Public Administrator/Conservator I

County of Santa Barbara
$70,010.72 - $83,732.48 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, long term disability, retirement plan, relocation assistance
United States, California, Santa Barbara
1226 Anacapa Street (Show on map)
Nov 13, 2024
Description SALARY $33.66 - $40.26 Hourly $70,010.72 - $83,732.48 Annually We are accepting applications to fill two full-time Public Administrator/Conservator I vacancies in Santa Barbara. The current vacancies are in the Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator-Public Guardian Department. THE POSITION: Under direction, this position determines the need for conservatorship services; and/or, arranges for the care and well-being of persons placed under the jurisdiction of the Public Guardian; other duties may include administering the estates of decedents and conservatees; and other duties as required. Under general supervision, evaluates and investigates referrals to the Public Guardian Office to determine the individual's need and eligibility for conservatorship; evaluates the level of risk of individuals who may be gravely disabled; prepares court reports recommending conservatorship or a viable alternative; and other work as required. The incumbent investigates and evaluates individual needs and determines eligibility for and if public conservatorship is in the best interest of that individual. May also manage personal and financial affairs of persons who have been placed under conservatorship by the court and is responsible for protecting conservatees and their estates from exploitation and loss. Incumbent will be responsible for investigating referrals and preparing recommendations for conservatorship for Superior Court. Public Administrator/Conservator I/II is a flexibly-staffed series. The I level is the entry-level classification in which incumbents receive training to perform the full range of duties in the area of conservatorships or public administration. Incumbents are expected to promote to the II level within a reasonable period of time. The II level is the journey-level classification in the series. Work assignments involve the more complex cases and require a higher level of technical knowledge. BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. For benefit information, click here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate. The Ideal Candidate will have: Knowledge of basic Public Guardian / Conservator functions and related laws; investigative procedures; interviewing and analytical techniques. Ability to conduct effective interviews to discuss sensitive information. Ability to research, collect, review and verify accuracy and completeness of information. Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate with various departments to resolve issues and develop course of actions. Ability to exercise tact, professionalism, diplomacy, courtesy, and sensitivity. Examples of Duties Public Guardian (Conservator): Reviews referrals requesting conservatorships and decides on the jurisdiction of the Public Guardian to act in these cases; assesses referred individuals to determine if they lack the capacity to care for themselves; evaluates information and makes recommendations for conservatorship services; seeks alternatives to conservatorship when available; counsels clients and/or family members in time of need or crisis; identifies and obtains benefits such as pensions, public assistance, medical care and housing; acts as a liaison between clients and local, state, federal, and non-profit agencies; provides general information to the public about conservatorships. Investigates the financial, psychological, family, and social histories of referred individuals in order to determine if they meet the criteria for conservatorship; plans and arranges for client placement in a variety of facilities; coordinates care and treatment of clients; transports clients when necessary; makes home and facility visits and inspections; makes funeral and burial arrangements for conservatees; reviews and authorizes payment of clients' bills. Writes professional reports that meet court requirements; attends court hearings and jury trials and testifies, when necessary; confers with legal counsel in preparation for trials or in the interpretation of laws, codes, and statutes. Public Administrator: Reviews requests for decedent estate administration or deceased indigent program and determines jurisdiction of the Public Administrator to act in these cases; secures evidence of births, marriages, divorces, military service, and jobs to ascertain location and disposition of estates; works with private and public agencies and institutions, such as the County Coroner, mortuaries, County Clerk-Recorder, banks, pension/retirement funds, heir seekers; searches for and interviews associates or heirs of decedents; makes funeral and burial arrangements. Inventories and appraises real and personal property of Public Administrator and Public Guardian clients; approves claims for decedent estate expenses; makes recommendations for the sale, rental and/or repair of real and personal property; assists in the removal and storage of personal property. Writes professional reports that meet court requirements; obtains court approval for the disposition of assets; confers with legal counsel in preparation for administration of estates and the interpretation of laws, codes and statutes. Employment Standards Possession of a bachelor's degree in psychology, nursing, sociology, law, or a closely related field; OR, One year of paraprofessional experience in counseling, social work, law, or health care and two years of college coursework that included 15 semester units or 22 quarter units in psychology, nursing, sociology, law, or a closely related field; OR, One year of experience performing duties equivalent to Deputy Public Administrator/Conservator Aide with Santa Barbara County AND 15 semester units or 22 quarter units of college coursework in psychology, nursing, sociology, law, or a closely related field; OR, A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Knowledge of: interviewing techniques for acquiring factual information; human behavior; methods of identifying and assessing social needs; basic principles and practices of customer service, case management, and public relations; the mentally ill and/or frail elderly populations; public and private resources to meet the needs of conservatees; fundamental recordkeeping and bookkeeping practices; basic arithmetic; English usage and grammar. Ability to: conduct investigations by collecting and verifying that information and preparing reports; write legal documents; learn to use investigative techniques to locate assets, liabilities, and relatives; learn to interpret, explain and apply laws and regulations related to conservatorship administration, including the Probate Code and Welfare & Institutions Codes; learn court procedures regarding conservatorships; organize and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines; make difficult legal decisions under time pressure and maintain objectivity and professionalism even under pressure from others; work independently; prepare and write clear and concise professional reports and letters; communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in person and over the phone; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide array of professionals, colleagues, clients and representatives of other agencies or departments; learn the symptoms and behavior patterns of persons with psychiatric and/or medical problems; assist people under emotional stress or with medical problems or disabilities; exercise tact and diplomacy and communicate effectively with persons under emotional stress or with mentally disabled, hostile, or uncooperative clients and their family members; exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations; work effectively with persons from varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; provide information for preparing legal documents; maintain records and reports; perform basic mathematical computations; access and use basic personal computer applications including word processing; input and retrieve data and information stored in computerized record systems; learn a variety of computer programs. Desirable Qualifications: Public Guardian (Conservator): Knowledge of: the mentally ill and/or frail elderly populations; public and private resources to meet the needs of conservatees. Ability to: write legal documents. Public Administrator: Knowledge of: estate administration, wills, trusts. Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required for some positions. Supplemental Information APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven (12) qualified candidates. Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution. VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the test date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score. Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal background investigation and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must also satisfactorily complete a twelve (12) month probationary period. Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines. Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. Statement of Commitment The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential. We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances. We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members. We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity. APPLICATION DEADLINE AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 12/2/2024 by 4:59 PM PST. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com. Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst II- erkuhn@countyofsb.org