Principles and techniques used in confidential mediation and child custody recommending counseling and the function of child custody recommending counseling in the courts;

Procedures and techniques used in child custody evaluations;

Court system of California and the procedures used in family law cases;

Resources in the community to which clients can be referred for assistance;

Effects of divorce and domestic violence on children; and

California Family Code, Rules of Court, Welfare and Institutions Code and Penal Code related to Family Court Services, family court Mediation, Child Custody Recommending Counseling, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act and child abuse and neglect.

Obtain, interpret and assess information regarding individual and family behavior from various sources and make comprehensive recommendations;

Effectively communicate orally and in written form;

Effectively use relevant computer applications and word processing software;

Establish and maintain effective working relationships;

Set priorities and complete job duties in a timely manner;

Behave professionally and compassionately toward parents who are in highly stressful situations; and

Prepare typed reports in a clear, precise and timely manner.

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, family and child counseling, or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships from an accredited college or university; or

Doctorate in psychology from an accredited college or university.

Two years full-time experience in:

Counseling or psychotherapy or both, preferably in family or conciliation court and with a socially, culturally and ethnically diverse population; and/or

Providing forensic psychology or forensic social work related services relating to children and families (e.g. Child Protective Services, Court Ordered Investigations/Evaluations, etc.)

Additional post-degree counseling, psychotherapy, forensic psychology, forensic social work, Team Decision Making, Family Group Conferencing, or mediation experience;

Completion of educational requirements as set forth in California Rule of Court 5.210 and Family Codes 1815 and 1816;

Possession of one of the following professional licenses: a valid license as a MFT or LCSW issued by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences, or a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the State of California Board of Psychology;

Work experience as a family court services mediator, child custody recommending counselor, private recommending mediator, private family law mediator, child custody evaluator or co-parenting therapist; and

Bilingual: ability to read and fluently speak Spanish. Incumbents who qualify to provide services in a bilingual Spanish capacity are paid at rates that are 5% above the base rate for this classification.