Family Court Services Manager

Company: Superior Court of CA, Santa Clara County
Location: San Jose
Posted on: January 24, 2023

Job Description:

Definition/Description: Under the general direction of a higher level of management staff, the Family Court Services Manager plans, administers, and manages the functions and operations of Family Court Services, Juvenile Dependency Mediations, and Probate Investigations as follows: ensures appropriate resources are available; develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and standards applicable to the area of Family Court Services, Juvenile Dependency Mediations, Guardianship Family Conferences, and Probate Investigations, and ensures they are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations and applicable state and local rules of court; interacts with a variety of judicial officers, court executives, and court staff; and performs related tasks within areas of assignment, including, as needed, tasks performed by mediators and senior mediators.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification serves in a management capacity, and is responsible for coordinating and administering programs related to Family Court Services, Juvenile Dependency Mediations, Guardianship Family Conferences, and Probate Court Investigations.

The position provides leadership to professional-level Mediators, Senior Mediators, Probate Court Investigators, and the Probate Court Investigator Supervisor who are engaged in mediating or investigating family, dependency or probate law-related disputes while providing direct support and services to the Bench and court users.

The position interacts with other court managers and executive staff to meet the goals established by the unit, department, and the Court and conducts research and analysis on new policies and procedures that may increase the efficiency of the unit. This classification reports to a higher level of management staff.

The position must comply with all requirements of the California Rules of Court and Family Code, including but not limited to training, continuing education, and experience requirements for evaluators, investigators or mediators.

Typical Tasks/Representative Duties:

These functions are intended as a general illustration of the work performed in this job classification and are not all inclusive for this position:

Plans, organizes, and coordinates court-wide Family Court Services work such as mediation and investigation services of family cases, Juvenile Dependency mediations, Guardianship Family Conferences and Probate Court investigations;
Plans, organizes, and coordinates the development, implementation, and operations of Family Court Services, Juvenile Dependency mediations, Guardianship Family Conferences and Probate Court Investigations, refining program objectives to better serve families and children;
Develops, maintains and implements administrative and operational policies and procedures, keeping abreast of current developments in applicable laws by reviewing and analyzing current and pending legislation to determine the potential impact on programs, policies, and procedures;
Selects, trains, evaluates and supervises staff, directly and through subordinate supervisors;
Provides effective leadership to assigned staff, working with applicable units to identify best practices and strategies for operational goals and objectives;
Develops, participates in, and implements continuing education programs and yearly training for self and applicable units for the maintenance of professional education requirements, including certifications, as required by the State of California and all statutes and rules of court, including but not limited to Family Code sections 1815, 1816, 3020 and 3165 and California Rules of Court, rules 5.210, 5.215 and 5.230;
Confers with judges on administrative and procedural matters to help support Superior Court goals, policies and procedures;
Acts as a liaison for the Family Court Services and Probate Court Investigators units with other departments within Superior Court and external agencies as necessary;
Answers complex inquiries and complaints within areas of expertise from judges, attorneys, members of the public and Court staff;
Monitors applicable budgets; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with fiscal policies;
Works with members of the public, community groups, multi-discipline counseling professionals from public and private agencies, and representatives of the State and other courts to represent the Court;
Participates in the development of related policies, procedures, and training programs in collaboration with the Judicial Council of California's Center for Families, Children and the Courts and other professional organizations;
Serves on committees and task forces within the Court and external agencies;
Performs other duties as assigned.

