Location
Description
The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is seeking qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Child Custody Recommending Counselor.
The Child Custody Recommending Counselor will provide mediation services and child custody recommending counseling as required by California Family Code section 3160 et seq, and will conduct investigations and prepare reports as provided in California Family Code section 3110 et seq and Family Code section 7851 and 9001. The candidate hired for the position will work in any court department and must be able to travel to any court location in the county.
Our ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- An understanding of cultural diversity issues.
- Energy and dedication with an appreciation of the diverse communities served by the Superior Court.
- Experience working with families and children.
- Recent job history working with clients who may have limited English literacy skills. Oral and written proficiency in English, as well as bilingual skills in Spanish, Filipino, Mandarin, or Cantonese are preferred.
- Understanding of adult psychopathology and the psychology of families.
- Knowledge of the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on families and best practices for treatment.
- Experience working with parents in crisis to help them focus on the best interest of their children.
- Ability to use communication and problem-solving skills to assist parties who may be in high conflict.
- Ability to assist the court in making child custody orders that are best for children.
Additionally, the ideal candidate will have an LCSW, LMFT, MSW, MFT, or PhD license issued in California and/or additional qualifying post-degree experience.
The court serves a diverse community, so bilingual skills are desired for this position.
Our mission is to apply the law fairly to protect individual freedom and to promote the welfare of the people. Please visit http://www.sanmateocourt.org/ for more information on our organization.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Providing mediation and, when required, recommendations to the Court in unresolved custody and visitation matters.
- With parental consent, consulting with involved professionals regarding a family. Testifying in court as required.
- Preparing clear, concise, and accurate written reports to the Court in a timely manner. Providing community referrals as needed.
- Educating parents regarding mediation and parenting plans that are in the best interests of children.
- Assisting the Court in determining the appropriateness of stepparent adoptions; and declaring a minor Free from Custody and Control (FCC).
- Performing related duties as assigned.
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.
Qualifications
Experience and Education: As required by the Family Code and the California Rules of Court, applicants for positions in this classification must have the following minimum qualifications:
- Experience: Two years of experience in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the areas of responsibility of the family conciliation court and with the diverse population to be served.
- Education: A master's degree in psychology, social work, marriage, family, and child counseling, or other behavioral sciences substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships.
Knowledge of:
- Adult Psychopathology, family psychology, child development, child abuse, the effects of divorce on children, the effects of domestic violence on children, child custody research, and clinical issues relating to children.
- Domestic violence issues as described in Family Code Section 1816.
- Principles and techniques of family mediation.
- Crisis intervention techniques.
- Cultural diversity issues.
- Community resources for client referral.
- Laws, rules, regulations, policies, and legislation related to Court operations and functions, particularly those related to family law and court mediation.
- Ethical standards which promote fairness and encourage trust in the mediation process.
Skill/ Ability to:
- Prepare well written, thorough reports, which include information regarding a family from various professional sources.
- Assess the mental health needs of children.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties, including fellow employees, members of the judiciary, behavioral specialists, service providers, and the public.
- Learn the Federal, State, and local regulations and guidelines related to assigned duties.
- Perform the full range of the assigned duties with minimal supervision.
Application/Examination
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current employees of the Superior Court of California in the County of San Mateo with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.
Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidate's application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).
Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Recruitment Opens: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, by 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: November 17-19, 2025
Civil Service Panel Interview: December 1 and/or 2, 2025
About San Mateo County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The Court seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Note: The Human Resources Department of the County of San Mateo is conducting this recruitment on behalf of the Superior Court. This position is with the Superior Court of California in San Mateo County.
Analyst: Chet Overstreet (10-2054) (Child Custody Recommending Counselor - X007)