Child Access Assessor, Mental Health Professional (Grant/ FT/ Benefits/At Will)

Employees in this class may perform any or all of the below-listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Conducting psychosocial family assessments which identify the child(ren)’s needs and each parent’s strengths and limitations in meeting those needs as directed by an Order of referral from the Court. In conducting Child Access Assessments, the Mental Health Assessor provides:

• Multiple interviews with the family members.
• Information from relevant collateral contacts (including child(ren)’s school, daycare, DSS, etc.)
• Written report filed with the Court
• Recommendations to the Court
• Referrals for community services if appropriate
• A Parenting Plan document for review by counsel if parties exercise their option to use the information generated by the assessment to settle their dispute

Must have one of the following licenses:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-C)
• Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW)
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
• Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The role of the Mental Health professional when conducting a Child Access Assessment is to provide the Court with a psychosocial assessment of the family which identifies children's needs and parenting strengths and weaknesses. The Child Access Assessment model as practiced in Harford County is a 4-interview session model.

The Assessor is expected to systemically conceptualize family dynamics; co-parenting; identify children’s developmental needs (intellectually, psychologically, socially, and physically); assess parenting strengths and liabilities, including need to proceed to rule out underlying psychopathology that may compromise parenting. However, when conducting Child Access Assessments, the Assessor is not required to provide a formal DSM-5-TR diagnosis. Additionally, in the role of conducting a Child Access Assessment, the Assessor does not provide treatment services.

The Mental Health professional conducting a Child Access Assessment is expected to actively intervene and apply clinical skills, psycho-educational skills, conflict resolution skills, and referral skills in the following circumstances:

• In crisis situations (involving domestic violence, delusional thinking, abandonment)
• In managing heightened emotional states (including anger, rage, depression, and anxiety)
• Overseeing complex family systems (including stepfamilies and extended families)
• In coordinating complex multidisciplinary case management services

Other Qualifications:

Employee must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.

Additional Information:

The employee in this position is considered a Grant Employee, Full-time, At-Will

This position is 100 percent in-person and will require employee to be in office. After the first full year of successful employment, limited remote work may be an option.

Pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-105 (c) Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, this position serves at the pleasure of the Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court.

The Maryland Judiciary and the Circuit Court for Harford County are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, familiar status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal Law. Applicants who need an ADA accommodation for an interview may request such assistance in advance of an interview.