Child Custody Recommending Counselor

(559) 582-1010 Ex t ens ion 6021

Job Announcement
CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDING COUNSELOR I

Salary Range: $69,249 – $92,801

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Superior Court of California, County of Kings, is accepting applications for a full-time Child Custody
Recommending Counselor. This is an Exempt/unrepresented position.

ABOUT THE POSITION

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 designee.)

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & 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.)

DESIRABLE 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.

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 and drug 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.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Superior Court provides a comprehensive package of employee benefits. Our programs include medical,
dental and vision insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, term life insurance, long term
disability and accident insurance and other employee benefits. The court makes considerable contributions to
health and retirement benefits on behalf of the employees.

The court also provides paid time-off:

• Paid Holidays – Full-time employees receive 14 paid holidays
• Paid Annual Leave – Full-time employees initially accrue 22.5 days per year, accruals increase

based on years of service

Health Insurance: The court offers three levels of medical coverage for employees to elect. The court pays
100% of the employee medical, dental and vision premiums and contributes a substantial amount towards
dependent(s) coverage. Employees who waive court-sponsored medical insurance and who provide proof of
other group medical insurance are eligible to receive $274 per pay period (24 periods per year) in-lieu of court-
sponsored medical insurance.

Life Insurance: The court gives you the ability to help financially protect your family/beneficiaries with Life
and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. You have the option to supplement the court-paid
$40,000 policy with life insurance for family members and additional coverage for yourself through Voluntary
Life Insurance.

Retirement: The court pays a considerable bi-weekly contribution on behalf of the employee to California Public
Employee Retirement System (CALPERS). All regular employees are required to enroll in CALPERS and
contribute 7.25% bi-weekly for the defined benefit plan [2% at age 62].

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONTINUED

Deferred Compensation: The court offers employees the ability to participate in a 457 deferred-compensation
plan.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The court provides employees with support for a wide variety of
challenges through EAP. Benefits include up to three (3) sessions, every sick (6) months of face-to-face
confidential counseling.

CLOSING DATE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023, NO LATER THAN 5 PM

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Court Application
  

Application materials must be submitted as a single e-mail attachment in PDF format to
personnel@kings.courts.ca.gov or by mail:

Superior Court of the State of California
County of Kings
Attn: Human Resources Division
1640 Kings County Drive
Hanford, CA 93230

(559) 582-1010 Extension 6021

The Court Application is available on our website: Employment | Superior Court of California | County of Kings

EOE/AA Employer

[This is not an offer of employment by the County of Kings or State of California]