Deputy Public Guardian I

Job Description:

Deputy Public Guardian I

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

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.

First Round of Consideration will be Monday, December 1st, 2025.

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

THE AGENCY
TheCounty 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 (5) 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 DEPARTMENT
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 OPPORTUNITY

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess one of the following:

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

Additionally, the ideal candidate will also demonstrate knowledge and experience in the following competencies:

Technical Expertise | Legal & Regulatory Navigation

• 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 personal and sensitive information, and maintaining accurate, up-to-date client records
• Conducting interviews with multiple stakeholders to acquire comprehensive knowledge, advocating for the well-being of clients, ensuring the continuity of services such as psychiatric and medical treatment, and facilitating appropriate placements .
• Conducting interviews with family members and medical providers to acquire valuable insights into clients' situations
• Demonstrating proficiency in understanding fundamental Welfare and Institution, Probate, and Health and Safety government codes specific to California

Decision Making | Fact Finding | Delivering Results

• Reviewing financial statements to identify discrepancies, missing payments, or lapses in finances for the conservatee
• Advocating for clients' rights and making decisions on their behalf regarding shelter, medical and psychiatric care, and other daily needs
• Reporting suspicious behavior and circumstances as mandated by the role
• Assessing behavior and recognizing potential behavioral and medical issues
• Managing financial affairs, including making decisions for clients, protecting assets from loss, liquidating assets, overseeing transactions such as receiving income, handling benefits, reviewing invoices, and settling bills
• Reviewing and deciding on individualized treatment plans
• Conducting thorough investigations into the conservatee's medical, psychosocial, and financial background
• Identifying suitable individuals to serve as a conservators

Displaying Ownership & Accountability | Attention to Detail

• Efficiently managing a demanding caseload while , spending 50% of time in the field, balancing competing priorities and multiple deadlines amid frequent interruptions and evolving requirements
• Coordinating with medical facilities to ensure timely treatment and authorizations, and securing and monitoring psychiatric, medical, placement, and personal needs
• Thoroughly documenting information in charts, electronic case management systems, and files

Building & Maintaining Relationships | Influencing | Professional Impact

• Developing and fostering strong working relationships with internal and external parties
• Educating and persuading family members about conservatees' rights and responsibilities within the conservatorship process
• Serving as a liaison on behalf of clients and representing the Public Guardian in court proceedings

Oral and Written Communication Skills

• Crafting articulate, thorough, and grammatically precise court reports that effectively communicate a client's conditions, backgrounds, circumstances, and needs to substantiate investigation findings and recommendations
• Writing intricate and comprehensive reports within established guidelines and meeting court deadlines
• Timely dissemination of pertinent and crucial information to key stakeholders, including the Courts, medical and treatment personnel, supervisors, managers, and other County and government agencies

A valid California driver's license and proof of auto insurance must be maintained by the date of appointment. Incumbents are obligated to utilize their personal vehicles for client services and County business, with reimbursement facilitated through the mileage claim process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please clickhere to view the minimum qualifications for the Deputy Public Guardian I classification as well as the physical & mental requirements and the environmental conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.


Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Email Notification

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
Click herefor additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Athena Corrales at (714) 834-6713 or acorrales@ochca.com

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,

encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$30.97 - $41.50 Hourly