Chief Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator

Position Information

The Human Services Department seeks an experienced professional to become their next Chief Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator!

Starting salary up to $ 71.87 /hour ( $1 50,001 / year) plus a competitive total compensation package!

The Chief Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator (PA/PG/PC) acts as the legally appointed administrator for the estate of deceased individuals and the legally appointed conservator for persons found by the Courts to be unable to properly care for themselves and/or their finances. They are responsible for directing and managing the overall operations of the Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator programs, ensuring compliance with all applicable rules, regulations, statutes, and case law. Additional responsibilities include:

• Leading and supporting staff in the administration of conservatorships, guardianships, and estate management, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Appearing in conservatorship and criminal court hearings, providing testimony, and representing the official position of the conservator’s office with professionalism and integrity
• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with partner agencies and organizations to ensure coordinated, efficient, and client-centered services
• Exercising sound judgment in balancing the protection of vulnerable individuals with the preservation of their civil rights, ensuring that all actions are ethically grounded and legally defensible
• Overseeing the management of client estates, assets, and benefits, ensuring fiduciary responsibility, accuracy, and transparency in all financial transactions
• Contributing to long-term planning, policy development, and system improvements that strengthen service delivery and respond to emerging community needs
• Representing the office in public forums, advisory groups, and interagency collaborations, enhancing understanding of the conservatorship and guardianship processes and advocating for the needs of clients and the program
• Researching and interpreting Probate, Welfare and Institutions, Health and Safety, and Criminal codes to stay current on changes and to provide clear direction pertaining to conservatorship and estate management
• Assessing, evaluating, and providing clear direction regarding clinical, financial, and legal data concerning involuntary interventions provided to conservatees who are dependent, older, or mentally ill

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following:

• Professional experience in the administration of decedent estates, probate guardianships, and/or Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorships
• Experience working within or in close partnership with the court system, including probate, criminal, or conservatorship proceedings
• The demonstrated ability to partner with diverse organizations and agencies to achieve shared goals and deliver coordinated services
• Strong knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and legal processes governing conservatorships, guardianships, probate, and estate management
• Familiarity with public administration practices, including program oversight, policy implementation, and fiscal accountability
• The proven ability to exercise sound judgment and ethical decision-making in high-stakes situations involving individual rights, financial assets, and matters under public scrutiny
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Experience working with a diverse population of clients in varying degrees of crisis
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Panoramic Database Software, and other case management tracking tools
• Leadership or supervisory experience in a public sector or human services environment is highly desirable

About the Human Services Department (HSD)

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department’s mission is to build upon strengths, as we bridge clients to opportunities through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging.

HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our community.

The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels to find creative solutions to support the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders. For more information regarding HSD's services please visit http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services .

What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is currently being conducted to fill a Chief Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include a Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, social welfare, behavioral health, business administration, or related field; and three years experience equivalent to a Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator, including one year at a level equivalent to Supervising Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator.

OR

Some coursework in behavioral science, social welfare, behavioral health, business administration, or related field; and five years experience equivalent to a Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator; including one year at a level equivalent to Supervising Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator.

Certification: Certification by the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, and Public Conservators; or within one year of employment, employees in this classification shall obtain required certification.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

*Specification History

12/24 revisions limited to person-first, gender-neutral language.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: the appropriate provisions of the California Probate, Health and Safety, and Welfare and Institutions Codes, and other pertinent laws and regulations as they relate to Public Administrator and Public Guardian and Conservator; the principles and techniques of investigations, interviewing, and case management; legal definitions and forms used in conservatorship and probate proceedings; various public welfare programs and community resources available to conservatees; concepts involved in wills, trusts, insurance policies, deeds and contracts; legal procedures and practices; courtroom procedures; research and recordkeeping methods; the special needs of adults who are elderly, have disabilities, mental illness, and are frail; medical and psychiatric terminology and current treatment methods.

Working knowledge of: the principles and practices of personnel management, employee supervision, and training; budget development and fiscal management; principles and practices of program management including planning and program analysis; data collection, research methodology, and application of basic statistics; report writing.

Ability to: listen effectively to conflicting viewpoints and resolve disputes between agencies, staff, and clients; communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; assess and evaluate data and develop an effective course of action; work independently in performing work assignments, and in resolving problems and deviations; plan, prioritize, review, direct, implement, evaluate, and perform the work of the unit; supervise, motivate, counsel, discipline, and train subordinate staff; evaluate employee work performance and suggest alternative work methods or special training; develop and maintain effective relationships with the public, coworkers, clients, relatives and friends of clients, and employees of agencies involved with the unit; effectively and tactfully communicate with persons under emotional stress; deal effectively with clients who are difficult, unstable, mentally ill, potentially abusive, or violent; prepare correspondence and reports on various subjects in a clear and concise manner; prepare and monitor budgets; negotiate, draft, implement, and interpret contracts; draft and implement clear and concise division policies, procedures, and operating manuals; answer procedural, factual, and technical questions related to estate administration and conservatorship services; use modern office equipment and computers sufficient for satisfactory work performance.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed. Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: EP
HR Tech: VH

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: Management*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 10/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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