Family Mediator (Marriage and Family Counselor)

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$40.11 - $49.24 Hourly

Department:

Department of Community Justice (DCJ)

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

June 23, 2026

The Opportunity:

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 may 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 may 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, mediation, and coaching.

• 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 parents with complex communication dynamics.

• Mentoring and training domestic relations mediation 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.

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*:

Required Experience: Five (5) years of full-time equivalent, increasingly responsible professional experience providing social work, mental health, or conflict resolution services to families; AND

Required Education:  Must meet one of the following educational baselines: 

• (a) A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, psychiatry, psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health from an accredited college or university; OR

• (b) A law degree from an accredited law school with course work and/or Continuing Legal Education credits in family law; OR

• (c) A master’s or doctoral degree in a subject relating to children and family dynamics, education, communication, or conflict resolution from an accredited college or university, with coursework in human behavior, plus at least one (1) year full-time equivalent post-degree experience in providing social work, mental health, or conflict resolution services to families; OR

• (d) A bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science related to family relationships, child development, or conflict resolution, with coursework in a behavioral science, and at least seven (7) years full-time equivalent post-bachelor’s experience in providing social work, mental health, or conflict resolution services to families.

Other

• Must meet all other requirements for court-connected Domestic Relations Mediatorsoutlined in the Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR) within one year of hire. This includes all training and required supervision hours. 

• 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.

• Has already met the qualifications of the Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR) to be an approved Domestic Relations Custody and Parenting Time mediator

• 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

• International Coaching Federation trained coach

• Experience with individual or family therapy, case management or other direct client services to parents with complex behavioral challenges including substance use, mental health, legal, criminal, or other behavioral health concerns

• Fluent in a language/languages other than English

*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 to be considered for this role:

• 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 (required): Please explain why you are applying for this position and describe:

  • Why you are interested in the position

  • How you meet the qualifications and requirements 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

• 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

• Location: Multnomah County Courthouse @ 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204

• Telework: 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.

• 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

  • Friday: 8:00 or 8:30-5

  • During the initial year of employment, the in-office requirement is three days per week. Following this period, the schedule may be adjusted to a minimum of two days in the office.

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

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Family Mediator (Marriage and Family Counselor)