Supervising Deputy Public Guardian/Public Administrator

What Will You Do: Under direction of the Social Services Director, organizes and supervises staff and the daily operations of the Public Guardian / Public Administrator program.  Provides complex and sensitive management of legal conservatorship and estate administration cases mandated by the court for county residents; directs and approves the review of intricate financial and legal documents. This position requires extensive knowledge of conservatorship and estate administration services as specified by the Probate Code and Welfare and Institutions Code. Performs related administrative and professional work as required.

The Perfect Match: Will tactfully and effectively communicate with persons exhibiting symptoms of mental disorder, senility, and/or incompetence. Is reliable, provides courteous, respectful, and professional customer service; React calmly and professionally in emergency, emotional, and/or stressful situations; Make sound, educated and ethical decisions; Maintain complex financial records; Analyze problems, identify solutions, recommend and implement methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues; Maintain significant flexibility in daily operations and decision making; Handle sensitive and confidential documents; Assemble and analyze information and prepare written reports and records in a clear, concise manner; Work independently and as a team member; React calmly and professionally in emergency, emotional and/or stressful situations.

As a Supervising Deputy Public Guardian/Public Administrator, You Will Have the Opportunity to:

• Supervise and direct the daily activities of the Deputy Conservator/Public Guardian/Public Administrators, Rep Payee Program and office staff.

• Plan, prioritize and assign cases, tasks and projects; counsel, train and coach staff on professional responsibilities and technical skills; identify training needs and coordinate training for staff.

• Meet regularly with staff to solicit input and offer guidance; analyze and evaluate issues and proposals, develop recommendations, and direct the implementation of solutions.

• Review and approve documents, case files and billing records.

• Analyze trends, and evaluate program requirements and resource utilization.

• Coordinate program planning and evaluation.

• Facilitate and guide development of conservatee competency assessments and treatment plans; assess case management work quality and conformance to standards.

• Appear in the Superior Court in matters pertaining to the legal requirements of conservatorship and estate management.

• Investigate, review and analyze individual cases and court documents to determine the need for a conservator, and appropriateness of cases for estate administration.

• Work with Coroner on indigent burial investigations.

• Supervise the marshalling of assets, determination and definition of debts, and development of estate management plans.

• Supervise the pursuit of financial benefits to which conservatees may be entitled; provides advocacy for conservatees with Social Security and other State and Federal Agencies; represent the conservatee and estate’s interests in dealing with the IRS, banks and other financial institutions.

• Direct the arrangements for physical care and custody of conservatees incapable of providing for their own needs.

• Support and enhance the conservatees’ emotional stability; explain complex legal policies, probate processes, conservatorship, financial arrangements, and responsibilities to conservatees and their families; explain plan of care to conservatees, families and significant others.

• Provide consultation and training to other organizations in the community on conservatorship; meet with the public to communicate the functions of the Public Guardian, Public Administrator and Rep Payee programs. 

Controversial Issues: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and partially in the field and may be exposed to substandard living areas including animal waste, vermin, illness/disease, strong odors, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical, and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances, dust, scents and fumes. Employees will need to interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12th) grade  
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree in social services, mental health, legal, or other related fields, a Bachelor’s degree is desired; and three (3) years of increasingly responsible social work duties in a public or private social work or Public Guardian or Public Administrator agency.   Two years of related work experience may be substituted for each one year of required education.
• Certification by the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, and Public Conservators or the ability to obtain the certification within four (4) years of employment
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

License & Special Requirements:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California Class C Driver License and a satisfactory driving record is required.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Must pass a security clearance investigation and fingerprinting for purposes of search of local, state and national fingerprint files 

The department is currently recruiting for one (1) vacancy.

In addition, Tehama County is establishing an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for a Supervising Deputy Public Guardian/Public Administrator, as well as subsequent vacancies, which occur during the life of the eligibility list.