Salary: $39.62 - $53.45 Hourly
Location : Bakersfield, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 039
Department: Family Court Services
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: 11/6/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
DescriptionMEDIATOR/INVESTIGATOR I/II Metro, Family Court Services - 039
This regular, full-time recruitment closes at 5:00 PM on November 6, 2026.Level I: $39.62 - $48.37 hourly
Level II: $43.78 - $53.45 hourly Under general supervision, the Mediator/Investigator is to conduct confidential mediation in family and dependency law and custody evaluations in family law cases; investigations in abandonment, stepparent adoptions, guardianship and conservatorship.
This is the entry and journey level of the Mediator/Investigator series. The classification encompasses both mediator and investigator roles, primarily in the family law and probate areas. Incumbents may need to conduct investigations to be able to mediate disputes. It is distinguished from the higher level Senior Mediator/Counselor class in that the latter may provide mentoring, training, work assignment, and direction to the Mediator/Investigator class and/or mediate the most complex cases.
Essential Functions - Conducts confidential mediation sessions in family law cases to assist in the resolution of child custody and visitation disputes between family members or in juvenile dependency cases.
- Assists parents in development of parenting plans.
- Conducts investigations in family law and probate matters.
- Interviews family members and children involved in investigations in order to develop recommendations for the court. Confers with medical providers, schools, Child Protective Services, mental health services, law enforcement, and others who may contribute information of value in investigations.
- Participates in training as outlined in the California Rules of Court.
- Maintains case records, writes reports and mediation agreements, and otherwise complies with administrative requirements of Family Court Services.
- Performs other job related duties as required.
Minimum QualificationsAt the I Level: Completion of a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, or related field AND eligibility for licensure and registration in the State of California as a Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist AND two (2) years of full-time paid experience providing individual, conjoint and family counseling.
At the II Level: Completion of a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, or related field AND licensure in the State of California as a Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist AND four (4) years of full-time paid experience providing individual, conjoint and family counseling, two (2) years of which are equivalent to a Mediator/Investigator I.
Knowledge of the California court system and the procedures used in family law cases; other resources in the community to which clients can be referred for assistance; adult psychopathology and the dynamics of families; child development, child abuse, clinical issues relating to children, the effects of divorce on children, the effects of domestic violence on children; and child custody research sufficient to enable a mediator/investigator to assess the mental health needs of children.
Ability to evaluate written documents; interview witnesses, parties, and obtain other sources of information to determine whether legal requirements to sustain petitions have been met; develop and understanding of legal codes and rules as they pertain to the work of Family Court Services; draft reports and recommendations to the court, testify in Court, and perform other duties as required.
Knowledge of the California court system and the procedures used in family law cases; other resources in the community to which clients can be referred for assistance; adult psychopathology and the dynamics of families; child development, child abuse, clinical issues relating to children, the effects of divorce on children, the effects of domestic violence on children; and child custody research sufficient to enable a mediator/investigator to assess the mental health needs of children.
Skills in time management; organization; personal computer and word processing software operation; strong oral and written communication skills.
Physical Requirements: ability to perform, with or without accommodations, sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Work involves frequent and/or prolonged sitting, standing, typing, walking, reaching, talking, hearing, and performing repetitive motions. Workers are required to have close visual acuity in order to prepare and analyze data and figures.
Miscellaneous Requirements (all levels): A valid class "C" California driver's license is required at the time of appointment. All candidates must have the ability to travel throughout Kern County.
Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).
Selection ProceduresAll applicants are required to submit an online application. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application. Status Notifications:
Notified by email through the governmentjobs.com site during the process of this recruitment. Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders and/or accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and kern.courts.ca.gov If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed during Court holidays.
To learn more about how to create an application click here Superior Court of California, County of Kern offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes but is not limited to medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; prescription coverage; life insurance; a defined benefit retirement plan and additional deferred compensation option; and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
