Deputy Public Guardian

The County of Riverside - Riverside University Health System (RUHS) - Behavioral Health Department seeks Deputy Public Guardians to join our team. This job opening will serve to fill multiple current and upcoming Deputy Public Guardian Vacancies in Riverside.

The Deputy Public Guardian's primary responsibilities include investigating and administering the estates of disabled or legally incompetent individuals; and providing conservatorship services as specified in the Probate Code and the Welfare/Institutions Code.

The Ideal Candidates will posses:

• A passion for working with the older adult population and individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and/or cognitive impairments

• Team-oriented; goal oriented; detail-oriented; organized; able to multi-task; exceptional documentation skills.

• A good understanding of the roles and services provided by the Public Guardian's Office

• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary/multi-agency personnel, such as attorneys

• Experienced in handling property or financial assets; have familiarity with benefits establishment

• A working knowledge of electronic documentation systems, such as ELMR

Extensive case management experience is preferred

This position may require driving and traveling throughout Riverside County

• Investigates the financial resources, living situation, and support network of persons referred to the Public Guardian to determine eligibility for conservatorship as gravely disabled or legally incompetent.

• Conducts detailed investigations into estates of persons placed under conservatorship to discover and protect assets; locates, marshall, inventories, and take into custody personal property; make preliminary appraisal of assets; take into custody any cash, check or small valuable assets.

• Applies for benefits to which conservatees are entitled, such as insurance, financial assistance, social security, and veteran's benefits.

• Prepares and/or reviews investigation reports; contacts and corresponds with relatives, attorneys, title companies, banks, etc. to determine clear title on stocks, real property, and other assets; reviews estate planning documents such as interviews trust, and testamentary trust.

• Arranges for the rental or sale of real property and personal property to satisfy valid claims against the estate or to apply to the conservatees' care and treatment.

• Authorizes payment of claims against the estate arranges for payment of notes and mortgages, insurance premiums, and the operations of a business when in the interest of the conservatee; reviews the validity of claims against assets; ensure conservatees tax returns are prepared and filed.

• Coordinates supporting services for assigned caseload including legal, social, medical, and psychiatric services; arranges, in conjunction with social service agencies, for the physical care and shelter of conservatees.

• Conducts assessments and prepares care plans for any conservatee placed under his/her care; consents to the placement of conservatees which may include acute medical facilities, long term nursing care, and residential care facilities.

• Arrange for the burial of conservatees and the distribution of assets pursuant to testate or intestate succession; arranges for the adoption or disposal of pets.

• Upon court authorization, may hire or dismiss agents such as attorneys, real estate brokers, and accountants.

• May hire and dismiss care providers, or other domestic employees; arranges for the eviction or removal of tenants residing in estate property.

• Files petitions with the court for conservatees not capable to provide social services; prepares reports of detailed accounting of financial transactions taken on behalf of conservatees.

• Responds to requests from the court and other governmental agencies for clarification or explanation of case records and reports.

• Makes court appearances and may testify at hearings concerning conservatees.

• Provides for transportation of patients, as necessary prepares and presents a variety of reports as required.

• When given Court authorization, makes medical decisions on behalf of the conservatee.

• Provides the public with general information regarding conservatorship.Knowledge of: The Public Guardian/Conservator's functions and related laws, regulations and codes; Practices and methods used in financial and estate investigations to determine assets including real and personal property; Real property management; banking investments and other financial procedures.

Ability to: Manage and protect the assets of conservatees; Interpret and apply laws and regulations related to Public Guardian and Conservator's work, including Social Security, and Medicare regulations; Interview effectively and make oral presentations; Establish and maintain accurate financial and casework records; Work closely with disabled, disoriented and elder persons; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with governmental agencies providing supportive services to conservatees, and with others contacted in the course of the work.

Education:

EITHER I

Graduation from a recognized college with a Bachelor's degree, with an emphasis in behavioral science, public or business administration, finance, accounting, social services, human services or related field;

OR II

An AA degree from an accredited college and two years experience performing case management duties in a health or human services field;

OR III

Experience: Considerable experience performing case management and completion of an agency-approved case-management-training course.Questions:  For further information regarding this posting, contact the recruiter:

Edgar Manzo at: emcardenas@Rivco.org