Employment Standards/Typical Qualifications:

At least two years of experience as a supervisor and either:

A master's degree in psychology, social work, marriage, and child counseling, or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships with a California State License as a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and at least five years of experience in counseling or psychotherapy (or both), preferably a setting related to the areas of responsibility of Family Court Services, which directly demonstrates the possession and application of the knowledge and abilities required for this position.; or
An active member of the California State Bar with at least five years of experience in the full-time practice of law and experience in the areas of mediation or domestic violence (or both), preferably in a setting related to the areas of responsibility of Family Court Services, which directly demonstrates the possession and application of the knowledge and abilities required for this position.
Knowledge of:

Crisis intervention techniques, effects of divorce, domestic violence and parental chemical dependency on children and child custody research;
Community resources;
Local, state, federal laws, and Court and courtroom procedures used in Family Law and Juvenile Dependency cases and Probate guardianships and conservatorships;
Operations, services and activities of a court mediation program;
Principles and practices of marriage and family counseling;
Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation; principles of management, supervision, training and development, and employee evaluation;
Public and community relations issues relating to family and children's issues;
Principles of grant application and management and public agency budgeting;
Administrative strategies and methods, including goal setting, short and long- term planning and problem solving;
Legal terminology, forms, and procedures;
Resources available to stay updated on current principles and practices in the field of mediation;
General function and organization of the judicial system, including various departments of the Court and case types;
Computer hardware and software applications within assigned area.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, administer, manage, and coordinate the functions, operations, and services consistent with the policies and goals of the Court.
Interpret, explain and apply a variety of codes, statutes, rules, protocols, policies, procedures, instructions, and regulations related to Family Court Services, Juvenile Dependency Mediations and Probate guardianships and conservatorships.
Develop and implement policies, procedures, protocols, and work standards.
Analyze complex technical and administrative problems, evaluating alternatives.
Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
Effectively represent the Court in answering questions, responding to inquiries, providing assistance, and dealing with concerns from judicial officers, litigants, community organizations, Court staff, government agencies, and the general public.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Manage employees through subordinate supervisors in a Court environment.
Schedule and redeploy staff resources to meet demands in a timely and efficient manner.
Utilize tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
Use sound judgment and make appropriate decisions.
Revise and adapt procedures to changing needs.
Meet deadlines while being able to handle conflicting demands.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Travel to locations within the county and/or to other jurisdictions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Conduct presentations for both small and large audiences;
Utilize available resources such as computer software and information databases to aid in the provision of effective Family Court services;

Supplemental Information:

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment is generally clean, inside buildings, with limited exposure to dust, fumes, odors, and noise. Incumbents will be working under sometimes difficult and stressful conditions, with frequent deadlines and expectation to produce high quality work under limited time constraints as well as periodic contact with angry and confrontational individuals. The ability to work independently as well as closely with others is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Frequent and ongoing use of a computer terminal to conduct a variety of the essential job duties and communications.
Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees in other court divisions, government agencies, the public, and/or vendors with the ability to converse and respond appropriately to inquiries and requests.
Periodic to regular lifting, walking, and carrying of files, documents, and other court related materials. Incumbents must have the ability to lift and carry 10 lbs.
Work with time constraints and under pressure in some situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis.
Ability to listen to verbal requests from the public and court staff, then respond appropriately.
Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper, occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs., such as files, stacks of paper, reference books, and other materials.
Frequent need to reach for items above and below desk level, sometimes with the assistance of a ladder or stepstool.
Standing and sitting for long periods of time is periodically required

EXAMINATION: A screening panel will be convened to select those applicants deemed most qualified to participate in a written and/or oral examination. The examination process will include one or more of the following: application appraisal; written examination; oral examination.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: This recruitment requires the submission of an on-line application. No paper applications will be accepted. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire required. An electronic copy of your Resume must also be submitted as an attachment to this application submission.

The Court is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status. The Court provides reasonable accommodations for applicants challenged with disabilities. If you are challenged with a disability as defined by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act or the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and will be requesting an accommodation in the application process, please contact Renee Hughes at rhughes@scscourt.org or Pam McGee pmcgee@scscourt.org or (408) 882-2703 to discuss your request. TDD communication is available by calling (408) 882-2787.

The Court must verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees to comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act. This verification is required only after an offer of employment has been made. For further information regarding the required verification, please contact Human Resources at (408) 882-2747.

BENEFITS: The Court-offered benefits package includes a choice of health, dental and vision plan, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) as permitted by law, life insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

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