Senior Deputy Public Guardian​/Emergency Appointments Homelessness

Overview

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

EXAM NUMBER: b1497C-EA

FILING

START DATE:

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

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; arranges for and authorizes physical, mental health, and substance use treatments, including the 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.
• Conducts investigations to determine whether a Lanterman-Petris Short (LPS) or Murphy conservatorship is appropriate for justice-involved individuals in forensic cases, including those found incompetent to stand trial.
• Makes regular visits to clients to assess the quality of care, identify special needs, and provide or coordinate personal services (e.g., obtaining clothing and other essential items).
• Establishes and monitors budgets and authorizes expenditures to meet conservatee needs in accordance with Probate Code, fiduciary responsibilities, and applicable policies.
• Locates, safeguards, inventories, and arranges for appraisals of assets; prepares court documents to notify the court that assets have been marshaled and protected.
• Identifies financial resources to meet the conservatee's needs and secures and maintains benefits and income sources.
• Negotiates debt collection, secures property, procures health insurance coverage, and authorizes expenditures and payment of liabilities in favor of conservatees.
• Notifies family members or concerned parties of conservatee deaths and makes funeral arrangements respecting cultural and faith-based requirements and available resources.
• Prepares and negotiates pre-need funeral and burial arrangements when no prior instructions exist, ensuring alignment with cultural and faith-based practices.
• Prepares and assists County Counsel in petitions for conservatorship; prepares annual court reports and responds to court-ordered inquiries; testifies in court as needed.
• Ensures timely entry of documentation related to 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, linking conservators to services and assisting private conservators with navigation of court systems.
• Travels out of county in a personal vehicle to conduct periodic visits and annual reviews.

• OPTION I:
  Two years as a Deputy Public Guardian in the County of Los Angeles, or
• OPTION II
  : A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social sciences, behavioral sciences, business administration, or accounting, or a closely-related field, AND three years of experience administering conservatorships, guardian ships or trusts in a public agency. A Master's Degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

You MUST meet the above requirements at the time of filing in order to be appointed to fill vacancies related to this recruitment.

• Certification from the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators. Members must be in good standing.
• Ability to use a personal vehicle to travel within and outside the county for periodic visits and investigations.

License: A valid California Class C Driver License.

Physical Class: Physical Class II – Light. Administrative and clerical positions with light physical effort; may include occasional light lifting up to 10 pounds and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

* Deputy Public Guardian is defined as under general supervision, administers conservatorships, guardian ships and trusts that are referred to and fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Public Guardian.

Documentation and…