Public Guardian/Public Administrator Support Specialist (0.70%) Part-Time

What Will You Do? : Provides money management and education, advocacy and referral, and case management services for adults with mental health services who are receiving federal or state benefits; to apply complex federal, state, and local policies to achieve Representative Payee Program objectives; provides a variety of specialized legal, secretarial and clerical support on behalf of the Public Guardian/Public Administrator’s Office. 

The Perfect Match : Will be able to establish rapport with mentally or emotionally disturbed clients and establish rapport with older population in need of services. Is reliable, provides courteous, respectful, and professional customer service; Will have the ability to comprehend complex manuals and handbooks and follow the orderly directions they provide; Make sound, educated and ethical decisions; Perform responsible legal secretarial and office administrative work requiring the use of tact and discretion; Organize own work, set priorities, meet critical time deadlines, and follow-up on assignment with minimal direction; 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 Public Guardian/Public Administrator Support Specialist You Will Have the Opportunity to: 

• Provide money management, advocacy and referral, education, and case management primarily for adults with mental health issues who are receiving federal or state benefits.

• Explain agency services, prepare budgets with clients, payment delivery and explain client rights and responsibilities.

• Maintain financial records and budgets for representative payee clients by issuing checks; maintaining checkbook records; making bank deposits; paying rent, food, utility, medical and other bills; ensure clients have funds for individual needs.

• Establish working relationships with client creditors and state or federal agencies; consult with them on services provided to clients; negotiate with creditors on debt issues; and inform clients about programs such as food stamps and low income housing.

• Maintain contact with families and individuals as often as necessary to assist in the implementation of service plans.

• Act as advocate for families and individuals receiving mental health services.

• Perform a wide variety of general clerical duties to support departmental operations; including composing letters and other correspondence, filing, preparing records and monthly reports, scheduling appointments, and maintaining calendars; gather, assemble, update, and distribute a variety of department specific data as requested.

• Assists with transport of clients as needed.

Controversial Issues: As a Public Guardian/ Public Administrator Support Specialist, you may encounter customers who are emotionally charged; customers that have substance dependence, mental health, trauma or domestic violence history. You may be assisting customers whose values may conflict with your own values. A Public Guardian/ Public Administrator Support Specialist must be able to accept customers' differences and interact with them in a non-judgmental manner.

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade.
• Two (2) years of college with coursework in human services, psychology, accounting, business, or related field is preferred.
• Two (2) years of professional experience providing direct service to clients in human services, education, counseling, health, or other relevant service is preferred. Experience working in a Public Guardian/Public Administrator Office is highly desired. 
• 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.

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

In addition, Tehama County is establishing an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for a Public Guardian/Public Administrator Support Specialist (.70% FTE), as well as subsequent vacancies, which occur during the life of the eligibility list.