Address
Form of workPosition Title: Custody Evaluator - Social Worker/Counselor
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Deadline to Apply:
Open Until Filled
Work Location:
Hamilton County Domestic Relations Court
800 Broadway
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Work Hours:
Full-time/70 hours bi-weekly
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Starting Salary:
$31.32 hourly, non-exempt
INCLUDES:
•Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
•Wellness Program that offers cash incentives, free wellness screenings, and more.
•Access to Marathon Health Clinics in Cincinnati, offering services such as primary care, illness and injury care, labs, medication dispensing, and wellness services - all at no cost!
•Generous paid time off including vacation, personal days, sick leave, and 11 government holidays.
•Employee Assistance Program which offers support for a variety of work/life issues and includes up to 10 free counseling sessions per year.
•Flexible, tax-free spending accounts for costs related to healthcare, dependent care, and parking/transportation.
•Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS).
Requirements (Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification):
- Must possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling and 2 years of experience as a social worker, counselor, or in related field.
- Valid license to practice Social Work and/or Counseling as issued by the State of Ohio, Counselor and Social Worker Board.
Essential Duties:
- Investigate, perform interviews, and write reports for contested custody cases. Interview litigants and their children collecting data to generate comprehensive, well-written recommendations for judicial officers.
- Assess parental functioning and parent/child relationships utilizing clinical techniques with a focus on family dynamics and child development issues.
- Document communication between family members.
- Gather pertinent collateral information from community resources such as therapists, hospitals, and schools.
- Provide sound written recommendations to aid in resolving cases.
- Testify to support the recommendations.
- Perform intake services telephonically to assist litigants with resolving parental disputes.
- Teach “Parenting Through Transitions” class.
- Mediate pre- and post-decree cases to resolve parenting issues.
- Evaluate cases for the neutral evaluation dispute resolution process.
- Facilitate drug and alcohol screens.
- Provide a written report to the Court summarizing the screen results.
- Assist the Court with litigants considering reconciliation.
- Participate in staff meetings, supervision, in-service trainings, and ongoing education to enhance job knowledge.
- Set court hearings and send letters to court parties appropriately.
- Maintain professional license. Mentor co-workers.
- Maintain computer statistical database, including initiating all intake and evaluations on the computer, opening and closing cases, and documenting all work in the appropriate computer court management screen.
- Any and all other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (may be developed after employment)
Knowledge of:
- Clinical interviewing techniques, conflict/dispute resolution, family dynamics, divorce dynamics, and child developmental issues, as well as court procedures, legal concepts, and legal language.
- Applicable procedures and practices of the Court of Domestic Relations; including familiarity with the Local Rules of Practice, the Court’s personnel policies, and proper courtroom etiquette.
- Basic computer and office equipment skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Zoom Video Communications.
Ability to:
- Write clearly without grammatical/spelling errors or omissions.
- Provide recommendations based on sound professional practice.
- Provide clear testimony in court trials.
- Interview challenging, high-conflict clients.
- Resolve disputes; assess family dynamics and capacity to parent.
- Interview children of varying ages and provide clinical insight as to their best interest.
- Manage extensive caseload including a high level of accountability.
- Understand and navigate community resources.
- Advocate for the best interest of the child.
- Accept constructive criticism and direction.
- Work under pressure; maintain composure in dealing with potentially irate and hostile litigants.
- Treat litigants and counsel with respect and dignity.
- Must be a professional at all times and work cooperatively with all other departments within the Court and persons from other courts, agencies, and related departments.
- Maintain punctual and regular attendance, proper dress, and a positive attitude.
Skill in:
- Interviewing parents, children, and other involved parties.
- Writing clear, concise reports generating firm, sound recommendations.
- Completing tasks on time and free from excessive or recurring mistakes.
- Maintaining deadlines.
- Testifying to explain recommendations.
- Collaborating with judges, magistrates, and all co-workers.
- Organizational ability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
- Communication with staff and others, both orally and in written form.
- Operation of basic office machines, equipment, and Windows based computer system.
- Maintaining courteous telephone etiquette.
Physical Demands:
- Work may involve a significant amount of standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, stooping, crouching and reaching with hands and arms.
- Ability to transfer up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to sit continuously at a computer terminal for periods up to three hours.
- Ability to reach into file drawers in standard four drawer file cabinets.
- Visual ability sufficient to effectively operate a copier, facsimile machine and a computer terminal, and to read reports, correspondence and instructions.
- Hearing ability sufficient to converse with other individuals, both in person and by telephone.
- Speaking ability sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and by telephone.
