About the Department
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NOW HIRING: Child Custody Recommending Counselor
The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Child Custody Recommending Counselor. This role requires a licensed mental health professional who is committed to serving families with compassion, insight, and integrity.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until the vacancy has been filled. Applicants must complete all required supplemental questions and provide documentation of education, licensure, and relevant experience. Incomplete applications will not be considered and will not move forward in the selection process. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu
of the required application and supplemental application.
Please note: The recruitment may close at any time based on the needs of the Court.
Benefit Highlights
View the 2025 Benefits Guide
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About the Position
Under general supervision, provides professional counseling and mediation services related to family law matters or juvenile court matters, including child custody/visitation and premarital assessments to individuals and families referred by the Superior Court; performs safety risk assessments; writes detailed reports and makes recommendations on custody, parenting plans and interventions needed based on clinical assessments in family law matters or mediated agreements in juvenile court matters; and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
A Child Custody Recommending Counselor performs fully qualified licensed counseling/mediation within Family Court Services. Duties and responsibilities are carried out with considerable independence within a framework of established policies and procedures.
Employees in this class typically report to the Family Court Services Supervisor and may take work direction from a Senior Child Custody Recommending Counselor in designated districts.
Child Custody Recommending Counselor differs from the class of Senior Child Custody Recommending Counselor in that the latter serves as acting supervisor and provides work direction and training in the supervisor's absence in designated districts.
Distinguishing Characteristics
A Child Custody Recommending Counselor performs fully qualified licensed counseling/mediation within Family Court Services. Duties and responsibilities are carried out with considerable independence within a framework of established policies and procedures.
Employees in this class typically report to the Family Court Services Supervisor and may take work direction from a Senior Child Custody Recommending Counselor in designated districts.
Child Custody Recommending Counselor differs from the class of Senior Child Custody Recommending Counselor in that the latter serves as acting supervisor and provides work direction and training in the supervisor's absence in designated districts.
For full position details, please visit the job description by clicking here.
Position Duties
- Conducts child custody recommending counseling sessions and mediation services to resolve child custody and/or visitation disputes and to assist parties in formulating parenting plans; interviews in person and over the phone parents, guardians, grandparents, minors, and other case-related persons (i.e., school officials, law enforcement personnel, social service personnel).
- Provides crisis intervention and short-term counseling services to families and individuals experiencing family relationship difficulties by using individual and group counseling techniques.
- Completes risk assessments to rule out domestic violence, child abuse or any other safety, health or welfare concerns that may affect family members' safety; addresses problems identified and refers parties to community agencies for long-term counseling when necessary.
- Examines court case files, documentation obtained from collateral sources such as child welfare history, information from social workers and therapists, educational records and court computer information systems to obtain pertinent data for assessment.
- Obtains, reviews and evaluates medical and mental health records and other pertinent medical information; may recommend for psychiatric or psychological evaluations.
- Prepares parenting plans or detailed court reports with summary of issues, information obtained during counseling sessions and investigations, and recommendations that integrate an understanding of the laws relevant to family law; develops custody and visitation agreements; may be required to testify in court regarding same.
- May supervise one or more interns working at Family Court Services.
- May speak before community groups to further community acceptance of the program.
- Presents oral and written reports and recommendations to the court; maintains case documentation, prepares reports and writes routine correspondence; attends and participates in case management meetings and presentations.
- Develops materials for community education and orientation including program brochures, literature and videos; conducts orientation meetings to explain the program to the public.
- Collects and compiles statistical workload reports; attends meetings, trainings and conferences; represents the section/department with other divisions, departments and public agencies.
- Other duties as assigned.
When assigned to Juvenile Dependency Mediation
- Provides confidential mediation services to resolve jurisdictional or disposition disputes; facilitates communications between disputants in a non-adversarial environment in order to resolve child protection issues; drafts and submits reports outlining mediated agreements; facilitate and draft Family Law Exit Orders.
- Provides crisis intervention and short-term counseling services to families and individuals experiencing family relationship difficulties by using individual and group counseling techniques.
- Completes risk assessments to rule out domestic violence, child abuse or any other safety, health or welfare concerns that may affect family members' safety; addresses problems identified and assists/social workers with identifying necessary resources at community agencies for long term counseling.
- Examines court case files, documentation obtained from collateral sources such as child welfare history, information from social workers and therapists, educational records and court computer information systems to obtain pertinent data for mediation.
- Obtains, reviews and evaluates medical and mental health records and other pertinent medical information.
- May supervise one or more interns working at Family Court Services.
- May speak before community groups to further community acceptance of the program.
- Collects and compiles statistical workload reports; attends meetings, trainings and conferences; represents the section/department with other divisions, departments and public agencies.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree or PhD in psychology, counseling, family therapy, social work, or other directly related field and two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience providing licensed child custody investigations, family or mediation counseling, or psychotherapy; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Experience in a superior court is desired.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Experience in a superior court is desired.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
- A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Court's vehicle insurance program.
- A current State of California license as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage, Family and Child Therapist (LFMT), Clinical Psychologist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) is required and must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
- Principles and practices of mental health; mental illness issues and psychiatric diagnoses, symptoms and impairments;
- Methods and techniques of individual and group counseling, conflict resolution, crisis management and mediation;
- Characteristics and signs of abuse, domestic violence and substance abuse;
- Clinical issues relating to family dysfunction and child behavior/development;
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency issues;
- Child development and factors contributing to the development of behavioral issues;
- Governmental and private community resources and referral agencies;
- Relevant legal terminology, court operations and courtroom procedure; courtroom etiquette and conventions;
- Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to area of assigned responsibility including laws related to child custody, visitation and parental rights;
- Research methods and statistical analysis techniques;
- State regulations pertaining to client confidentiality;
- Court ordinances, codes, procedures and practices regarding computer hardware, software and data security;
- Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation;
- Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.
Selection Process
Human resources
will evaluate all applications to identify those who meet the minimum
qualifications, as well as any desirable qualifications listed. Only candidates
who fulfill these requirements will proceed in the process.Your responses to the supplemental questions may be scored and ranked. Depending on the number of applicants, you might also need to complete an online assessment or a screening interview.
If you
successfully pass step 2 and meet the minimum qualifications, your name will be
added to the eligible list. From this list, you may be considered for an
interview. Please note that being on the eligible list does not guarantee an
interview or a job offer.
All candidates will
receive email notifications regarding their application status at each stage of the
process. The selection process will also include a background check and a
reference check.
Other Qualifications
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; and stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl. The employee is frequently required to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds unaided.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.