Under direction, performs management and supervisory work in planning, directing and overseeing the daily operations of the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office; participates in the most complex conservatorship, guardianship and substitute payee cases by performing highly skilled investigative and case management work; may act for the Public Guardian/Conservator on matters pertaining to the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office; and does related or other duties as assigned in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a single position class in the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office, a major department within the Mental Health Services division of Health Care Services. The incumbent reports directly to the Public Guardian/Conservator and functions as the second-in-command in the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office. The incumbent supervises staff in the performance of various duties related to conservatorship, guardianship and substitute payee administration in accordance with established laws, regulations, policies and procedures. The incumbent has broad responsibility for managing the daily operations of the office and may participate in casework activities, particularly those cases that are especially complex or difficult. The incumbent also has specific responsibility for ensuring that the checks and balances system pertaining to the operations of the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office is effectively maintained throughout Mental Health Services.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Plans, organizes, prioritizes and directs the work of department staff; selects, trains, assigns, directs, and evaluates subordinate personnel; analyzes staffing and work flow and adjusts procedures as needed to maximize resource utilization; may act for the Public Guardian/Conservator on matters pertaining to the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office; may have signature authority on various documents such as deeds, contracts, and court documents.
Supervises and participates in the operations of the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office, including investigating the financial, social, and medical background of persons referred for guardianship or conservatorship; determining appropriateness of guardianship or conservatorship under applicable laws; preparing reports, and the provision of testimony and recommendations to the court regarding guardianship or conservatorship referrals; developing financial plans for daily and monthly maintenance needs of conservatees; authorizing payment of bills, arranging for housing, medical care, nursing care, food and other basic needs; conferring and coordinating with health care, social service, and legal agencies and representatives regarding care of clients.
Supervises and participates in the operations related to the locating, securing and inventorying all real and personal property maintaining accurate records on all assets and liabilities of each conservatee; development of financial resources for payment of care and/or incidental needs of conservatees including: making arrangements for purchase or disposal of personal and real property; applying for SSI, Social Security, Medicare, or other benefits; locating and applying for private or government pensions, etc.
Supervises and participates in the operations related to the monitoring of the physical, emotional and fiscal well being of conservatees and 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.
Supervises and participates in the operations related to the management of the real and personal property of conservatees; ensures adequate insurance coverage for real and personal property; arranges for the storage of personal property; negotiates the sale of personal property; arranges for professional financial management of large estates; obtains court authorization to liquidate holdings such as stocks, bonds and other instruments as needed to provide for the care of conservatees.
Ensures that the policies and procedures related to the system of internal checks and balances are fully implemented; monitors staff for compliance with the checks and balances system; provides quality assurance through random reviews.
Participates in the planning, development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures; helps develop automated and other systems to promote efficiency of effort and accuracy of information; develops short and long range goals and objectives as assigned; interprets policies, regulations and laws for subordinate staff; assures compliance with same; participates in the preparing and monitoring the departmental budget.
Prepares case documentation, correspondence and reports; prepares legal documents, forms and related paperwork as necessary; maintains case logs and activity updates; oversees the safekeeping of case records and files.
Schedules and leads staff meetings; may participate in conferences; seminars or special training programs; completes special projects as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER PATTERN I
Experience: One year as a Supervising Deputy Public Guardian in San Joaquin County service.
OR PATTERN II
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in the social or behavioral sciences or closely related field.
Experience: Four years of paid experience performing social casework, probate, criminal or civil investigations or experience managing personal finances for clients, including two years as a conservator for multiple clients.
AND FOR BOTH PATTERNS
Certification: Effective July 1, 2008 must be certified through 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
Principles and practices of supervision and training; the California State Mental Health Act (Bronzon-McCorquodale Act); applicable provision of the Probate Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code; pertinent laws, regulations and ordinances governing conservatorship and sub payees; general financial management and record keeping principles; basic psychological and physiological disorders; common medical and social problems associated with handicapped or incompetent persons; basic principles of social casework; medical and social service programs; court procedures relative to conservatorship, guardianship and substitute payee functions; principles, practices, and methods of estate administration and management, including legal requirements.
ABILITY
Understand, interpret and apply complex laws and regulations;, including the Probate Code, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, and the Welfare and Institutions Code; establish and maintain accurate financial and casework records; analyze and evaluate legal and medical information; draw logical conclusions and make appropriate decisions; work closely with gravely disabled and disoriented people; accept and use consultative supervision related to client care; elicit medical, personal, and financial information from psychiatric patients, their families and friends; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Must be able to pass a State Of California background check.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Regular operation of keyboards, sitting, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing stairs and driving may be required; Lifting-Frequent lifting of 5 lbs. or less; occasional lifting of 5-30 lbs.; Vision-Frequent use of good overall corrected vision; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity-Frequent writing and repetitive motion; occasional holding, reaching and grasping; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person; Emotional/Psychological-Frequent public contact, decision making, concentration, and exposure to grief/death; may require occasional overtime, weekend or evening work; Special Conditions-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.
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