FAMILY COUNSELOR - MEDIATOR

FUNCTION

Performs professional journey level work involving the provision of family counseling and/or mediation services to support conciliation court programs and activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work is performed independently under the direction of a higher level of authority. The employee is expected to exercise initiative and independent judgement in the provision of family counseling and/or mediation services in accordance with established statutes, court rules, policies, procedures, and regulations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May exercise technical and/or functional supervision of interns and volunteers as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  1. Provides family and marital counseling and/or mediation services to parents who are in the process of dissolution or divorced.
  1. Maintains contact with judges, attorneys, relatives or other persons involved in conciliation proceedings.
  1. Refers clients to community social service agencies or private counseling services as needed.
  1. Conducts spousal conciliation counseling sessions to prevent dissolution.
  1. Assists parents in identifying their roles and responsibilities in a dissolution action.
  1. Conducts mediation sessions of child custody and visitation disputes.
  1. Develops and maintains requisite records.
  1. Prepares and presents parent education programs to improve parenting skills and community understanding and use of conciliation court services.
  1. Attends and participates in mediation training and education programs.
  1. Performs special assignments as requested.
  1. Performs related work as required.

WORK CONTACTS

Regular contact with judges, court personnel, attorneys, county departments, external agencies, court and community service organizations, and the general public to promote conciliation court programs, provide explanations, coordinate activities, gather required information, respond to inquiries, and resolve complaints.

CONDITIONS OF WORK

Work is subject to varying post or job site assignments and may be subject to call-back or on-call status and irregular schedules to include completion of work assignments on weekends and holidays. Work is also subject to traveling and irregular hours in order to perform work assignments. May involve occasional light lifting of 25 lbs. or less.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Extensive knowledge of:

--principles and practices of social work, psychology, sociology, family and counseling, mediation, and parent education techniques.

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--community organizations, family services, social service planning, consultation services, and family and marital counseling.

--federal and state laws, regulations, rules and standards pertaining to the provision of marital counseling and mediation services.

Skill in:

--the operation of general office equipment such as computers, typewriters, calculators, facsimile machines, and photocopy machines.

Ability to:

--work in a team management environment and establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with others.

--conduct individual and group counseling sessions.

--conduct complex divorce mediation sessions.

--make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations.

--represent mediation programs to the community through presentations and education projects.

--analyze situations and determine appropriate or alternative actions.

--communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.

--counsel using reality-oriented, behavioral objectives and contracting procedures.

--understand concepts and ideas and exercise good judgement.

--maintain and uphold confidential communication and information.

--fulfill all physical requirements of the class.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Knowledge and experience equivalent to a master=s degree (as required by the State of Arizona - ARS 25-351 and Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 96-52) from an accredited college or university with a major in child development, family life education, marriage and family therapy, psychology, social work, counseling, or closely related field and three (3) or more years of progressively responsible administrative, professional or technical experience in domestic relations, family restructuring, child welfare, family dynamics, and training in domestic violence issues. OR an equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Must possess and maintain a valid driver=s license. Must provide acceptable driving history at no cost to the County.

DISCLAIMER

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY:Professional/Administrative

FLSA STATUS:Exempt (Judicial Merit System - Classified)

EFFECTIVE DATE:July 1, 1996

REVISED DATE:May 30, 1997

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