Public Guardian - Temporary

State of Vermont•Saint Albans, VT

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Public Guardian seeks an independent, enthusiastic and organized person to protect and monitor the legal and human rights of individuals under court-ordered guardianship. It covers a caseload of individuals with developmental disabilities or age-related cognitive impairments in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties who require assistance and judgment for critical decision making in a number of life domains (such as medical, residential, legal, contractual decisions, and financial). At times, there is a high level of stress associated with this position. The successful applicant will have strong problem solving and emotional self-regulation skills, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a high tolerance for conflict. Applicants must have knowledge of the needs of individuals with disabilities, and services and opportunities for meeting those needs. Must be able to work well with diverse teams, learn a variety of computer applications, and be available for emergency response at night and on the weekends. Extensive travel is required. This is a temporary position, expected to run through March 31, 2027. Temporary employees do not receive benefits and cannot work more than 1520 hours per year. Temporary employees may very likely work 40 hours per week but could work less. The amount of hours worked will vary depending on current need.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work, gerontology/aging, disabilities, psychology, or closely related field AND one (1) year or more of experience at a professional level in social work or psychology with a focus on aging and/or disability services, a health care related field, or similar professional role that included case management responsibilities.
OR Bachelor's degree AND two (2) years or more of experience at a professional level in social work or psychology with a focus on aging and/or disability services, a health care related field, or similar professional role that included case management responsibilities.
OR Associate's degree AND four (4) years or more of experience at a professional level in social work or psychology with a focus on aging and/or disability services, a health care related field, or similar professional role that included case management responsibilities.
OR High School diploma or equivalent AND five (5) year or more of experience at a professional level in social work or psychology with a focus on aging and/or disability services, a health care related field, or similar professional role that included case management responsibilities.
Strong problem solving skills.
Emotional self-regulation skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
High tolerance for conflict.
Knowledge of the needs of individuals with disabilities, and services and opportunities for meeting those needs.
Ability to work well with diverse teams.
Ability to learn a variety of computer applications.
Must have private means of transportation available.
Must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position.
Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment RIF rights.

Nice To Haves

Enthusiasm
Organization

Responsibilities

Protect and monitor the legal and human rights of individuals under court-ordered guardianship.
Provide assistance and judgment for critical decision making in medical, residential, legal, contractual, and financial domains.
Be available for emergency response at night and on the weekends.
Conduct field work, including visits to client residences, service providers, educational facilities, and places of employment.
Handle difficult interactions and confrontations with judges, lawyers, health care providers, family members, neighborhood residents, employers, bank officials, law enforcement officers, investigators, and clients.