Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator

About the Department

The Superior Court of California, County of Riverside is seeking a skilled Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator to join our Family Court Services team.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your clinical and mediation expertise in a setting where your work can have a meaningful and lasting impact on children and families.

As a Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator, you will work with parents navigating child custody and visitation disputes, helping them explore solutions that support the best interests of their children.

You will conduct confidential mediation, assess complex family dynamics, facilitate productive discussions between parties, and work toward mutually acceptable parenting plans.

When an agreement cannot be reached, you will evaluate the information presented and prepare a professional written recommendation for the Court.

In this role, you will: Conduct confidential mediation involving child custody and visitation matters. Interview parents and review court case information to identify issues and explore opportunities for resolution. Facilitate negotiations and help parties develop child custody and visitation agreements. Prepare clear, objective, and well-supported written recommendations for the Court when parties are unable to reach an agreement. Assess risk factors that may affect the safety and well-being of children, including domestic violence, substance abuse, and child abuse concerns. Collaborate with professionals and agencies such as Child Protective Services, therapists, minors' counsel, school personnel, supervised visitation monitors, and law enforcement. Provide professional guidance and information to the Court, parties, attorneys, community agencies, and members of the public. Stay current on developments in family law, child development, mental health, family dynamics, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. Provide testimony when ordered by the Court or subpoenaed. What We're Looking For The ideal candidate is an experienced counseling professional who is comfortable navigating high-conflict and emotionally sensitive situations while maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and discretion. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong skills in: Mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution Counseling and interviewing Assessing complex and conflicting information Family dynamics and child development Identifying concerns involving domestic violence, abuse, and substance abuse Written analysis and professional report writing Managing a demanding caseload and competing priorities Communicating effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds Exercising independent judgment in sensitive situations Minimum Qualifications Education: A master's degree in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, or another behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships.

At least two years of experience in counseling or psychotherapy, preferably in a setting related to the responsibilities of a family conciliation court and serving diverse populations.

Candidates must also meet the applicable requirements of California Family Code Sections 1815 and 1816 for Family Law conciliation assignments.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a current vacancy in Riverside, CA, and will also establish a countywide eligibility list for future vacancies.

For a complete list of the qualifications and essential duties, please refer to the job description .

The Superior Court of California, County of Riverside is seeking a skilled Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator to join our Family Court Services team.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your clinical and mediation expertise in a setting where your work can have a meaningful and lasting impact on children and families.

As a Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator, you will work with parents navigating child custody and visitation disputes, helping them explore solutions that support the best interests of their children.

You will conduct confidential mediation, assess complex family dynamics, facilitate productive discussions between parties, and work toward mutually acceptable parenting plans.

When an agreement cannot be reached, you will evaluate the information presented and prepare a professional written recommendation for the Court.

In this role, you will:

• Conduct confidential mediation involving child custody and visitation matters.
• Interview parents and review court case information to identify issues and explore opportunities for resolution.
• Facilitate negotiations and help parties develop child custody and visitation agreements.
• Prepare clear, objective, and well-supported written recommendations for the Court when parties are unable to reach an agreement.
• Assess risk factors that may affect the safety and well-being of children, including domestic violence, substance abuse, and child abuse concerns.
• Collaborate with professionals and agencies such as Child Protective Services, therapists, minors' counsel, school personnel, supervised visitation monitors, and law enforcement.
• Provide professional guidance and information to the Court, parties, attorneys, community agencies, and members of the public.
• Stay current on developments in family law, child development, mental health, family dynamics, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Provide testimony when ordered by the Court or subpoenaed.

The ideal candidate is an experienced counseling professional who is comfortable navigating high-conflict and emotionally sensitive situations while maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and discretion.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong skills in:

• Mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution
• Counseling and interviewing
• Assessing complex and conflicting information
• Family dynamics and child development
• Identifying concerns involving domestic violence, abuse, and substance abuse
• Written analysis and professional report writing
• Managing a demanding caseload and competing priorities
• Communicating effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Exercising independent judgment in sensitive situations

Education: A master's degree in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, or another behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships.

At least two years of experience in counseling or psychotherapy, preferably in a setting related to the responsibilities of a family conciliation court and serving diverse populations.

Candidates must also meet the applicable requirements of California Family Code Sections 1815 and 1816 for Family Law conciliation assignments.

Riverside is the fourth largest county in California and the 10th largest in the United States. There are f ourteen court facilities span ning 7,300 square miles that serves Riverside’s 2.4 million residents. The courts and its em p loyees hold a unique role in the public sector. The mission of the Riverside Superior Court is , “… in a fair, accessible, effective, and efficient manner, resolve disputes arising under the law and interpret and apply the law consistently, impartially, and independently to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of California and of the United States. ”

At Riverside Superior Court, we reward hard work and dedication ! We offer : A nnual merit increase s for satisfactory job performance A robust benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance A pension plan provided by the California Public Employer's Retirement System also known as CalPERS. You will contribute between 7% and 8% of your biweekly pay, depending on your membership status Optional deferred compensation program s Generous leave accruals Fourteen (14) paid holidays Bereavement leave Tuition discounts Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification

At Riverside Superior Court, we reward hard work and dedication !

We offer :

• A nnual merit increase s for satisfactory job performance
• A robust benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
• A pension plan provided by the California Public Employer's Retirement System also known as CalPERS. You will contribute between 7% and 8% of your biweekly pay, depending on your membership status
• Optional deferred compensation program s
• Generous leave accruals
• Fourteen (14) paid holidays
• Bereavement leave
• Tuition discounts
• Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification

All applicants are required to submit a completed online application and supplemental questionnaire.

