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Position Description Calaveras County Health and Human Services is seeking the ideal candidate to join the Adult Services team as a Deputy Public Guardian (DPG). The Calaveras County Public Guardian/Conservator's Office is responsible for the care, supervision, and financial management of county residents who are severely disabled and unable to manage their affairs or make appropriate decisions for themselves. These individuals have a mental illness or a cognitive impairment, and for a variety of reasons, family members are unable to assist them.

The Public Guardian/Conservator conducts official county investigations into conservatorship matters and acts as the legally appointed guardian or conservator for individuals who meet the legal criteria. Additional duties may include taking referrals for severe abuse or neglect investigations within the Adult Protective Services unit. DEFINITION AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Under general direction and supervision, this flexibly staffed class identifies child and adult client needs for more intensive case services; provides referrals; carries a caseload of moderately difficult cases; manages a caseload of increasingly difficult cases; investigates the medical, psychological, financial and social backgrounds of individuals referred for conservatorship to determine and recommend to the court regarding appropriateness of conservatorship; plans and monitors the personal and financial affairs of such persons; arranges for delivery of community support services for elderly, mentally impaired or physically disabled clients; assesses risk and provides case management for child and adult clients and conservatees to assure their safety in the least restrictive environment; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Deputy Public Guardian I This is an entry level position in the Deputy Public Guardian series. An incumbent learns to perform a variety of protective and conservatorship specific duties related to case management and service provision and perform other duties as assigned. An incumbent is expected to develop knowledge regarding the provision of protective and Deputy Public Guardian services, develop comprehensive care plans, and have knowledge about the principles of, community resources for, and the social aspects of behavioral health (mental health and/or substance use disorder) services.

An incumbent is expected to further develop the principles and practices of case management, rehabilitation methodologies, and the scope of activities of public and private health and social services agencies. An incumbent may become eligible for promotion to the Deputy Public Guardian II level upon demonstration of progressively responsible job assignments and performance, independence of action, sound decision making and attainment of required minimum qualifications. Deputy Public Guardian II This is a journey level position in the Deputy Public Guardian series.

An incumbent is expected to perform a variety of conservatorship specific duties related to case management and service provision and perform other duties as assigned. An incumbent is expected to have considerable knowledge regarding the provision of Deputy Public Guardian services, develop comprehensive care plans, and have knowledge about the principles of, community resources for, and the social aspects of behavioral health (mental health and/or substance use disorder) services. An incumbent is expected to know the principles and practices of case management, rehabilitation methodologies, and the scope of activities of public and private health and social services agencies.

Example of Duties The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.

Conducts interviews with clients, family members, and others to assess the safety, basic social, physical, and mental health needs of clients and obtain health information in order to identify and provide services. Assesses reports of suspected abuse; may be required to work on-call. Analyzes compiled information to determine whether the person is disabled or substantially unable to provide for their own personal care, shelter and financial needs; investigates and assesses the financial, medical, psychological, vocational and social background of persons being considered for and/or placed under the jurisdiction of the Public Guardian.

Explains conservatorship to proposed conservatees and wards, their families, and other involved persons or agencies, including legal representatives, physicians, health care providers and mental health professionals. Develops comprehensive care plans for protective services clients and conservatees which address the conservatees' assessed needs and level of functioning, reviewing such plans on an on-going basis and modifying as appropriate. Petitions for appointment, annual reappointment and termination of Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorships and Probate Code Petitions based on declarations of mental health and/or other medical professionals accepted by the court/law; causes preparation of and reviews court pleadings, inventory and appraisals, periodic and final accountings, court confirmation of sales, and petitions for special instructions; interprets and applies the Welfare and Institution and Probate Codes.

Determines whether guardianship or conservatorship is appropriate under the applicable laws or any suitable alternatives. Prepares reports, testifies and makes recommendations to the court regarding guardianship or conservatorship referrals. Researches records for pertinent clinical history, diagnosis and prognosis; consults with physicians, community social services or health care services to arrange for placement of clients/conservatees in the most appropriate and least restrictive facility; authorizes treatment and personally coordinates the placement of conservatees in care facilities; coordinates and/or visits these facilities in person, telephone, and/or video conferencing to monitor the conservatee and their current needs, to evaluate their ongoing suitability as a residence for conservatees; and arranges for transportation to court hearings when required.

