General Summary

$81,732 - $109,505
This position is on-site

Are you passionate about helping families navigate difficult transitions and reach solutions that support the well-being of children? Join Oakland County's Friend of the Court team and use your mediation, interviewing, and conflict-resolution skills to assist families with child custody and parenting-time matters.

What You'll Do
- Provide mediation services to help parties voluntarily resolve disputes involving child custody and parenting time.
- Conduct court-ordered home investigations and office interviews with individuals involved in divorce, separation, or paternity proceedings.
- Gather and evaluate economic, family, and environmental information concerning households with minor dependent children.
- Summarize and analyze findings and prepare clear written recommendations regarding custody, parenting time, and related matters.
- Present recommendations for review and determination by Friend of the Court Referees and Family Division Judges.
- Provide crisis and dispute-resolution counseling to help parents understand the effects of separation and divorce on their children.
- Guide parents in identifying practical alternatives and developing solutions to custody and parenting-time concerns.
- Maintain accurate records and complete assignments using countywide and department-specific software.

Why You'll Love It Here
- Make a meaningful difference for children and families during challenging and emotionally sensitive circumstances.
- Use your mediation, counseling, interviewing, investigation, and analytical skills in a dynamic public-service role.
- Help parents reduce conflict and work toward constructive, child-focused solutions.
- Contribute thoughtful, well-supported recommendations that assist the Court in making important family decisions.
- Collaborate with experienced Friend of the Court professionals, Referees, and Family Division Judges.
- Enjoy meaningful work that combines direct family interaction, independent investigation, professional writing, and problem-solving.

Minimum Qualifications

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or closely related field.
• Have had at least two (2) years of full-time work experience in family counseling.
• Pass the complete examination, including the employment medical established for this classification.
• Successfully complete the six-month probationary period.

NOTE: Applicants possessing transcripts from a college or university outside of the United States will be required to provide documentation of degree equivalency from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://naces.org/members.html). The degree evaluation will be required for application processing.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Considerable knowledge of the court system in the State of Michigan and the procedures used in domestic relations matters.
• Considerable knowledge of resources available within the community to assist individuals with referrals.
• Considerable knowledge of child development, issues effecting children and the effects of separation and divorce on children.
• Considerable knowledge of and skill in investigating, interviewing, and counseling practices, procedures, and techniques.
• Considerable ability to exercise mature judgement and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions.
• Considerable ability to prepare and present written and oral reports.
• Reasonable ability to obtain cooperation from parents, family members, associated individuals, school authorities, and social agencies.
• Reasonable ability to cope with different situations requiring immediate decisions in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and Internet software.
• Reasonable knowledge of the Michigan Child Support Formula and how parenting time may impact child support in regard to the number of overnights.
• Reasonable knowledge of the software used to calculate support.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employees of this class must satisfactorily complete the Friend of the Court Bureau Mediation Training Program within one (1) year from date of employment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides domestic relations mediation to requesting parties in order to expedite resolutions of disputes involving child custody, parenting time, and/or removal of domicile.
• Prepares memorandums and consent orders specifying the agreement reached by both parties through mediation.
• Conducts office and field investigations and related interviews as ordered by the court or as required by statute, with each parent, child, attorney, clergy, and other involved individuals to obtain information about the home, family, financial, social and other related conditions pertaining to custody, parenting time, and/or removal of domicile in order to make recommendations to a Referee or Family Division Judge.

• Prepares detailed written reports by analyzing and summarizing the information gained in the interviews, investigations and from written resources such as school reports and psychological evaluations. Using the Michigan Child Custody Act as a guideline, makes a recommendation regarding custody, parenting time, and/or removal of domicile to a Friend of the Court Referee or Family Division Judge.
• Testifies before a Friend of the Court Referee or a Family Division Judge, pertaining to the information gathered in the interviews and investigations when custody, parenting time, and/or removal of domicile matters are contested.
• Performs investigations requested by out-of-county or out-of-state court agencies to provide needed information involving custody and parenting time disputes.
• Provides information and counseling to clients regarding court ordered parenting time and custody and provides guidelines and possible alternatives to assist in following court orders.
• Refers clients and their children to various social service agencies or family counseling services in order to provide help for emotional disorders, alcoholism, medical or financial problems.
• Provides information to clients regarding the effect of overnight custody on child support, using understanding of the Michigan Child Support Formula.
• Serves as mandatory reporter regarding abuse and neglect. Files appropriate reports with the Department of Human Services within mandated time frames when abuse and neglect are suspected. Serves as subject matter expert in this area to the Friend of the Court.
• Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screens cases for domestic violence.
• Presents at educational programs for parents and children including the SMILE program.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a typical office and courtroom environment.
• May be required to travel to other locations during the course of work.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The primary purpose of this job description is to set a fair and equitable salary range for this job classification. Generally, only those key duties necessary for proper job evaluation and/or labor market analysis has been included. Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

Union*
BU93- United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 889:Circuit Court Non-Supv (UAW)

*If applicable