Mediator

Superior Court of California, County of Napa•Napa, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the mediator performs multi-party mediation and drafts agreements of the parties. Mediator will work 24 hours per week. Mediators perform their function in a neutral and impartial manner to assist high conflict parties resolve disputes in a non-adversarial manner reducing the need for further litigation. Incumbents mediate disputes in civil law matters primarily related to child custody and/or visitation issues that often involve parental conflicts, domestic violence, restraining orders, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

Requirements

Advanced mediation and facilitation theories, principles, practices and techniques applicable to multi-party cases and of interviewing for the purpose of assessing families, parents and children.
General legal principles including civil law and procedure, family law, consumer law, probate and child welfare; functions and organization of the judicial system, including the various divisions of the court and other partnership agencies.
Counseling and social work theory, practices and techniques including developmental psychology, educational psychology, psychopathology, family dynamics, family systems, domestic violence, substance abuse treatment and prevention, risk assessment, crisis intervention and interaction between developmental needs and appropriate visitation and custody arrangements.
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 counselor to assess the mental health needs of children.
Cultural and socio-economic issues, and conditions relevant to the work, including cross-generational issues, local demographics and the impact of poverty on family relationships; special needs of dependent children, including their educational, medical, psychosocial and mental health needs.
Community and agency resources and services for dealing with domestic and family violence, substance abuse, housing, educational, medical, psychosocial and mental health needs of families.
Current trends in the field of counseling, social work, psychology and law.
Legal and ethical issues pertaining to delivery of professional services.
Encourage open communications to develop agreements while maintaining confidentiality and neutrality.
Learn, understand, and apply civil law and other statutes to areas of assigned responsibility.
Effectively use specialized knowledge of theories and practice to diffuse conflict while working with litigants within established ethical boundaries.
Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, discretion, courtesy and judgment in handling highly emotional issues with a variety of people, from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Incorporate latest training and information about trends into practice.
Operate a computer using standard business software and other standard office equipment.
Communicate clearly and effectively in English.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial staff and community-based partners.
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
Education equivalent to a Master of Arts Degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships plus substantial experience in mediation and custody investigations, family counseling, child protective services, or family conciliation.
Two years of experience or more in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the areas of responsibility of the family conciliation court and with the ethnic population to be served.
A valid California Class C Driver’s License or the ability to use private transportation, properly insured, to travel throughout Napa County.

Nice To Haves

A licensed mental health professional.
Oral and written fluency in Spanish.
Proficient use of Microsoft Office suite of programs.

Responsibilities

Conducts confidential non-recommending mediation of assigned child custody/visitation disputes in cases of separation or divorce, often involving substance abuse, domestic violence or mental health issues.
Assists parties in reaching fully informed agreements in the best interest of the child.
Conducts confidential conferences to understand the positions of the parties with the goal of reaching consensus.
Examines the needs of involved children.
Prepares custody/visitation parenting plans for signature by the parties.
Conducts confidential non-recommending mediation of civil matters including family law issues, small claims, landlord/tenant, neighbor disputes, and other matters as assigned by the court.
Educates the parties about the court system, scope of mediation services, and when appropriate, the impacts of divorce, separation, and other conflicts on children and other human development issues, such as bonding and developmental stages.
Assesses risk factors including domestic violence, lethality, and potential for danger to self and others; takes appropriate action to secure safe participation in mediation.
Reports child abuse and neglect cases to appropriate authorities in accordance with statutory requirements.
Completes reports and contacts agencies as required by law.
Monitors current developments in the law, clinical studies, trends, and other information pertaining to subject areas related to the assignment including child development and healthy family relationships.
Performs administrative duties to update case management systems.
Maintains confidentiality of court records and documents.
Participates in state and regional training including domestic violence training.
Responds to crisis situations in a professional manner.
Performs other duties as assigned.