Deputy Public Guardian

County of Riverside•Riverside, CA

About The Position

The County of Riverside’s Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health Department is hiring Deputy Public Guardians to fill multiple current and upcoming vacancies in Riverside County. This is the journey-level classification in the Deputy Public Guardian series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager-level position. The role manages conservatorship and guardianship cases involving personal care and estate administration. Deputy Public Guardians safeguard conservatees’ personal welfare and assets, coordinate medical and social services, and ensure compliance with court orders. Core work includes investigating and administering estates of disabled or legally incompetent individuals and providing conservatorship services under the Probate Code and Welfare and Institutions Code. The position requires driving and traveling throughout Riverside County. County vehicles may be available but are not guaranteed; employees may need to use a personal vehicle for field travel, with mileage reimbursement available for County business. Extensive case management experience is preferred.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree emphasizing behavioral science, public or business administration, finance, accounting, social services, human services, or a related field. Case management experience in health, human services, or a related field may substitute for the education at one year of full-time experience per 30 semester or 45 quarter units.
Register for membership in the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators (CA PAPGPC).
Maintain a valid California Driver’s License throughout employment.
Obtain and maintain valid certification as a Public Guardian through CAPAPGPC within four years of hire, as required by California Probate Code Section 2923.
Comply with CA PAPGPC continuing education requirements.
Knowledge of laws, regulations, and procedures governing conservatorships, guardianships, and estate administration; estate and financial management; financial and estate investigation; real property management; banking, investments, and financial procedures; investigative methods; case management and care planning; community medical, psychiatric, and social-service resources; and relevant court procedures.
Ability to manage conservatees’ personal and financial affairs with sound judgment and ethical conduct; interpret and apply laws, regulations, and court orders, including Social Security and Medicare regulations; conduct investigations and prepare accurate reports, petitions, and financial accountings; testify effectively; communicate clearly and build effective working relationships; and work effectively with elderly, disabled, disoriented, or otherwise vulnerable individuals.

Nice To Haves

Extensive case management experience.

Responsibilities

Investigate referred individuals’ financial, medical, psychiatric, social, living, and support circumstances to determine conservatorship eligibility, including interviewing families, service providers, and other interested parties.
Investigate conservatees’ estates to discover and protect assets; locate, marshal, inventory, safeguard, and preliminarily appraise property, and secure cash or valuables.
Apply for, secure, and manage benefits such as insurance, financial assistance, Social Security, Medi-Cal, pensions, annuities, and veterans’ benefits.
Prepare or review investigation reports; communicate with relatives, attorneys, title companies, banks, and other entities regarding asset ownership; and review wills, trusts, and other estate-planning documents.
Arrange the management, rental, or sale of real and personal property to satisfy valid claims or fund conservatees’ care and treatment.
Authorize and process valid estate claims and arrange payment of mortgages, insurance premiums, taxes, and other obligations; oversee a business when it is in the conservatee’s interest.
Coordinate legal, medical, psychiatric, and social services, and arrange physical care and shelter with service agencies.
Assess conservatees and develop, implement, and monitor case and care plans to support appropriate care, treatment, and placement in the least restrictive environment.
Consent to placement in acute medical facilities, long-term nursing care, or residential care facilities as appropriate.
Arrange funeral services and distribution of assets under testate or intestate succession laws; oversee adoption or other disposition of conservatees’ pets when needed.
With court authorization, hire or dismiss agents such as attorneys, real estate brokers, accountants, or care providers, and arrange eviction or removal of tenants from estate property.
File court petitions and prepare detailed reports and accountings of financial transactions made on conservatees’ behalf.
Respond to court and governmental agency requests for clarification or explanation of case records and reports.
Represent the Public Guardian in court hearings and testify regarding recommendations, accountings, and case status.
Transport conservatees to court hearings, placements, or other appointments when no other transportation is available.
Make financial, medical, and placement decisions for conservatees when authorized by the courts.
Provide the public with general information about conservatorship.
Maintain accurate case files, financial records, reports, case notes, and legal documentation in accordance with legal and professional standards.