DEPUTY PUBLIC GUARDIAN TRAINEE / EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS HOMELESSNESS

Position/Program Information

The Department of Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Deputy Public Guardian Trainee vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Before the end of your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment.

Definition

Under close supervision, learns to perform and performs routine administration of conservatorships, guardianships and trusts that are referred to and fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Public Guardian.

Classification Standards

This is the entry-level/trainee in the Deputy Public Guardian Series. Positions allocable to this classification are allocated to the Department of Mental Health's Office of the Public Guardian and receive structured training and technical guidance in the performance of routine case administration of conservatorships, guardianships and trusts. Positions allocated to this class report to a Supervising Deputy Public Guardian and may also receive technical guidance and mentorship from a Senior Deputy Public Guardian or higher. Factors affecting allocation of positions in the Deputy Public Guardian Series include, but are not limited to, scope and complexity of assignments in the areas of investigations, training, case auditing, casework administration including management of estates, assets, trusts, associated fiduciary responsibilities, and decision-making authority.

Essential Job Functions

• Learns common mental health, physical health and substance use terminology, diagnoses, and medications including ability to read and understand electronic health records.
• Receives training on relevant legal codes, legal authority granted and legal requirements of conservatorships, guardianships and trusts including the appropriate use of surrogate decision making for conserved clients.
• Identifies, coordinates, and authorizes supportive services to meet the needs of conserved clients including housing, medical and mental health, substance use, education, and social and vocational needs.
• Prepares court reports for annual reevaluation of Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorships.
• Learns to manage and manages basic conservatorship cases such as Person Only or Person and Estate with public assistance as only source of income and stabilized placement such as skilled nursing facilities.
• Learns how to investigate the social, medical and financial background of persons referred for conservatorship or guardianship including interviewing prospective conservatees and wards, their relatives, neighbors, landlords, treatment providers, police, and others to determine and evaluate the need for services and determine whether eligible for public conservatorship or guardianship.
• Learns to investigate and manage trusts including the review of trust documentation to determine if appointment as trustee is appropriate and within the jurisdiction of the Public Guardian.
• Learns to and assists in establishing and monitoring of conservatees' and wards' budgets for care and treatment; pay bills, and other personal expenses.
• Learns to prepare or assists County Counsel or outside attorneys in the preparation of petitions for conservatorship and guardianship or petitions for probate and administration, and other court documents.
• Enters and retrieves information relating to the administration of conservatorships, guardianships, or trusts.

Requirements

• SELECTION REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelor's degree* from an accredited college or university with specialization in a discipline related to the core business function of the department: social sciences, behavioral sciences, or business administration.
• APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE ABOVE REQUIRMENT AT THE TIME OF FILING IN ORDER TO BE APPOINTED TO FILL ANY VACANCIES RELATED TO THIS RECRUITMENT.
• LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License**.
• SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS: Ability to travel out of county in personal vehicle to conduct periodic visits and annual reviews.