Description

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed for the minimum qualifications of the position. Those applicants who, based on their application, meet the minimum qualifications, will be invited to a written examination. Applicants who receive a passing score on the written examination will be placed on an eligible list based on their scores. As openings occur within the Court, applicants will be invited to a selection interview based on their place on the eligible list.

This is a part-time position, 20 hours per week.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, conducts professional investigations regarding persons and issues related to pending matters before the court, prepares reports, and makes recommendations to the court; performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single level professional class responsible for conducting a variety of investigator roles. This class is distinguished from Family Court Mediator in that the latter mediates disputes and makes recommendations to the Court regarding custody and visitation matters.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Receives notification of petitions for new guardianships and conservatorships and conducts investigations to determine if guardianships and conservatorships are necessary.

Conducts investigations in guardianship and conservatorship matters by gathering, assessing and evaluating information regarding living and housing arrangements, care plans, and other information concerning the personal health and safety of proposed wards and conservatees through interviews, home visits and other sanctioned investigative methods.

Interviews proposed wards and conservatees in all petitions filed to establish guardianships or conservatorships; evaluates personal, educational, and social needs; investigates and determines facts and conditions surrounding controversies including issues of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse or neglect and substance abuse.

Within time frames that meet Court and statutory requirements, prepares reports for the Court documenting visits, the conservatees preference of conservator, and wards preference of guardian, the conservatees or wards desire for legal representation and making recommendations concerning the appropriateness of the conservatorship or guardianship.

Conducts periodic review of ongoing probate conservatorship cases to determine if the conservator is acting in the best interest of the conservatees; determines if the conservatee requires continuous conservatorship or desires a change of conservators; attempts to resolve deficiencies in care of placement and documents facts and findings.

In guardianship matters, checks references and reviews criminal history and child protective services information.

Interviews parents, children, and collateral parties (relatives, friends, attorneys, medical and psychiatric staff, various county departments, State agencies, and other concerned parties).

Attends hearings and testifies in Court as required.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Court appearances as needed.

If qualified, may provide child custody recommending counseling. Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience, which demonstrates attainment of the required knowledge and ability to perform the required work, typically:

Education

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in a science, a social science, a behavioral science, liberal arts, or nursing from an accredited educational institution.

Experience

Minimum of two years employment experience performing casework or investigations in a legal, financial, law enforcement, or social services setting.

Knowledge of:

• California codes of law;
• Functions and operations of the State Judicial System;
• Trends and practices relative to custody and visitation;
• Signs and symptoms of alcohol/drug/sex abuse and domestic violence;
• The psychology of families and problems relating to children;
• The affects of marriage dissolution on children;
• Child custody research;
• Court procedures; legal and medical terminology and documents;
• Principles of interviewing and investigation;
• Problems of the elderly, developmentally disabled, and brain damaged;
• Childrens needs and special interests;
• Cross-cultural issues;
• General accounting procedures.

Ability to:

• Interview a variety of individuals including the elderly, developmentally disabled, children, and others in homes, hospitals, institutions, and other locations;
• Understand, interpret and apply pertinent provisions of the Probate Code, Civil Code, and other California Codes, Judicial Council and Superior Court rules and procedures;
• Understand complex issues;
• Interpret information from various sources, analyze problems and documents, and make appropriate recommendations;
• Investigate within the court-imposed time limits;
• Assess the physical, mental, and emotional needs of children;
• Write comprehensive, factually accurate reports; plan and organize work to meet deadlines;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.

Supplemental Information

Special Requirement

A valid class C California drivers license may be required. The requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.

Incumbent is required to dress in professional attire.

Licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed psychologist or licensed clinical social worker is desirable.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as bright/dim light or repetitive wrist motion.

The Superior Court of Stanislaus County, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Superior Court of Stanislaus County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.