, clinical studies and other trends and information pertaining to child development, family dynamics, mental health, healthy partner relationships, mediation and alternative dispute resolution;Performs specialized administrative duties related to areas of responsibility; provides regular status reports on workload; provides testimony when subpoenaed by parties or their counsel as required; completes other assigned Court-related written reports and recommendations for the Court;Participates in research applicable to areas of responsibility; participates in state and regional training institutes and training sessions, including domestic violence and mediation training to meet continuing educational requirements;Communicates clearly, concisely and effectively orally and in writing; exercises tact, objectivity, sensitivity, discretion, courtesy and judgment in handling highly emotional issues and situations with a variety of people from diverse, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds;Prepares and maintains case files and records, in accordance with Superior Court rules; compiles statistics and prepares reports as required;Performs other duties as required.Education and Experience:
Any combination of experience and education or training that is likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities.
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above would be:Child Custody Recommendation Counselor I
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.Two (2) years of post-degree experience in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the area of family and child welfare with a diverse population.Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver's license.Child Custody Recommendation Counselor II
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.Three (3) years of post-degree experience in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the area of family and child welfare with a diverse population.Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver's license.Knowledge of:
California Court system, Civil Code, Family Law policies and procedures, and case statutory law.Principles of interviewing, counseling, investigation, and case work, custody research and studies, negotiation theory.Court mediation theory and paradigms, and reality focused settlement techniques.Principles, methods and techniques of interviewing adults and children, conflict resolution, case management, crisis intervention, mediation and risk assessment;Resources in the community that clients can be referred to for assistance.Adult psychopathy and the psychology of families.Child development, child abuse, clinical issues relating to children, the effects of divorce on children, the effects of domestic violence on children, and child custody research sufficient to enable a counselor to assess the mental health needs of children.Training in domestic violence issues.Socio-economic and cultural diversity issues.Legal terminology, Court operations and courtroom procedures, etiquette and conventions.Correct English use, punctuation, spelling and grammar.Operate a variety of office equipment including computers.Operate a variety of software including Microsoft Office.Ability to:
Understand and apply statutes, court rules and case law affecting Child Custody Recommending Counselor functions of the Court.Obtain and interpret social data from various sources.Interview children and adults.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.Utilize crisis intervention techniques.Negotiate via cognitive and communicative problem solving.Interact effectively in situations requiring instructing, persuading, consulting, counseling and motivating people and establish effective working relationships with clients.Make sound decisions.Communicate effectively orally and in writing within time limits.Work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work.Prepare reports, agreements and recommendations for the Court and parties.
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