Senior Deputy Public Guardian​/Emergency Appointments Homelessness

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

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The application filing period will begin on January 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (PT). This examination will remain open until the need of the service are met and is subject to close without prior notice

We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

The Department of Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Senior Deputy Public Guardian 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.

During 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 to Senior Deputy Public Guardian.

• Develops care plans for the most complex clients in collaboration with the treatment team, and ensures that plans are properly implemented and monitored.
• Determines and authorizes appropriate living arrangements; and arranges for and authorizes physical, mental health, and substance use treatments, including the specific authority to require involuntary placement and treatment.
• Investigates the social, medical, and financial background of individuals referred for conservatorship or guardianship, including interviewing prospective conservatees and wards, their relatives, neighbors, landlords, treatment providers, police, and others to assess service needs and determine eligibility for public conservatorship or guardianship.
• Conducts investigations to determine whether a Lanterman-Petris Short (LPS) or Murphy conservatorship is appropriate for justice‑involved individuals in forensic cases. This includes individuals found incompetent to stand trial.
• Makes regular visits to clients to assess the quality of care, identify special needs, and either provide or coordinate personal services, such as obtaining clothing and other essential items.
• Establishes and monitors budgets and authorizes the expenditures of funds to meet conservatees needs in accordance with Probate Code, fiduciary responsibilities, and applicable policies and procedures.
• Locates, safeguards, inventories, and arranges for appraisals of all known assets, and prepares court documents to notify the court that the assets have been properly marshaled and protected.
• Identifies all financial resources to meet conserved client’s needs and secures and maintains benefits and income sources to which the estate is entitled.
• Negotiates debt collection favorable to estate; secures property; procures health insurance coverage; and authorizes expenditures and payment of liabilities in favor of conserved clients.
• Notifies family members or concerned parties of conservatee deaths, and makes funeral arrangements according to burial instructions, cultural and faith‑based requirements, and available resources.
• Prepares and negotiates pre‑need funeral and burial arrangements when no prior instructions exist, while ensuring they align with cultural and faith‑based practices and available resources.
• Prepares and assists County Counsel in the preparation of petitions for conservatorship.
• Prepares annual court reports to support the continuation of conservatorships and responds promptly to court‑ordered inquiries.
• Testifies in court on issues related to the need for conservatorship, estate litigation, dependency cases, criminal matters, and civil court proceedings involving conserved clients or their dependent children.
• Ensures timely entry of documentation related to the investigation and administration of conservatorships, guardian ships and trusts.
• Serves as the Court Deputy in the Mental Health Court, representing the Public Guardian.
• Serves as the Private Conservator Liaison, providing information on conservatorships, linking conservators to…