Job Specification
FAMILY COUNSELOR
ALL JURISDICTIONS
DEFINITION:
Under direction, assists individuals and families in solving problems
that affect the unity and welfare of the family, such as cases of
matrimonial controversies, unemployment, household management,
truancy, discipline of children, and care of family members; does
related work as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only.
A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this
job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring
bilingual skills.
07374 - Bilingual in Spanish and English
SPECIAL SKILL
Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or
communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform
the duties of this position.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Assists couples in resolving their marital and domestic difficulties and,
where couples are separated, attempts to affect a reconciliation through
consultation and advice.
Where reconciliation is not possible, assists couples in reaching
agreement on terms of support, visitation rights, and care of
children.
Interviews couples, either separately or together, in an attempt
to arrive at the cause of the marital or domestic difficulties.
Through the use of counseling techniques, attempts to assist
couples in diagnosing their marital or domestic problems and in
arriving at a satisfactory solution.
Where warranted, refers individuals or couples to other agencies
and psychiatric diagnostic centers for further consultation.
Through relationships and responsibilities, analyzes relationships
among members of the family, and the role of each member in relation
to the others, so as to devise a consultation framework to meet the
psychological needs of the individuals involved, in such matters as
timing of interviews, duration of contact for each client, and planning
of joint interviews.
Confers with family physician and other members of client's family
in analyzing their respective roles in relation to the family problem.
Interviews various members of family on domestic controversies and
carefully notes their reaction and responses to suggestions made.
Prepares suitable reports containing an evaluation of the case,
background information on clients involved, attitudes and behavior of
individuals concerned, along with recommendations involving care of
children, terms of support, visitation rights, and psychiatric
examination.
Keeps in close contact with other agencies and individuals dealing
with juveniles and family problems and diagnostic evaluations.
Consults with Probation Officers regarding family difficulties in
cases being supervised by the Probation Department.
Contacts school authorities and/or special services programs in
working out a possible alternate for educational availability to
juveniles with particular problems.
Maintains contact with police departments to ascertain which
referral would be appropriate for crisis counseling.
Establishes and maintains satisfactory working relationships with
community organizations through discussions, conferences, meetings,
and lectures.
Acquaints parties concerned with the terms of support agreement or
court order.
Ascertains history of family members involved in matrimonial or other
domestic difficulties, including background, education, recreation,
religious training, and other pertinent factors affecting the welfare
of such members, and evaluates the information received.
Organizes assigned work and develops effective work methods.
Establishes and maintains records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual recording and computerized information systems used by
the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Possession of a Master's degree in Psychology or Sociology or
Counseling or Social Work or Social Welfare or Marriage and
Family Therapy.
EXPERIENCE:
Two (2) years of experience in counseling individuals and
families in matters concerning family unity and relationships and
aiding them in achieving and maintaining normal social adjustment
and development.
LICENSE
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the laws, procedures, and dynamics relating to
family counseling work.
Knowledge of modern social case work and crisis counseling
techniques.
Knowledge of court procedures in dealing with juveniles and
domestic relations problems.
Knowledge of the causes and effects and existing factors to
social maladjustments and emotional disturbances in families
and individuals.
Knowledge of the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and
informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and
recommendations.
Ability to analyze and interpret the laws, rules, regulations,
standards, and procedures relating to family counseling work
and to apply them to specific cases.
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret extensive data
relating to family counseling work.
Ability to work harmoniously with associates and that part of
the public concerned with family counseling work.
Ability to apply modern social case work techniques.
Ability to apply theories to the practical problems of study,
recreation, and spiritual welfare for clients as judged from their
previous education and employment.
Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports
containing finding, conclusions, and recommendations and to
keep needed records and files.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as
they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable
accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the
accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer
undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which
are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 01803 | | L | C | | N/A | 27 | | - | | 07374 | Bilingual In Spanish And English | L | C | | N/A | 27 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
1/2/2010 |
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