Child Custody Recommending Counselor

Salary $85,862.40 - $ Annually

Location 2260 N St., Merced, CA, CA

Job Type Full Time

Job Number 26-27-01

Division Family Court Services

Closing Date 7/31/2026 4:30 PM Pacific

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, the Child Custody Recommending Counselor mediates disputes involving custody and visitation issues as adjunct to judicial action; prepares a variety of court reports and recommendations; performs related duties. Performs independent work, conducts investigations for probate conservatorships, guardian ships and cases involving child custody disputes. Also attends hearings as necessary; consults with judicial officers, attorneys, and parties involved in assigned cases;

prepares reports and recommendations for the court.

This classification provides a variety of services to the Court including: mediation, child custody recommending counseling and other investigator roles. This is a single level professional class responsible for mediation activities at the court.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Serves as Mediator in mediation cases and shall use their best efforts to effect a settlement of the custody or visitation dispute that is in the best interest of the child
• Conducts Court-ordered child custody evaluations under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.220, as assigned.
• Within time frames that meet Court and statutory requirements, prepares reports to the Court containing all required and requesting information
• Interviews parents, children, and collateral parties (relatives, friends, attorneys, medical and psychiatric staff, various county departments, State agencies, and other concerned parties)
• Serves as a Counselor in Child Custody Recommending Counseling sessions and makes recommendations to the Court as to custody of or visitation with the child
• Serves as Mediator in mediation cases and shall use their best efforts to effect a settlement of the custody or visitation dispute that is in the best interest of the child
• Reviews, evaluates and writes a report, rationale and recommendation regarding petitions related to all assigned cases within the establish time frames
• Maintains case records of contacts including collateral contacts and compiles statistics as directed
• Effectively manages a caseload and provides required reports and agreements to the Court in a timely manner; attends hearings and testifies in Court as required
• Attends hearings and testifies in Court as required
• Cooperates with other government agencies, such as Child Protective Services, law enforcement agencies, the Public Defenders office and the District Attorneys office on a regular basis when working on cases
• Conducts education classes for the public dealing with the issues of divorce, separation, child custody, visitation and child development as directed
• Maintains current knowledge in relevant subject matter, including relevant clinical and mediation literature, recommends changes in policy or rules for compliance; attends staff and other work-related meetings, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities, as directed
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Duties:
None

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Masters Degree or equivalent in social work, psychology, marriage, family and child counseling or related behavioral science substantially related to marriage and interpersonal relationships
• (2) Two years of experience in family and divorce counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the areas of responsibility of the family conciliation court and with the ethnic population to be served
• A valid class C California drivers license may be required. The requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.
• Possession of a valid Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Marriage, Family and Child Counselor…