Overview
County of Tehama
Red Bluff, CA
Full-Time with Benefits
SALARY: $27.43 – $33.35 Hourly | $2,194.40 – $2,668.00 Biweekly
ABOUT THE POSITION:
Under direction of the Conservator/Public Guardian/Public Administrator, this position assists in investigations, recommendations and administration of conservatorships and public administration cases. They also provide administrative and fiscal support in department activities and programs.
In this journey level classification, incumbents manage a caseload of complex and difficult conservatee services; performs complex legal, financial and social services casework functions, including risk assessment. They may provide technical direction, training and consultation to others and/or function in a lead worker capacity.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The department includes three programs: The Public Guardian, Public Administrator and the Representative Payee Program. The Public Guardian function is carried out via Probate and LPS Conservatorships, which assist individuals who are unable to provide for their own basic needs, (food, clothing, and shelter). Probate Conservatorships are primarily established for adults who cannot care for themselves or manage their own finances. This type of conservatorship is often used for older adults with severe limitations and for younger people who have serious cognitive impairments. LPS conservatorships are established to arrange mental health treatment and placement for people who are unable to provide for their food, clothing, shelter, and treatment needs, as a result of a mental disorder.
The Public Administrator function handles the disposition of deceased estates. The Public Administrator serves the public by investigating and administering the estates of persons who die with no will or without an appropriate person willing or able to act as administrator. The Public Administrator’s primary duties are to protect the decedent’s property from waste, loss or theft; make appropriate burial arrangements; conduct thorough investigations to discover all assets; liquidate asset sat public sale or distribute assets to heirs; pay the decedent’s bills and taxes; and locate persons entitled to inherit from the estate and ensure that these individuals receive their inheritance. The Representative Payee program’s main duties are to use the client’s benefits to pay for the current and future needs of the beneficiary, and properly save any benefits not needed to meet current needs. A rep payee is an individual or organization that receives Social Security and/or SSI payments for someone who cannot manage or direct someone else to manage his/her money.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Conducts investigations of proposed conservatees and public administration cases; prepares related reports; Visits clients on a regular or as-needed basis, and prepares visitation reports; Provides for the care, treatment and supervision of conservatees; acts as advocate in all matters pertaining to conservatees; makes referrals to other social service agencies as appropriate; makes appointments with physicians and other professionals as needed; Marshalls the assets of conservatees and public administration cases, deposits monies received on behalf of estates and others in accounts authorized by State law controlling the authority of Public Guardians and Public Administrators; maintains and balances conservator account; disburses and closes estates; opens burial trusts and makes funeral arrangements; Maintains contact and communication with conservatees and public administration cases, their families, mental health case managers, attorneys, care providers, and other client service related agencies; Provides client transportation to medical or other appointments as needed; Inventories, cleans, disposes of client property as appropriate; Attends meetings, workshops and training sessions as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills; Performs general office work as necessary, including answering the telephone, typing reports and correspondence, entering data into the computer, copying and filing documents, etc.; Provides direction and indirect supervision of department support staff as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Probate and Welfare and Institutions Code sections pertinent to conservatorships, guardianships and public administration; Basics of abnormal psychology and individual/group behavior; Social security, veterans and welfare systems; Principles of estate management; Community resources available to the elderly and mentally ill; Administrative principles and techniques; Applicable Federal, State, County, Department, and Division laws, regulations, policies and procedures; Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment; Record keeping principles and procedures; Computer applications related to the work; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; Techniques for dealing effectively with and providing a high level of customer service to all individuals contacted in the course of work.
ABILTIY TO:
Make responsible life decisions for helpless, mentally ill and/or incompetent individuals; Analyze and evaluate situations accurately, draw logical conclusions and adopt or recommend an effective course of action; Deal effectively with persons exhibiting symptoms of mental disorder, senility, and/or incompetence; Organize and administer estates; Maintain complex financial records; Effectively prepare and control the department budget; Type with accuracy and adequate speed on a typewriter and computer; Work independently and as a team member; Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing; Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines;
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs; Maintain significant flexibility in daily operations and decision making; Read and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job; Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work; Assemble and analyze information and prepare written reports and records in a clear and concise manner; React calmly and professionally in emergency, emotional, and/or stressful situations; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted on the job.
Education, Experience & Licenses
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associates Degree, with focus of education related to social services, mental health, legal or other related fields.
- A minimum of three (3) years experience in social service, mental health, legal or other related fields.
- Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
LICENSE & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Requires a valid California driver’s license.
- Requires ability to be bonded.
Recruitment Information
The department currently has one (1) vacancy.
In addition, Tehama County is establishing an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for a Deputy Conservator/Public Guardian/Public Administrator, as well as subsequent vacancies which occur during the life of the eligibility list.
Please upload ALL required documents when applying such as, copies of all required degrees and/or certifications as outlined in the job description. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For questions about this recruitment, contact:
Melani Rodrigue
530-527-5634 | mrodrigue@co.tehama.ca.us
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of background, fingerprinting, drug test (including marijuana) and physical examination provided by the County.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANT / VETERANS’ PREFERENCEPOLICY / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE