PUBLIC GUARDIAN CLERK (#BP1 )

$28.83-$36.45 hourly / $4,997.00-$6,318.00 monthly / $59,966.40-$75,816.00 yearly

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of clerical and clerical accounting duties in processing conservatorship and guardianship cases in the Public Guardian's Office; and does related work as required.

Incumbents prepare and type legal documents, forms, reports and annual accountings required by the courts on cases administered by the Public Guardian, and relieves the Public Guardian of a variety of administrative and clerical details involved in the operation of the office. Conducts inquiries to locate assets and deal with problems concerning clients. Incumbents function with considerable independence and must use discretion and judgment in assembling data for reports and handling problem situations.

Applies for all benefits to which the client is entitled, such as insurance, social security, veteran's benefits, and retirement. Notifies appropriate agencies of changes in client's living situation or financial status that may affect benefits. Prepares and types a wide variety of forms required in dealing with various agencies, securing missing or incomplete information by telephone and correspondence. Prepares annual accountings of financial resources and assets of clients administered by the Public Guardian. Prepares claims for fees due the Public Guardian. Prepares other legal documents as required in the processing of conservatorship and guardianship cases. Orders documents from the County Clerk's Office. Screens incoming correspondence and independently prepares replies on some matters for signature of supervisor. Maintains case files on all cases accepted for conservatorship or guardianship. Maintains control records and keeps track of court dates and annual reevaluations. Sends renewal declarations for conservatorship to physicians. Arranges transportation for clients for court appearances, medical evaluations, and transfer to State hospital and other facilities. Answers questions from the general public on referring cases to the Public Guardian. Gives out information on cases to authorized personnel, and independently deals with a variety of problems concerning clients in the absence of superiors within established guidelines. Conducts inquiries to locate assets and financial resources of clients as required on an as needed basis. May assist Estates Management Officer in inventorying personal property of clients. May provide vacation or other temporary relief for other classes as required.

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of: 

• Office procedures and practices, including preparation of correspondence and reports, and filing systems.

Working knowledge of: 

• Vocabulary, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Some knowledge of: 

• Accounting clerical methods, forms and techniques. 
• Legal forms, documents and terminology.

Ability to:

• Gather information on financial resources, real property and potential benefits related to a proposed conservatorship.
• Read, understand and apply laws, rules and regulations related to public guardianship.
• Perform varied and difficult clerical work involving independent judgment and requiring accuracy and speed.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work independently in the absence of specific instructions.
• Perform accurate mathematical computations.
• Compose correspondence independently.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others.
• Learn word processing.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain such training and experience would be:

Two years of experience that demonstrates application or possession of the required knowledge and abilities listed above. Formal secretarial or general office clerical training may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on an hour-for-hour basis.

Bargaining Unit: 41
EEOC Job Category: 06
Occupational Grouping: 10
Worker's Comp Code: 0053
Analyst: CE
Revised Date(s): 1/82