To learn more about how to create an application, click HERE .

Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire.

Human Resources will review applications to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; therefore, it is to your benefit to include all current and previous related work experience.

When listing Court experience, please include dates and classification of each position held, if more than one.

Selection Procedures: This recruitment will remain open until the needs of the Court have been met and may close at any time.

However, the deadline to apply for first round consideration is Thursday, September 03, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

All applications will be reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; those candidates deemed most qualified may be invited to an online or written assessment, if applicable.

Candidates who take and successfully pass the assessment may be invited to an oral panel interview.

Candidates who are successful in the interview may be placed on an eligible list.

Placement on an eligible list is not a guarantee of employment.

Additional steps for the selection process may include a comprehensive background check and drug test.

Status Notifications You will be notified by email and/or text message during the process of this recruitment through governmentjobs.com.

Please check your email spam/junk folders and accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and riverside.courts.ca.gov.

If your information changes, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

Reasonable Accommodations Riverside Superior Court provides reasonable accommodations upon request for applicants with disabilities.

Please contact the Human Resources Department at 951-777-3017 or Recruitment @riverside.courts.ca.gov if you feel you will need an accommodation for any aspect of the selection process.

The Human Resources Department requests that it be advised of special needs at least five days prior to the examination so that a reasonable accommodation may be made.

At the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, we are committed to not only providing a rewarding career but also taking care of our employees in every way possible.

We understand that your health and well-being are just as important as your work, which is why we offer a powerhouse benefits package designed with YOU in mind.

Here’s what you get when you join our team: Top-Tier Health Coverage : Premium medical plans through CalPERS, plus Delta Dental and VSP Vision to keep you and your family healthy and smiling.

Substantial Contributions: Receive court contributions towards the cost of medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family.

Eight of our ten medical plan options are covered at 100% , which means you will have absolutely zero out-of-pocket monthly premium costs, helping you stay healthy without breaking the bank!

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Court Contributions: Employee Only: $1,264/month Employee + 1 Dependent: $2,117/month Employee + Family: $2,754/month Financial Flexibility : Save smart with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Peace of Mind : Secure supplemental life insurance benefits through Lincoln Financial .

Court paid basic life/accidental dismemberment (AD&D) insurance in the amount of: $50,000/$50,000 Golden Retirement : Build a strong future with a CalPERS pension and additional Nationwide 457(b) retirement savings options.

Emotional Wellness : Access confidential support through our court provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP) whenever you need it.

Work-Life Balance You Can Count On: Generous Paid Time Off 14 Paid Holidays Depending on your role, you may be eligible for: 9/80 Schedule: Work 80 hours over 9 days. 4/10 Schedule: Work four 10-hour days with a three-day weekend, every week .

Hybrid Work Options: Some positions may qualify for a hybrid schedule , blending in-office collaboration with the convenience of remote work.

Bereavement Leave for life's toughest moments Tuition Discounts to help you grow and learn Crushing Student Debt?

We’ve got you covered.

We offer eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification —so you can keep building your career and wipe out your student loans.

This is more than a job—it’s a career with purpose, benefits, and a team that’s got your back.

At the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, we are committed to not only providing a rewarding career but also taking care of our employees in every way possible.

We understand that your health and well-being are just as important as your work, which is why we offer a powerhouse benefits package designed with YOU in mind.

Here’s what you get when you join our team:

• Top-Tier Health Coverage : Premium medical plans through CalPERS, plus Delta Dental and VSP Vision to keep you and your family healthy and smiling.
• Substantial Contributions: Receive court contributions towards the cost of medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family. Eight of our ten medical plan options are covered at 100% , which means you will have absolutely zero out-of-pocket monthly premium costs, helping you stay healthy without breaking the bank!

• Employee Only: $1,264/month
• Employee + 1 Dependent: $2,117/month
• Employee + Family: $2,754/month
• Financial Flexibility : Save smart with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Peace of Mind : Secure supplemental life insurance benefits through Lincoln Financial .
• Court paid basic life/accidental dismemberment (AD&D) insurance in the amount of: $50,000/$50,000
• $50,000/$50,000
• Golden Retirement : Build a strong future with a CalPERS pension and additional Nationwide 457(b) retirement savings options.
• Emotional Wellness : Access confidential support through our court provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP) whenever you need it.

• Depending on your role, you may be eligible for: 9/80 Schedule: Work 80 hours over 9 days. 4/10 Schedule: Work four 10-hour days with a three-day weekend, every week . Hybrid Work Options: Some positions may qualify for a hybrid schedule , blending in-office collaboration with the convenience of remote work.
• 9/80 Schedule: Work 80 hours over 9 days.
• 4/10 Schedule: Work four 10-hour days with a three-day weekend, every week .
• Hybrid Work Options: Some positions may qualify for a hybrid schedule , blending in-office collaboration with the convenience of remote work.
• Bereavement Leave for life's toughest moments
• Tuition Discounts to help you grow and learn

Crushing Student Debt?

We’ve got you covered.

We offer eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification —so you can keep building your career and wipe out your student loans.

This is more than a job—it’s a career with purpose, benefits, and a team that’s got your back.

• Yes
• No
• Yes
• No
• Yes
• No
• Yes
• No
• None
• Less than High School or GED
• High School or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Counseling
• Behavioral Science
• Other
• None

• Other
• None
• Yes
• No
• None
• One year or less
• Two years
• Three years
• Four or more years
• Yes
• No
• Yes
• No