Senior Deputy Public Guardian (#DG6 )

$50.45-$63.79 hourly / $8,744.50-$11,056.72 monthly / $104,936.00-$132,683.20 yearly

• Plans, organizes, directs, supervises, and reviews the work of the Public Guardian’s office;
• Develops administrative policies and procedures and directs their implementation;
• Sets and evaluates procedures and standards for investigation and administration of referrals, including determination of client estates, compliance with legal requirements, settlement of estate property issues, provision of personal care and treatment of conservatees, safeguarding of personal and real property, and management of complex monetary transactions and investments;
• Assigns functions to staff members and maintains contact with staff of other agencies to monitor workflow and ensure efficient service delivery;
• Directs liaison with other County departments providing support services, such as Auditor-Controller, County Counsel, Public Defender, District Attorney, Health Services Agency including County Mental Health Services, and others;
• Directs liaison with courts, attorneys, and other public and private agencies to ensure proper administration and management of conservatee estates and treatment plans;
• Directs professional and clerical staff in preparing required reports, legal documents, and maintaining detailed case records;
• Interviews and hires new employees and prepares written evaluations for Public Guardian personnel in accordance with County personnel policies;
• Analyzes current year budget expenditures and revenues and assists with preparation of the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year;
• Analyzes fiscal market trends and makes investment decisions concerning the management of client assets to achieve optimal returns;
• Testifies in court regarding investigation or administration of conservatorships;
• Signs checks, receipts, and other legal documents as required;
• Prepares comprehensive reports and records, including job design and staffing estimates;
• Assists with investigation and administration of complex and intricate cases;
• Assists in training agency personnel related to Public Guardian activities and services;
• May perform field work as needed.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Welfare and Institutions Code, Probate Code, and other pertinent laws and regulations related to the Public Guardian function.
• Community health, welfare and legal support systems, and other governmental resources available to Public Guardian clients.
• Principles, practices, and methods used in the administration of personal and real property as part of a conservatee's estate.
• Communication techniques required for the location, identification, and transmittal of information pertaining to conservatees and payees, for interviewing, advising, and instructing subordinates, and communicating with courts, attorneys, physicians, and other agencies and individuals.

Working knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration and including the training, direction, evaluation, and supervision of professional and clerical staff.
• Accounting and fiscal procedures and record keeping practices necessary for the administration of the Public Guardian fiscal function.
• Social and psychological problems affecting the acutely or chronically mentally ill or physically disabled person.
• Case treatment plans and the linking and monitoring of services for the acutely or chronically mentally disabled or physically disabled client.
• Investment trends and available methods of investment, pertaining to the management of client assets in a prudent and responsible manner.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and supervise the work of public guardian staff.
• Identify needs, goals, and develop and design program objectives, procedures, and evaluation techniques.
• Analyze administrative and management problems, reach practical and logical conclusions, and implement needed changes on a timely basis.
• Interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, and procedures.
• Define problem areas.
• Validate conclusions, define and select alternatives.
• Project and analyze consequences of decisions and recommendations.
• Plan, and initiate actions and implement decisions and recommendations.
• Develop, prepare, and analyze Public Guardian budget expenditures and revenue.
• Communicate effectively and tactfully with persons under emotional stress, persons suffering from acute or chronic mental disorder, and persons afflicted with physical disabilities.
• Interpret, analyze, and implement fiscal management policies and decisions concerning the prudent and responsible investment of client assets.
• Perform physical activities such as lifting clients' belongings weighing up to 60 pounds and walking up steep hills.
• Work flexible hours and respond to afterhours emergencies.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business or public administration, social work, or related field AND Three years conservator guardianship investigation experience

OR

Four years of line or staff management experience which includes at least two years of experience with conservator guardianship investigation experience.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

License Requirement: Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver License.
Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.
Special Working Conditions: In the field, possible exposure to: dust, molds, poison oak, and insect bites; unpleasant odors such as from animal feces, urine soaked beds, and unwashed clients; infections from needles and syringes used by drug abusers.
Other Special Requirements: Ability to be bonded may be required; must be available to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays. May be assigned to carry a pager and respond to crisis situations.

EST: 5/84 REV: 1/22 Analyst: NP