CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDING COUNSELOR
Description:
Salary : $94,505.06 - $120,749.72 Annually
Location : Family and Children's Services Division, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 26-018
Division: Operations Division
Department: Family and Children Services
Opening Date: 09/05/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Teamsters - Professional
Description
NOW HIRING: Child Custody Recommending Counselor
Make a Difference Where It Matters Most!
The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, is now hiring a Child Custody Recommending Counselor-a licensed mental health professional who is ready to serve families with compassion, insight, and integrity!
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu
of the required application and supplemental application.
For priority consideration, please apply by Sunday, September 28, 2025
Completed applications will be reviewed, and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the Court will be invited to participate further in the selection process
Benefit Highlights
View the
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.
For full position details, please visit the job description by clicking .
Essential Functions
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:
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.Knowledge of:
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.
Physical Characteristics
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
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.
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
BENEFITS SUMMARY
PROFESSIONALS BENEFIT GROUP
The San Bernardino Superior Court offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked. A summary of benefits is provided below.
Health and Welfare Benefits
MEDICAL: The Court offers a variety of comprehensive health plan options to fit individual employee needs. The Court contributes up to $200.00 in benefit plan dollars each pay period to help full-time employees pay for health premiums. In addition, the health plan subsidy the court contributes toward the employee cost is 58.5% to 60% based on plan selection and level of coverage.
DENTAL: The dental subsidy is equivalent to 100% of the employee only DPPO coverage plan (but not less than twenty-three dollars and two cents {$23.02} per pay period.)
VISION: Court-paid plan for employees. No co-pay/deductible for eye exams; frames and standard lenses or contact lenses (in lieu of standard lenses) every twelve (12) months.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY: Court-paid benefit that provides partial income replacement in the event that an employee is unable to work due to a non-work related disability.
LIFE INSURANCE: Court-paid basic life insurance benefit of $50,000. Additional supplemental life and AD&D insurance benefits may be purchased voluntarily.
MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees elect to set aside pre-tax money each pay period to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses for themselves and their eligible dependents that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.
DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PLAN: This is a type of Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating eligible employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.
Leave Allowances
VACATION: After completion of the requisite hours of continuous service (based on the bargaining unit), employees are eligible to use accrued vacation allowance. Depending on length of service, employees may accrue from 80 to 176 hours annually.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE: Forty (40) hours of additional leave to be used during the calendar year, prorated depending on start date.
HOLIDAY: Fourteen (14) paid recognized holidays and the accrual of two (2) floating holidays annually.
SICK LEAVE: Employees in regular positions accrue approximately 3.39 hours of sick leave per pay period to use during instances of authorized absence due to illness, injury, or medically related appointments.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: ALL employees are eligible to receive a maximum of thirty-two (32) hours of paid leave per occurrence for bereavement leave due to the death of a person in the immediate family.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans
RETIREMENT: The Court is a 1937 Act employer. More detailed information may be found by contacting SBCERA at or toll-free at or by visiting the website at San Bernardino County Retirement Association. The Court does not pay into the Social Security system; however, it does contribute to Medicare.
Retirement benefits subject to change.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Employees are eligible to participate in the Court's 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. This is the supplemental retirement plan that permits employees to defer a certain portion of their pre or post tax salary, within certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limits, to an account maintained by an investment service provider. Participating employees in the pre-tax option postpone paying taxes on the deferred portion of their income.
Additional Benefits
TUITION BENEFIT: Employees with at least twelve (12) months of Court service will be allowed a maximum of $600.00 each fiscal year. These monies may be used for job related education or career development, book fees or to reimburse membership dues in professional organizations.
CAR ALLOWANCE: Use of Court Vehicle.
COMMUTER SERVICES: This program assists with providing information on carpools, rideshare matching, and public transportation options. The Court offers incentives for employees eligible to participating in Ridesharing activities.
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE: The Court recognizes the importance of work/life balance. Employees may request alternative work scheduling or flexible work schedules when classifications meet the requirements.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to modify the benefit programs in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations.
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INSTRUCTIONS: The information you provide on this questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the selection process and may also be used in a competitive evaluation of qualifications. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. If you do not have experience in an area