Summary
This position is located in the Domestic Relations Branch of the Family Court Operations Division. The Custody Assessor is responsible for providing decision-making assistance to the judicial officers presiding over domestic relations cases in which child custody is disputed by conducting initial meetings with involved parties and where indicated conducting investigations or custody assessments.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residency or authorized by the United State Citizenship and Immigration Service to work in the United States.
Duties
Brief Description of Duties:
- Conducts initial meetings with parties in disputed custody cases to provide fact-based information that is used to aid the judicial officers in reaching a decision regarding custody.
- Conducts assessments relative to the case, including interviews with the parties and the child, where developmentally appropriate; observations of the child with each party; objective description concerning the needs of the child; interviews with other appropriate individuals, and other means of fact development as specifically ordered by the Court.
- Conducts investigations, at the home and school of the child, including objective observations about the child's residence or another location that they frequent; interviews with other appropriate parties, such as adults living in a party's residence, school social workers, teachers, and psychotherapists.
- Reviews collateral sources of information related to the care and well-being of the child, e.g., educational, medical, and legal records pertaining to the issue of custody.
- Maintains appropriate case documentation, i.e., all contacts, documents, or other possible forms of evidence on which an assessment could rely.
- Maintains case confidentiality.
- Writes assessment reports within a time standard specified by the standard operating procedures.
- Attends court hearings for the purpose of admitting a report and submits to cross-examination, when necessary.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Background and security investigation are required.
- A probationary period of one (1) year must be successfully completed.
To qualify for this position, you must submit the following:
- Resume
- Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
- Documentation/Proof of education (e.g. transcript or degree)
- Documentation/ Proof of Professional License (LGSW) from the District of Columbia Board of Social Work or Proof of Professional License (LGPC) from the District of Columbia Board of Professional Counseling
- Motor Vehicle Operator's Permit/License
- List of three (3) professional references
All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
A Master's degree in Social Work or Psychology and a graduate Social Worker License (LGSW) from the District of Columbia Board of Social Work (Department of Health, Health Professional Licensing Administration) or a graduate Professional Counselor License (LGPC) from the District of Columbia Board of Professional Counseling (Department of Health, Health Professional Licensing Administration) plus two (2) years of experience working in a social services environment performing activities such as assessments, evaluations, and intakes. Of the two years of experience, one (1) year must be in an office setting, public service agency, court, or legal environment assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of children and their family members.
Must possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's permit/license. A copy of your Motor Vehicle Operator's permit/license must be submitted prior to the appointment.
Must possess access to a registered vehicle for the use of conducting home assessments.
Documentation of education (copy of degree or transcript) and graduate Social Worker License (LGSW) or graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) from the District of Columbia Board must be submitted with your application, or your application will not be considered.
Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts is required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.
The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.
Education
To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This is not a federal position.
The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.
Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:
http://www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp
The DC Courts leave policy is as follows:
Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6)hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight(8)hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.
Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four(4)hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.
In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.
Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
- Resume
- Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
- Documentation/Proof of education (e.g. transcript or degree)
- Documentation/ Proof of Professional License (LGSW) from the District of Columbia Board of Social Work or Proof of Professional License (LGPC) from the District of Columbia Board of Professional Counseling
- Motor Vehicle Operator's Permit/License
- List of three (3) professional references
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Next steps
Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.
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