Serves as clients' rights advocate; works with community health, social services and other agencies to arrange for a delivery of services to clients; applies for all public and private financial benefits and assistance to which clients/conservatees are eligible, such as Social Security, Veteran's and retirement benefits or social services program assistance. Locates, inventories and directs the marshalling of all assets, including Social Security benefits, Veterans' benefits, other income, and personal and real property; oversees appraisal of estate, including maintaining records of assets and debits for the estate; and protects the estate against loss and/or waste; collects debts due to conservatees; reviews claims against conservatee's assets; arranges for the storing of personal property and assists in disposing of real and personal property through sale, public auction or disbursement to relatives, as appropriate and provides for payment of expenses from assets and other sources of assistance. Collaborates within Adult Protective Services, with local law enforcement, attorneys and others.

in preparing and invoking a Certificate of Authority to Take Possession or Control of Property (Probate Code Section 2900-2903) for the purpose of protecting the assets of an elder or dependent adult domiciled in Calaveras County from loss, injury, waste, or misappropriation by another party. Analyzes and makes recommendations to management concerning procedural changes such as for new or revised work related policies, procedures, and standards; serves on policy, technical, personnel, and customer group committees. Prepares and maintains comprehensive, accurate and timely case reports, records, and correspondence, including petitions, court reports and chronological activity records.

Complies with all County equipment and safety policies and procedures, and California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CalOSHA) rules and regulations. Drives a County or personal motor vehicle to attend court sessions and meetings, interview persons and visit case sites; may be designated to represent the County as the Public Guardian in meetings with other county or community agencies where assigned program is at issue. Applies for and acts as Representative Payee for conservatees.

Consults with County Counsel to interpret sections of State and Federal regulations, Welfare and Institution and Probate Codes pertaining to Public Guardian program matters. Assists counsel of record on behalf of wards and conservatees in all criminal and civil hearings outside of conservatorship or guardianship. Notifies relatives of the death of conservatees, makes funeral arrangements and arranges for disposal of assets of deceased wards and conservatees as directed by the Probate Code.

Develops policies and procedures in the areas of Guardianship, Conservatorship, LPS, and Estate Administration and revise as necessary with changes in local and State laws and regulations. Deputy Public Guardian II In addition to above: The Deputy Public Guardian performs the aforementioned duties at a journey level, other than the work in protective services. The Deputy Public Guardian II may be assigned more complex and difficult cases with limited supervision and direction.

Minimum Qualifications Knowledge of: Community resources related to behavioral health, guardianship and/or related issues, and a general understanding of principles and practices of case management, social aspects of mental illness, emotional and behavioral disorders, addiction and substance abuse; scope and activities of public and private health and welfare agencies. Ability to: Apply the principles of current behavioral health treatment practices, agency policies and procedures; establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of persons contacted in the course of the work; write clear, accurate and concise notes and reports; maintain an objective and empathetic understanding of mental illness, emotional and behavioral disorders, addiction, substance abuse, and related problems. Interpret and appropriately apply county, agency, and departmental policies, procedures, and rules.

Education, Training, and Experience: Deputy Public Guardian I Graduation from high school and six years of experience working directly with consumers in a public behavioral health, social services, or similar setting. -Or- An Associate's Degree in Human Services, or a related field, and three years of experience working directly with consumers in a public behavioral health, social services, or similar setting. -Or- Completion of a Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social work, chemical dependency, or a related field and one year of experience working directly with consumers in a public behavioral health, social services, or similar setting.

Deputy Public Guardian II Graduation from high school and eight years of experience working directly with consumers in a public behavioral health, social services, or similar setting. -Or- An Associate's Degree in Human Services, or a related field, and five years of experience working directly with consumers in a public behavioral health, social services, or similar setting. -Or- Completion of a Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social work, chemical dependency, or a related field and three years of experience working directly with consumers in a public behavioral health, social services, or similar setting.

-Or- Master's, Doctoral, or other like advanced degree in psychology, social work, chemical dependency, or a related field and one year experience working directly with consumers in a public behavioral health, social services, or similar setting. Special Requirements Possession of an appropriate and valid California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. Must obtain certification issued by the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators (PA/PG/PC) within four (4) years of appointment under the standards and certification requirements set forth by the PA/PG/PC and maintain certification while employed in the Public Guardian/Conservator Office or subject to dismissal; must provide proof of re-certification within 10 calendar days prior to expiration.

Must take the certificate of appointment and oath to act as a "Deputy Public Guardian." Consents to act as conservator, of person and estate of the proposed conservatee ordered by the Superior Court Judge.