Deputy Public Guardian

Deputy Public Guardian I

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate’s qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will establish an Open eligible list and will be used to fill current and future Deputy Public Guardian I positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.

Applications received after this date will be processed in the next round.

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family, and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five service areas—Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, and Specialized Medical Services— is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

The Office of the Public Guardian (PG) is dedicated to the physical and financial safety of persons unable to do so on their own who are conserved when there are no viable alternatives to public conservatorship. The Superior Court determines whether a conservatorship should be established, involving a court process that includes petitioning the court and notifying the proposed conservatee and his or her family of the proceedings.

A conservatorship is only established as a last resort through a formal hearing. The Court can appoint the Public Guardian as a conservator of the person only, estate only, or both.

The Deputy Public Guardian I is a trainee-level position that will be trained to act as the deputized conservator for Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) and Probate conserved individuals and will report to the Supervising Deputy Public Guardian.

This position will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Provide court investigations and case management services for a mixed caseload of LPS and Probate conservatorship cases, including trusts and properties
• Offer ongoing case management for court-appointed conservatorships and trusts in Orange County
• Secure the real and personal property of individuals residing in Orange County, ensuring protection
• Execute ongoing estate administration and fiduciary duties in compliance with all trust stipulations
• Complete inventories and accountings promptly while maintaining accurate and detailed records
• Monitor investment performance closely and provide guidance to PG's Accounting Services Team as needed
• Conduct thorough interviews with referred individuals, their families, friends, physicians, social workers, mental health staff, law enforcement, and other involved parties to assess the need for conservatorship
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of case plans, treatment plans, and continuing care plans for conservatees
• Evaluate and process claims against the assets of conservatees, authorizing payment for valid claims or billings
• Lift and carry personal protection, test equipment, and client property up to 25 lbs

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Professional experience providing whole-person care or case management to adults, older adults, or vulnerable populations in a public or nonprofit setting.

• Applying confidentiality laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and regulations governing Personal Health Information (PHI), to ensure compliance
• Creating comprehensive case narratives to document actions and events, conducting interviews with clients exhibiting emotional or hostile behavior to extract and evaluate highly…