Family Resource Specialist

About the role

This is an unclassified position that serves at the pleasure of the Court. Under the general direction of the Court Administrator and Family Resource Coordinator, the Family Resource Specialist (FRS) would be responsible for conducting evaluations/assessments and services to assist litigants, their children, and the court.

Responsibilities

• Conduct brief, forensic family investigations in pending Court cases referred by the Judge and magistrates to determine child’s best interest regarding custody and parenting time through joint and individual parent and child interviews, and interviews with other family members or relevant persons and collection of relevant collateral information from various sources
• Analyze and evaluate complex interpersonal and family relationships, which require the application of specialized family counseling skills and knowledge of domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental illness
• Identify normal and dysfunctional interaction between family members and assess the needs of family members for appropriate outside agency assistance or further investigation to assess the need for referrals to appropriate outside entities
• Communicate to the Court Administrator and/or Family Resource Coordinator all matters concerning case status and coordination
• Write comprehensive and well-organized reports
• Serve as a witness providing expert testimony
• Maintain records of appointments
• Adhere to evidence-based practices for assessment and evaluation of child custody and parenting time; including but not limited to the use of a variety of inventories and testing measures
• Adhere to legal and professional standards and procedures
• Remain current on existing research on topics related to child custody, parenting time, evaluations, grant opportunities, and program funding; Write clear and succinct grant proposals and requests for program funding
• Maintain confidentiality with regard to information received and observed as a function of the position
• Work on special projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Graduate degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Marriage and Family Therapy
• Licensed to practice in Ohio as a professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist
• Three (3) years of clinical experience with individuals, couples and families
• Family forensic experience preferred

Skills

• Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external customers, both orally and in writing
• Organize and prioritize work assignments, multi task with accurate focus and refocus in a fast paced environment
• Deliver excellent customer service, externally and internally
• Efficiently operate computer programs such as, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and agency specific programs (e.g. Courtview, SmartBench, Zoom, AV equipment)
• Proficiency in grammar, writing, mathematical skills, spelling, and punctuation
• Thorough knowledge, adherence and aptitude to follow safety policies, procedures and practices
• Thorough knowledge, adherence and aptitude to follow federal, state, county, and department policies and procedures, laws and regulations
• Knowledge of child and adult developmental psychology, the changing family life cycle, behavior, and psychopathology; family dynamics and systems theory; effects of divorce on children; and ethnic and cultural issues
• Understanding and maintenance of the differences between forensic and clinical roles
• Working knowledge of domestic relations court practices, procedures, and applicable statutes and rules as it pertains to child custody and parenting time, including “best interest of the child” standard
• Skills in interviewing and facilitating communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds and assisting parties in identifying and resolving conflict
• Excellent observation, listening, oral, and writing skills
• Skills in writing comprehensive reports with internal consistency where conclusions and recommendations are based on data and existing research when applicable
• Skills in testifying effectively as an expert witness in court proceedings including maintaining consistency with data contained in the evaluation
• Ability to submit Evaluation Reports utilizing the following guidelines: (1) Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities within 115 days from time of assignment (2) Brief Focused Evaluation within 85 days from time of assignment
• Ability to work with high conflict families
• Ability to use therapeutic confrontation when inconsistent data is presented
• Ability to understand, respect, and empathize with parties from diverse backgrounds and socio-economic groups; remain neutral, objective, and non-combative; exhibit good intuition and reading of people; identify and control conflict dynamics
• Ability to work under stress and time constraints and meet report deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to communicate courteously and cooperatively with the public, management, and co-workers
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Learn electronic case management programs

Benefits

Delaware County offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: health care, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), dental care, life insurance, pension, holidays, vacation, sick leave, and deferred compensation plans. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.