Chief Deputy Public Guardian

Introduction

This examination is being given to fill a current vacancy in the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

San Joaquin County is recruiting a Chief Deputy Public Guardian to provide management oversight of the daily operations of the Public Guardian/Conservator’s Office. In addition to providing overall administrative management to the office, the Chief participates in the most complex conservatorship, guardianship and substitute payee cases and may act for the Public Guardian/Conservator. The incumbent reports directly to the Public Guardian/Conservator and functions as the second-in-command in the Public Guardian/Conservator’s Office. The incumbent also has specific responsibility for ensuring that the checks and balances system pertaining to the operations of the Public Guardian/Conservator’s Office is effectively maintained.

The ideal candidate should possess extensive knowledge of conservatorship and estate administration services as specified by the Probate Code and Welfare and Institutions Code, and will have experience professional staff engaged in the casework related to this funtion. If selected, the incumbent must be certified through the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, and Public Conservators within four (4) years of appointment and will be able to successfully pass a State of California background check.

For more information about this exciting opportunity, please see the Recruitment Brochure:

Chief Deputy Public Guardian

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Plans, organizes, prioritizes and directs the work of department staff; selects, trains, assigns, directs, and evaluates subordinate personnel; analyzes staffing and work flow and adjusts procedures as needed to maximize resource utilization; may act for the Public Guardian/Conservator on matters pertaining to the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office; may have signature authority on various documents such as deeds, contracts, and court documents.
  
• Supervises and participates in the operations of the Public Guardian/Conservator's Office, including investigating the financial, social, and medical background of persons referred for guardianship or conservatorship; determining appropriateness of guardianship or conservatorship under applicable laws; preparing reports, and the provision of testimony and recommendations to the court regarding guardianship or conservatorship referrals; developing financial plans for daily and monthly maintenance needs of conservatees; authorizing payment of bills, arranging for housing, medical care, nursing care, food and other basic needs; conferring and coordinating with health care, social service, and legal agencies and representatives regarding care of clients.
  
• Supervises and participates in the operations related to the locating, securing and inventorying all real and personal property maintaining accurate records on all assets and liabilities of each conservatee; development of financial resources for payment of care and/or incidental needs of conservatees including: making arrangements for purchase or disposal of personal and real property; applying for SSI, Social Security, Medicare, or other benefits; locating and applying for private or government pensions, etc.
  
• Supervises and participates in the operations related to the monitoring of the physical, emotional and fiscal well being of conservatees and the adequacy and appropriateness of case management activities; reviews financial accountings, individual records and transactions and other records to ensure appropriate expenditure of conservatee funds for the benefit of the conservatee; visits conservatee by phone and in person to ascertain the appropriateness and adequacy of housing, meals, health care and related matters.
  
• Supervises and participates in the operations related to the management of the real and personal property of conservatees; ensures adequate insurance coverage for real and personal property; arranges for the storage of personal property; negotiates the sale of personal property; arranges for professional financial management of large estates; obtains court authorization to liquidate holdings such as stocks, bonds and other instruments as needed to provide for the care of conservatees.
  
• Ensures that the policies and procedures related to the system of internal checks and balances are fully implemented; monitors staff for compliance with the checks and balances system; provides quality assurance through random reviews.
  
• Participates in the planning, development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures; helps develop automated and other systems to promote efficiency of effort and accuracy of information; develops short and long range goals and objectives as assigned; interprets policies, regulations and laws for subordinate staff; assures compliance with same; participates in the preparing and monitoring the departmental budget.
  
• Prepares case documentation, correspondence and reports; prepares legal documents, forms and related paperwork as necessary; maintains case logs and activity updates; oversees the safekeeping of case records and files.
  
• Schedules and leads staff meetings; may participate in conferences; seminars or special training programs; completes special projects as assigned.
  

KNOWLEDGE

Principles and practices of supervision and training; the California State Mental Health Act (Bronzon-McCorquodale Act); applicable provision of the Probate Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code; pertinent laws, regulations and ordinances governing conservatorship and sub payees; general financial management and record keeping principles; basic psychological and physiological disorders; common medical and social problems associated with handicapped or incompetent persons; basic principles of social casework; medical and social service programs; court procedures relative to conservatorship, guardianship and substitute payee functions; principles, practices, and methods of estate administration and management, including legal requirements.

ABILITY

Understand, interpret and apply complex laws and regulations;, including the Probate Code, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, and the Welfare and Institutions Code; establish and maintain accurate financial and casework records; analyze and evaluate legal and medical information; draw logical conclusions and make appropriate decisions; work closely with gravely disabled and disoriented people; accept and use consultative supervision related to client care; elicit medical, personal, and financial information from psychiatric patients, their families and friends; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Must be able to pass a State Of California background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo .

Accomodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS

Health Insurance : San Joaquin County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees of this bargaining unit. The benefits include the option of three medical plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.

Dental Insurance : The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

Vision Insurance : The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Benefits.

Life Insurance : The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows:

1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000
3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000
5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000
10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000

Employees may purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate. Regular employees in this unit shall be provided with a supplemental life insurance policy with a face value up to $75,000.

125 Flexible Benefits Plan : This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit).

Retirement Plan : Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.

Deferred Compensation : The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $18,000 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $24,000.The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

Vacation : Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

Holiday : Depending on date of hire into the unit, employees earn either 10 or 14 holidays per year.

Administrative Leave : Each fiscal year, department heads grant 10 days of administrative leave to eligible salaried employees. Administrative leave may not be carried beyond to the next fiscal year.

Sick Leave : 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive : An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one-half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

Bereavement Leave : 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

Merit Salary Increase : New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

Educational Reimbursement Program : Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.

Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton : The County contributes up to $17 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

School Activities : Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.

Note: County e mployees who currently receive a cafeteria plan allowance and subsequently transfer, demote or promote from or into the Middle Management represented unit which provides for a capped cafeteria plan contribution amount shall receive the capped amount of the Middle Management unit.

Selection Procedures

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

• Written Exam : The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
• Oral Exam : The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise. The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview. A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list. Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews. If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
• Written & Oral Exam: If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
• Rate-out: A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process.

Note: The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

Testing Accommodation: Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.

Veteran’s Points : Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service. Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration. Note: A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

Acceptable wartime service dates:

• September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946
  
• June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
  
• August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
  
• Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
  

Eligible Lists: Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.

Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

• Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews. The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
• Rule of Five: The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews. This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.
• Rule of the List: For classifications designated by the Director of Human Resources, the entire eligible list will be referred to the department.

Physical Exam: Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam: Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

• They are related to the Appointing Authority or
  
• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.
  

Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility: If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply Online:

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202

Office hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone: (209) 468-3370

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377.

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer : San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo .


Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. View and print the official application form as an Acrobat pdf file. A San Joaquin County application form is required for this recruitment. You may print this Acrobat PDF document and then fill it in. Contact us via conventional means. You may contact us by phone at (209) 468-3370, or by email, or apply for a job in person at the San Joaquin County Human Resources Division.

Closing Date/Time: 8/19/2025 11:59:00 PM

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• San Joaquin County

• (209) 468-3370

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