Deputy Public Guardian I (#RS2031)
$27.69-$33.66 Hourly / $4,799.72-$5,834.09 Monthly / $57,596.64-$70,009.08 Yearly

Under general supervision, investigates referrals for guardianship and conservatorship; arranges for the administration of personal assets; monitors physical, emotional and financial well being of conserved person; arranges for administration of personal assets and property; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the first working level in the Deputy Public Guardian series. An employee of this class generally possesses basic case management or investigative skills and learns to apply those skills to the Public Guardian Conservator function. Incumbents perform intake and case management activities of the Public Guardian/Conservator Office, including investigation of referrals and initial placement and administration of assets. Incumbents develop recommendations for establishing conservatorship and provide initial case management. As incumbents gain experience, they may monitor cases to verify contract case managers are ensuring the physical, emotional and financial well being of clients. This class is distinguished from Deputy Public Guardian II in that incumbents of the latter class may handle a more complex caseload, serve as technical resource for less experienced staff and perform more complex duties with a higher degree of independence and judgment.

• Investigates the financial, social, and medical background of persons referred for guardianship or conservatorship; determines whether guardianship or conservatorship is appropriate under the applicable laws; prepares reports, testifies and makes recommendations to the court regarding guardianship or conservatorship of referrals.
• Locates, secures and inventories all real and personal property so accurate records on all assets and liabilities of each conservatee can be maintained; develops initial financial plan for daily and monthly maintenance needs of conservatee; notifies creditors and debtors of status of client; authorizes payment of bills.
• Develops financial resources for payment of care and/or incidental needs of conservatees including: making arrangements for purchase of disposal of personal and real property; applying for social security, Medicare, or other benefits; locating and applying for private or government pensions, etc.
• Arranges for housing, medical care, nursing care, food and other basic needs; confers and coordinates with health care, social service, and legal agencies and representatives regarding care of clients; may provide transportation of conservatee to court or from one facility to another, as necessary.
• Provides supervision of conservatee until case is transferred to case management; provides ongoing legal supervision of conservatee for medical orders or other matters that arise;
• Monitors the physical, emotional, and fiscal well being of conservatees; monitors the adequacy and appropriateness of case management activities; reviews financial accountings, individual records and transactions, and other records to ensure appropriate expenditure of conservatee funds for the benefit of the conservatee; visits conservatee by phone and in person to ascertain the appropriateness and adequacy of housing, meals, health care, and related matters.
• Prepares and maintains case records and files; prepares correspondence and reports using computers.

Experience: One year of paid experience performing social casework, probate, criminal or civil investigations or experience managing personal finances for clients.

Certification: Effective July 1, 2008, must obtain certification issued by the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators within four (4) years of appointment under the standards and certification requirements set forth by the PAPGPC and maintain certification while employed in the Public Guardian/Conservator Office.

License:  Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Special Requirement:  Must be able to pass a State of California background check.

General obligations of Guardian/Conservator; basic investigative procedures; interviewing techniques; general financial management and record keeping principles; basic psychological and physiological disorders; common medical and social problems associated with handicapped or incompetent persons; general report writing procedures.

Read, understand, and interpret job related material, including the Probate Code, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, and the Welfare and Institutions Code; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, the general public, and representatives of other agencies; analyze and evaluate medical, legal, and financial information; maintain records and reports.

Mobility-Regular operation of a data entry device, repetitive motion, sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Dexterity-Sufficient to operate a key board; handle individual papers; write and take notes; Lifting/Pushing/Pulling-Frequently lifting of 5 pounds or less; occasional lifting of 5 to 30 pounds; Visual Requirements-Ability to read files and documents and use computer screens; constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological-Frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; Special Requirements-Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental- may involve working in unpleasant physical environments.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.