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Deputy Public Guardian I

Recruitment #1019-RS2031-01

Introduction

This examination is being given to fill one vacancy in the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office of Behavioral Health Services and to establish an eligible list which may be used to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

Department: Behavioral Health Services - Public Guardian/Conservator
Work Location: 1212 N California St, Stockton, CA 9520
Department website: https://www.sjgov.org/department/hcs/pg-c/

About the Department

The Public Guardian/Conservator's Office is responsible for the care, supervision and financial management of those residents of San Joaquin County who are severely disabled and unable to manage their own affairs and make appropriate decisions for themselves. These individuals have either a mental illness or are cognitively impaired. For a variety of reasons, family members are unable to assist them. The Public Guardian/Conservator conducts the official County investigation into Conservatorship matters and acts as the legally appointed Guardian or Conservator for persons who meet the legal criteria.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge and experience working closely with the mentally ill population and/or cognitively disabled elders, and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, welcomes challenges, and is empathetic and compassionate about helping the disabled. Additionally, the candidate should have case management knowledge and experience in the following areas:

  • Psychiatric diagnosis and mental health treatment modalities
  • Investigative skills, specifically in determining an individual's ability to provide for their own food, clothing, and shelter
  • Managing and making daily financial decisions for disabled clients
  • Estate management (including knowledge of stocks, bonds, trusts, personal and real property)
  • Extensive knowledge of community resources an referrals

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

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

Pre-Employment Drug Screening: Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • 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.
  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university preferably with a degree in the social or behavioral sciences or closely related field.  

    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.

    KNOWLEDGE

    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.

    ABILITY

    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.

    PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

    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.

    BENEFITS

    Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021

    Health Insurance:  San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans:  a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan.  Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available. 

    Dental Insurance:  The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans:  Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan.  There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

    Vision Insurance:  The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP).  There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

    For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Employee Benefits. 

    Life Insurance:  The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows: 

     1 but less than 3 years of continuous service:                   $1,000
     3 but less than 5 years of continuous service:                   $3,000
     5 but less than 10 years of continuous service:                 $5,000
    10 years of continuous service or more:                           $10,000
     

    Employee may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.

    125 Flexible Benefits Plan:  This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit). 

    Retirement Plan:  Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937.  Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information.  NOTE:  If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.

    Deferred Compensation:  The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $18,000 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less.  Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $24,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

    Vacation:  Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

    Holidays Effective July 1, 2017, all civil service status employees earn 14 paid holidays each year.  Please see the appopriate MOU for details regarding holidays, accruals, use, and cashability of accrued time.

    Sick Leave:  12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation.  Sick leave incentive:  An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one- half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue.  The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

    Bereavement Leave3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

    Merit Salary Increase:  New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range.  After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

    Job Sharing:  Employees may agree to job-share a position, subject to approval by a Department Head and the Director of Human Resources.

    Educational Reimbursement Program:  Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year.  Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.

    Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton:  The County contributes up to $17 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

    School Activities:  Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.

    Selection Procedures

    Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

    • Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format.  If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
       
    • Oral Exam:   The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise.   The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview.   A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list.  Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews.  If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list. 
       
    • Written & Oral Exam:  If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
       
    • Rate-out:  A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process. 

     Note:  The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

    Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.   

    Veteran’s Points:  Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service.  Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration.  Note:  A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

    Acceptable wartime service dates:

    • September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946

    • June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

    • August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975

    • Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

    Eligible Lists:   Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.  Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.

    Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

    • Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews.  The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher.  When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
    • Rule of Five:  The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews.  This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

    Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

    Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

    Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

    • They are related to the Appointing Authority or

    • The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

    Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

    Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

     

    HOW TO APPLY

    Apply Online:       

    www.sjgov.org/department/hr

    By mail or in person:  

    San Joaquin County Human Resources

    44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

    Stockton, CA 95202                                  

     

    Office hours:               
    Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

    Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

     

    Job Line:

    For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

    When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

    San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

    Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to
    www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.




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    San Joaquin County
    Human Resources Division  Stockton, CA 95202
    E-mail | Phone: (209) 468-3370 | 8am - 5pm M-F | Powered by JobAps