Family Court Mediator/Investigator I starting hourly wage $35.33.  Family Court Mediator/Investigator II starting hourly wage $38.95.  Your earning power is more due to the Court paying up to 100% of your health benefits.

Advance placement within the range possible with court experience.

This class specification describes a two-level classification series.  Under minimal direction, incumbents provide mediation services in child custody and visitation disputes as required by California Family Code Section 3170; mediate complex cases involving child custody disagreements; prepare stipulated agreements/ parenting plans; conduct civil investigations of family law and probate matters; write reports for the Court based on findings; and perform related duties as required.  Movement through the levels is not automatic.

• Mediate disputes between parents regarding custody and visitation of children.
• Provide education and instruction to parents on general issues regarding co-parenting.
• Oversee group/parent orientation programs and parent education related to court procedures for family law matters.
• Mediate visitation issues or contested guardianships as referred by the court.
• Prepare and maintain case files, mediation reports, statistical records, and follow-up reports from referral agencies.
• Once qualified, perform investigations of disputed child custody or visitation cases; interview parents, children, family members, neighbors, school officials and others; conduct background investigations; review criminal history and child protective services reports and compile information regarding suitability of parents or others for custody of minor children.
• Interview in a variety of settings conservators, conservatees (who are primarily elderly or developmentally disabled), and other persons necessary to obtain relevant case information; advise persons of legal rights; review medical records, petitions, and reports; make recommendations for appointment of legal counsel.
• Conduct interviews of proposed guardians, conservators, wards and others residing in home; review petitions; confer with attorneys, doctors, teachers, therapists and other parties; check references; check criminal records; make recommendations to the Court for best interests of proposed ward or conservatee.
• Write reports for court hearings based on interviews and investigations; make determinations and recommendations to the Court as appropriate in conservatorship and guardianship proceedings based on case assessment; attend and testify at court hearings; follow up on judge’s orders.
• Conduct special and other investigations as permitted by statute and ordered and requested by the Court; handle complaints, conduct investigations.
• Participate in development and implementation of court programs for families and children.
• Experienced and licensed incumbents only- Supervise investigations conducted pursuant to Rule 5.220, et seq of the California Rules of Court by unlicensed peers.

Court system and the procedures used in family law, conservatorship, guardianship and other cases; California Family Code, Probate Code, Civil Code and other California Codes, Rules of Court and local rules; resources in the community for client referral and assistance; adult psychopathology and the psychology of families; child development, child abuse and clinical issues relating to children; effects of divorce and domestic violence on children; child custody research; clinical interviewing and mediation techniques; problem-solving and conflict resolution methods and techniques; crisis intervention methods and techniques; domestic violence and substance abuse issues; cultural diversity issues; medical terminology and documents; problems of the elderly and disabled; general accounting procedures, data collection, analysis and display; report preparation and writing; correct English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar; personal computers and word processing software.

Obtain, interpret and evaluate information regarding family behavior from various sources; analyze problems; communicate emphatically, neutrally and clearly with individuals under stressful situations; use communication, listening and problem solving skills to assist culturally diverse parties in accepting or finding solutions; recognize dysfunctional interaction patterns; interview a variety of individuals including children, parents, teachers, therapists, the elderly, developmentally disabled, and others in homes, schools, hospitals, institutions and other locations; determine pertinent aspects of cases and recommend useful interventions; exercise sound judgment in making recommendations to parties; exercise sensitivity toward cultural issues; effectively manage situations where individuals may be angry, upset, fearful or hostile; remain calm and exercise patience in working with parties under stressful situations; understand complex issues; understand, interpret and apply pertinent provisions of the law, rules of court and procedure; write comprehensive, factually accurate reports in a  clear and concise manner; maintain flexibility in managing an unpredictable workday; meet established deadlines in a timely manner; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, attorneys, judges, the public and other professionals; operate modern office equipment and personal computers and use specified computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheets as applicable.

Any combination of training and work experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

A Master’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, or other behavioral science AND two (2) years’ experience in counseling, psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the areas of responsibility of family court services.

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, psychology, administration of justice or a  closely related field AND five (5) years’ experience providing services related to the areas of responsibility of family court services may be substituted for the education and experience.

Rule 5.225

Employees who hold non-expired licenses as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Clinical Social Worker, or a Licensed Psychologist and meet the education and experience requirements as provided in Rule 5.225 of the California Rules of Court shall be eligible to receive a pay differential. 

Effective the date of receipt of the employee’s LMFT, LCSW or Licensed Psychologist license number and upon demonstration of completion of the education, training and experience required under Rule 5.225 of the California Rules of Court, a pay differential of five percent (5%) shall be added to the base pay of the employee, and shall be paid as long as the employee holds the non-expired license and meets the continued education and training requirements.

Must be required to possess or obtain by appointment date a valid California operator’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.  Candidates will be required to undergo a criminal background investigation and medical examination.

This work involves the following:  Frequent sitting with occasional walking and long periods of standing.  Frequent performance of activities requiring clarity of vision up to approximately three feet, including looking at a computer monitor and reading documents.  Frequent listening to and understanding the speech of individuals with varying levels of speaking ability and communication skills.  Frequent speaking to individuals with varying levels of hearing ability or comprehension.  Occasional performance of activities requiring clarity of vision at 20 or more feet away, including driving a vehicle and observing the environment when working in the field.

The work is performed inside a climate-controlled facility and in the field.  The following working conditions are typical of this classification:  Constant working with minimal direction or supervision, handling multiple assignments, performing tasks requiring sustained concentration, and working under the pressure of deadlines.  Frequent interaction with members of the public with a wide variety of social, educational, and economic backgrounds.  Occasional contact with individuals who may become violent or physically aggressive.  Required to travel within Sutter County up to several days per week to conduct home and school visits, and to perform other work activities at various county facilities.   May be exposed to uncontrolled environmental and cultural situations for which the incumbent must assess and plan for potential risks.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITIONS.  EACH INCUMBENT DOES NOT NECESSARILY PERFORM ALL DUTIES.   ADDITIONALLY, INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AND TO PERFORM OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES AS REQUIRED.