Assistant Public Administrator / Public Guardian / Public Conservator
Annual Salary: 83,449.60 - $99,985.60
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
This recruitment is a continuous recruitment and will be closed when a viable candidate pool has been identified. An initial screening of all applications will be held on November 18th, 2009. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply early for immediate consideration.
The Assistant Public Administrator/Public Guardian/Public Conservator (PA/PG/PC) performs Deputy PA/PG/PC duties with additional managerial responsibilities of directing, coordinating, implementing and overseeing the Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator programs.
Example of Duties:
Reporting to the HHSA Deputy Director of Aging and Disability Programs, the Assistant Public Administrator/Public Guardian/Public Conservator will supervise two part-time Probate Assistants; assume responsibility for the services and activities of the County’s Public Administrator/ Guardianship/Conservatorship program within the Comprehensive Services for Older Adults Division of Health and Human Services Agency; authorize treatment and arrange for placement of the conservatee in the most appropriate and least restrictive environment; visit conservatee and provide or make arrangements for personal services such as shopping, banking, moving and storing of property; arrange for physical and medical care of conservatee that may be required; sign checks, legal documents, surgery authorizations, hospital admissions and other documents on behalf of and for the benefit of clients as required by law; ensure proper medical care for clients, including participating in development of treatment plans, monitoring provision of services and evaluating and presenting client's wishes; prepare case documentation including correspondence, reports, case logs and activity updates to ensure accurate and timely record of case activity; attempt to resolve conflicts and disputes between agencies, clients, family members and care staff to ensure that the client’s personal and financial well-being is maintained; maintain detailed financial records on the account of each conservatee, or estate, showing all receipts and disbursements; provide assistance to County Counsel and private attorneys to file appropriate documents with Superior Court in the completion of conservatorships and decedent estates; oversee the work activities of subordinate employees to ensure work assignments are completed timely and correctly; interact diplomatically with individuals in response to inquiries into program, division and or/County policies and procedures, or regulatory requirements pertaining to various facets of State and Federal regulations; review all cases referred for estate administration and public guardianship/conservatorship program; investigate background of individuals to determine the need for conservatorship or estate administration services under the applicable laws and the availability of alternative resources; communicate with interested jurisdictions, family members, heirs, legal representatives, courts, physicians, health care providers and mental health professionals providing and obtaining information as required; establish consistent performance standards and expectations throughout the program; attempt to locate next of kin, will, funeral instructions and information regarding decedents estate; make funeral arrangements and final disbursements of estate in the absence of other responsible individuals; conduct searches for all real and personal property, take inventory, custody of and dispose of such property as required by law; arrange for the receipt of all benefits for which either conservatees or their estates may be entitled; administer the affairs of estates in probate and negotiate the settlement of claims against such estates; collect fees and other revenue as authorized by law or by adjudication for the purpose of partially recovering expenses incurred in providing conservatorship or estate administration services; liquidate assets, pay debts, review creditor’s claims and file taxes for the purpose of appropriately managing the conservatee's or decedent’s estate; coordinate Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator functions with those of other public and private agencies that provide services to conservatees; develop financial plan for daily and monthly maintenance needs of conservatee to ensure services are budgeted appropriately; maintain spreadsheets to track quality management indicators and submit data as required to fulfill compliance requirements.
Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Appropriate provisions of the California Probate Code, Welfare and Institutions Code and other pertinent laws and regulations as they relate to Public Administrator, Public Guardian and Conservator responsibilities.
- Operational characteristics, services and activities of assigned program area to maintain appropriate level of service to clients and comply with all statutes and regulations.
- Legal definitions and forms used in conservatorship and probate proceedings in order to process appropriate paperwork for clients.
- Principles and methods used in handling and administering the property and business affairs of mentally challenged persons.
- Communication and conflict resolution principles and techniques to deal effectively with clients, family members, care staff and others.
