Family Mediator

THIS WORK MATTERS!

The Department of Community Justice is currently recruiting for a full-time Family Mediator (Marriage and Family Counselor classification) for our Family Resolution Services unit. The mission of Family Resolution Services is to offer conflict resolution and parent information services to support positive connections as families change. We strive to be equity and trauma informed in the provision of all of our services, as well as how we operate as a team.

As a Family Mediator, you will be responsible to provide equitable and culturally responsive custody and parenting time orientation, mediation and co-mediation, conflict coaching/counseling, information, and scheduling and referral services to parents experiencing the transition of separation or divorce to effective co-parenting. You will also provide outreach and specialized case management/pre-mediation services to parents under the Parental Access and Visitation (PAV) grant to support families when there has been a disruption in parenting time.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing child custody and parenting time mediation including mediation orientation and preparing written mediated agreements.

• Utilizing knowledge of domestic violence, substance use disorders, child abuse and interpersonal conflict to conduct safe and appropriate outreach and mediation. 

• Delivering equity informed supportive services to marginalized parents who have had a disruption in their parenting access including the following: 

  • outreach to custodial parent;

  • assisting non-custodial parents with navigating Family Law system;

  • explaining Court processes to parents;

  • discussing options for custodial parent to engage in mediation safely;

  • educating parents on child development;

  • discussing the impact on the child of separation from a parent including ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) information;

  • offering alternative parenting plan options such as supervised and step up parenting plans;

  • utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to support parents engaging in the change process; 

  • facilitating mediation when appropriate. 

• Assisting with compiling data for federal PAV grant reporting requirements on a quarterly basis.

• Providing Co-Parent Communication and Skills coaching to higher conflict parents.

• Imparting mentoring and training to new domestic relations mediators/interns.

Workforce Equity:  At Multnomah County, we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE:

Vision ~ Community Safety through Positive Change

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is recognized as a national leader in both adult and juvenile community justice. DCJ routinely consults and makes use of evidence-based practices in our program and policy development. The Department's commitment to data-informed decision-making has led DCJ to make smart investments of taxpayer dollars in supervision, sanctions, and services for the county's highest risk and highest need justice-involved individuals. DCJ makes long-term investments in its employees through the provision of education and training. The Department believes that in order to enhance public safety we must work collaboratively with the judiciary, law enforcement, schools, treatment agencies, and the community.

The Department shares information with community members, partners, and staff to keep communities safe by preventing and reducing crime and routinely evaluating which local policies support best practices. DCJ operates 24 hours a day, with nearly 650 regular, on-call, and temporary employees. The Department supervises justice-involved individuals and those defendants requiring pretrial services. DCJ's Juvenile Services Division operates the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility and is responsible for youth on formal and informal community supervision

More general information about the Department of Community Justice including our mission, vision, and strategies can be found at: www.multco.us/dcj.

The Department of Community Justice's Strategic Plan (Executive Summary and Full report) can be found at: https://multco.us/file/68223/download.

Come Find Your Why, then Come Work For Us

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Every day, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

*Note: This recruitment may be used to fill future regular, temporary, on-call, or limited duration status positions.

*Internal candidates: After you have applied, you will receive an acknowledgement task and the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you complete and submit these tasks in Workday.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Master's degree, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university with major course work in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field demonstrating the capacity for the required knowledge and skills, and

• At least five years of increasingly responsible work with families

• Able to meet the state requirements for court connected Domestic Relations Mediators Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR) Link within one year of hire

• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Bilingual

• Has already met all of the current Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR)  Link

• At least two years equivalent full time Experience (paid or volunteer) conducting civil or domestic relations mediation

• Experience with adult education and public presentations via Zoom or other virtual platforms

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The Application Packet: Please be sure to provide all the materials below in your application submission:

• Online application (required): Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.

• Attach a resume (required): Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Attach the document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid.

• Cover Letter (optional): Please explain why you are applying for this position and describe:

  • Why you are interested in the position

  • How you meet the qualifications for this position

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

 Initial review of minimum qualifications

• Initial review of minimum qualifications

• A phone screen, oral exam, written exam, or an application review may be used to identify the most qualified candidates

• Consideration of top candidates/Interviews

• Background Investigation/Fingerprinting

Equal Pay: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will consider factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Type of Position: This represented position is eligible for overtime and represented by the Local 88 AFSCME AFL-CIO union.

• FLSA: Non-Exempt

• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week

  • Monday: 10-or 10:30-7:00

  • Tuesday: 8:00 or 8:30-5

  • Wednesday: 8:00 or 8:30-5

  • Thursday: 8:00 or 8:30-5 (Office)

  • Friday: 8:00 or 8:30-5 (Office)

• Location: Multnomah County Courthouse @ 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204. This position's telework designation is hybrid and requires two (2) days in the office per week. Telework is subject to the Multnomah County Telework Policy and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington.

Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefit package to all eligible employees. A few highlights include:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Moda or Kaiser Permanente).

• Qualify for a defined benefit pension after five years of vesting; we pick up the employee's share of the retirement contribution (6% of subject wages).

• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, parental, bereavement, military, etc.)

• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes

• Access to a free annual TriMet HOP pass