Forensic Family Clinician I

SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the unit supervisor, this position, assists the Court in resolving domestic
relations disputes by providing psycho-social assessments and/or mediation services; provides families
involved in domestic relations disputes with alternative dispute resolution and evaluations concerning
child support, custody, parenting time, and other family issues in accordance with State and Federal law;
provides assessment and psychotherapeutic services, to children, families, and adults involved with the
Juvenile Court.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Develops and provides evaluative services to jurists through parental involvement,
assessments/mediation, and collateral contacts.
• Provides strength-based treatment planning and therapy services via outpatient therapy for
competency restoration and sex offender programing.
• Supervises graduate level students (interns) as necessary; and serves as an administrative
backup to the unit supervisor.
• Assists with planning, development, and the implementation of programs and procedures.
• Assess litigants and children to provide recommendations to the Court regarding child support,
and the custody, change of domicile, and parenting time of children.
• Assess children and parents to provide recommendations to the Court regarding the best interest
of children in protective hearings and adoption matters.
• Assess youth to provide recommendations to the Court regarding delinquency matters, utilizing a
risk and needs assessment, mental health screener and matrix.
• Provides expert testimony to the Court as requested/needed.
• Ensures that documentation requirements of case activities are met by maintaining current case
and statistical records, including as applicable complying with all Court, Clinic, Community Mental
Health, Medicaid and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards.
• Generates documents and correspondence, including composition, proofreading, and checking
work for accuracy.
• Provides youths and families with referrals to professionals and resources that assist with
treatment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
• Master’s degree or higher Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Counseling, from an
accredited college or university.
• One (1) year of experience providing therapeutic services, assessments and/or mediation
services for children and families (may include legal conflicts regarding child custody and/or
parenting time).
• Current Michigan Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Limited Licensed Master Social
Worker (LLMSW), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Limited Licensed Professional
Counselor (LLPC), or Licensed Psychologist (LP), or Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP), or
Temporary Limited License Psychologist (TLLP), all of which must be in good standing.
• In compliance with Administrative Order No. 1985-5 (as amended), all applicants,
contractors, and employees within the Family Juvenile Division and Family
Assessment Services must provide and maintain compliant credentials. All credentials
must be submitted directly to Human Resources.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and relevant software and systems.
• If an employee drives on behalf of the Court, the employee must possess and maintain a valid
Michigan driver’s license, no fault insurance and access to a vehicle to use in the performance of
assigned duties.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Strong ability to apply general rules to specific situations to achieve positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills to explain court procedures and information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and effective in high-stress situations.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, court personnel, and external partners.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong public interaction skills and the ability to address questions and concerns courteously and effectively.
• Proficiency in operating standard office equipment.
• Competence in conducting psychological testing for children, adolescents, and adults.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions, seeking clarification when necessary.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate different approaches.
• Comprehensive knowledge of community resources.
• Excellent written communication skills for preparing reports and recommendations.
• Effective time management skills.
• Working knowledge of court processes and procedures.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Successful completion of criminal and IV-D background check, fingerprinting and rechecks.
• In certain assignments, the candidate must be qualified as a mediator or become qualified under as a mediator under MCR 3.216 within six (6) months of assignment.
• In certain assignments, must attend training and pass the exam for qualified forensic juvenile mental health professionals within six (6) months of hire per MCL 712A.1(o).
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the title. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Specific job duties vary from position to position.

Grant funded positions are contingent on availability of grant funding and may be terminated should funding substantially reduce or cease. The affected employee may be considered as a candidate for other vacant positions within the Court for which they are qualified.

NOTES:
11/2/2016 Title Created
08/14/2017 Updated for content and format 09/21/2021 Updated for content
09/17/2024 Updated for content (essential functions) 02/06/2025 Updated for content
05/01/2025 Title updated to Forensic Family Clinician I and updated for content
01/13/2026 Updated for Content