- Supervisory principles and practices and techniques to plan, oversee and direct the work activities of employees.
- Principles and techniques used to reinforce and reward positive performance to recognize and promote acceptable and superior performance of employees.
- Appropriate corrective actions and progressive disciplinary techniques to provide effective, appropriate monitoring, coaching, and counseling of staff.
- English language to formulate proper sentences, speak in correct and understandable manner to a variety of audiences, and understand the verbal communication of others.
- Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure to ensure that written materials prepared and reviewed are complete, succinct and error-free.
- Problem-solving techniques and processes to facilitate the identification and resolution of problems and issues related to the completion of work assignments.
- Wills, trusts, deeds and contracts in order to comply with statutes and manage estates appropriately.
- Special needs of disabled adults, mentally ill and frail elderly populations in order to establish rapport with clients and be able to meet their needs.
- Use and operation of basic office equipment (e.g., copiers, telephones and fax machines) to appropriately utilize the equipment in the course of completing assigned work tasks.
- Practices of case management including research, analysis and recommendations to maintain client's information.
Skill to:
- Communicate orally in an effective, understandable manner.
- Collaborate with internal and external departmental staff and staff from other agencies on issues related to all phases of work projects.
- Verbally communicate with management of the status and progress of work unit projects to ensure management awareness of project issues.
- Clearly and effectively write comprehensive and detailed materials (e.g., reports, polices and procedures) using proper grammar, punctuation and sentence structure.
- Analyze and evaluate situations accurately and thoroughly to determine and implement effective and appropriate courses of action.
- Delegate work assignments and appropriate level of responsibility to employees in order to complete work assignments and projects.
- Provide guidance and advice to employees regarding performance expectations, task completion, and overall performance issues.
- Plan, supervise and oversee the work activities of employees.
- Document employee performance and complete performance evaluations.
- Develop short-range and long-range plans and time lines to complete projects and assignments within established time frames and deadlines.
- Administer the property and business affairs of incapacitated individuals.
- Provide case management services and apply for benefits and services provided by public and private agencies.
- Operate a variety of office equipment including personal computers and related software applications.
Ability to:
- Use persuasion and diplomacy to achieve consensus and cooperation, especially on difficult or divisive issues.
- Exercise initiative, ingenuity and good judgment in decision-making and in solving problems, including problems of a sensitive or political nature.
- Work independently in the absence of close supervision.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Adapt quickly and appropriately to a variety of situations and personalities.
- Communicate tactfully in stressful situations when dealing with individuals holding differing opinions and viewpoints.
- Make appropriate decisions when faced with time constraints and limited information.
- Maintain flexibility in adapting to changes in priorities, assignments, and other interruptions, which may impact pre-established time lines and courses of action for completing projects.
- Lead by positive example in managing employees of the work unit or division.
- Deal effectively with clients who are difficult, unstable, mentally ill, potentially abusive or violent.
Willingness to:
- Work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
- Work in environments that are exposed to strong smells and unsanitary conditions, bacteria, body fluids and blood borne pathogens.
Experience and Education
To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A desirable combination is:
Experience:
Ideally a minimum of one year of increasingly responsible professional case management in legal guardianship, conservatorship, trust administration, estate management, probate or a related field preferably including two years of related project management, administrative and supervisory responsibility. Three or more years of experience as a Deputy Public Guardian/Conservator would be highly desirable.
Education:
Ideally a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, social sciences, counseling, pre-law or a field related to the program area is highly desirable. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the preferred college education.
License or Certificate:
Possession of certification from the California Association of Public Administrators/Public Guardians/Public Conservators is preferred, or incumbent must complete the coursework to obtain the certification within three years of hire.
Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
ADA ACCOMMODATION
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.
For more information or to apply go to: www.NapaCountyCareers.com
Napa County
900 Coombs Street
Napa, CA 94559
Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- Compensation: Annual Salary: 83,449.60 - $99,985.60
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