Deputy Public Guardian

Description

Under general direction, assists with the management of guardianships and their estates.

Examples of Duties

• Visits wards in facilities, homes, hospitals, etc., and attends to their needs; provides transportation as required; manages medical decisions and locates appropriate medical services; supervises visits with estranged family members.
• Confers with and coordinates assigned activities with service providers in various public and private organizations to ensure that resources are appropriately utilized and that all clients receive the most effective provision of services.
• Receives petitions from government entities, law enforcement, medical institutions, and the general public for guardianship for proposed protected persons; reviews information to determine whether proposed protected person meets requirements for appointment of Public Guardian; works with legal counsel to file appropriate documents related to the initiation of guardianship proceedings, and signs and provides the petitioner an acknowledgment that the Public Guardian received a copy of the petition for the appointment of Public Guardian.
• Assesses the financial and physical needs of clients to make eligibility determinations and coordinate available community resources and professional care, including medical, placement, legal needs and daily living skills, to meet client needs to maintain optimum quality of life and care within available resources.
• Upon court appointment, manages the estate of protected persons, including receipt of income, payment of expenses and claims, inventory of property, sale of property if necessary, investment of income as appropriate; and winds up affairs and administers estates when necessary.
• Upon court appointment, secures and maintains government and other benefits on behalf of the protected person as appropriate, including Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and Veterans Administration.
• Confers with and coordinates assigned activities with service providers in various public and private organizations to ensure that resources are appropriately utilized and that all clients receive the most effective provision of services.
• Interacts with the courts and all entities involved in the legal process.
• Receives and monitors court-ordered assignments from inception to completion and final discharge by the court.
  • Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures and other written materials, including necessary annual reports and accountings to the court and Letters of Guardianship.
  • Serve as signatory for protected persons’ bank accounts.
  • Arranges for interpreters as needed.
  • Serves on task forces and committees promoting protective services and senior related issues.
  • Maintains accurate records and files.
  • Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.
  • Drives a personal or City motor vehicle to attend off-site meetings, visit off-site locations and conduct other Public Guardian business.
  • Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of clerical staff who perform support functions.
  • Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service by reviewing and recommending improved policies and procedures.
  • Assist the Public Guardian with monitoring and interpreting changes in laws and regulations related to assigned functions; assist with evaluating their impact upon departmental activities and assists with developing policy and procedural changes as required.
  • Will be designated to act as Deputy Public Guardian in the absence of the Public Guardian to perform all necessary functions of the Public Guardian during the designation.
  • Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with elected officials, clients, public, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment

Typical Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License
• Certified Guardian with the National Guardianship Association at time of appointment is preferred, or must be obtained within nine (9) months of hire

• Principles and practices of case management, social work and social service provision.
• Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.
• Effects of mental and physical illnesses.
• Health and medical conditions and diagnoses.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and the management of employees.
• Applicable laws, codes and regulations, including Medicaid and Social Security.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Record management principles and practices.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, often in situations which may be stressful.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.

• Planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing and evaluating the work of others.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Using tact, discretion and prudence in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with staff, coworkers, contractors and the public.

Supplemental Information

• All new employees will serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months. Such employees are not subject to the collective bargaining agreement and may be laid off or discharged during this period for any reason, or no reason.

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.

• Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.

• New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation and a drug screen. The fee associated with the background check and drug test must be paid by the employee prior to beginning employment. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and drug screen.

• Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.

• Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.