Deputy Public Guardian

County of Riverside; California; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Riverside’s RUHS Behavioral Health Department seeks Deputy Public Guardians to join a team managing conservatorship and guardianship cases across Riverside County. The role emphasizes safeguarding welfare and assets, coordinating medical and social services, and ensuring compliance with court orders.

Extensive case management experience is preferred. The position requires driving throughout Riverside County and maintaining CA PAPGPC certification within 4 years of hire.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a behavioral science/public/business admin/finance/accounting/social services or related field.
• Must register for membership in the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators (CA PAPGPC). CA PAPGPC members responsible for operational oversight must be certified and comply with continuing education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the financial, medical, psychiatric, social circumstances, living situations, and support networks to determine eligibility for conservatorship.
• Conduct detailed investigations into estates to protect assets and secure property.
• Apply for and manage benefits for conservatees (insurance, Medi-Cal, Social Security, pensions, annuities, veteran’s benefits).
• Prepare and review investigation reports and communicate with relatives, attorneys, title companies, banks to determine clear title.
• Arrange management, rental or sale of property to satisfy claims or support care.
• Coordinate supporting services for caseload and ensure medical/psychiatric/social services.
• Develop and monitor case plans to ensure appropriate medical care and placement.

Skills

Case management experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, public/business administration, finance, accounting, social services, human services, or related field

Job description

About the Position

The County of Riverside - Riverside University Health System (RUHS) - Behavioral Health Department seeks Deputy Public Guardians to join our team. This job opening will serve to fill multiple current and upcoming Deputy Public Guardian vacancies in Riverside County.

The Deputy Public Guardian is the journey level classification in the Deputy Public Guardian series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager level position. Incumbents are responsible for the management of conservatorship and guardianship cases involving both personal care and estate administration. Deputy Public Guardians exercise professional responsibility in safeguarding conservatees’ personal welfare and assets, coordinating medical and social services, and ensuring compliance with court orders.

The Deputy Public Guardian’s primary responsibilities include investigating and administering the estates of disabled or legally incompetent individuals; and providing conservatorship services as specified in the Probate Code and the Welfare/Institutions Code.

Extensive Case Management Experience Is Preferred

This position will require driving and traveling throughout Riverside County

Meet the Team!

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually.

We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian’s Office, address the diverse needs of our community.

At RUHS Behavioral Health, you’ll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

If you’re passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!

For more information, please visit www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health

Examples of Essential Duties

• Investigate the financial, medical, psychiatric, social circumstances, living situations, and support networks of persons referred to the Public Guardian to determine eligibility for conservatorship as gravely disabled or legally incompetent, which includes interviews with families, service providers and other interested parties.
• Conduct detailed investigations into estates of persons placed under conservatorship to discover and protect assets; locate, marshal, inventory, and safeguard real and personal property, including preliminary appraisal of assets and secure any cash or valuables.
• Apply for, secure and manage benefits to which conservatees are entitled, such as insurance, financial assistance, social security, Medi-Cal, pensions and annuities, and veteran’s benefits.
• Prepare and/or review investigation reports; contact and correspond with relatives, attorneys, title companies, banks, and other entities to determine clear title to assets; review estate planning documents including wills and trusts.
• Arrange for the management, rental or sale of real and personal property to satisfy valid claims against the estate or to apply funds to the conservatees’ care and treatment.
• Authorize and process payment of valid claims against the estate; arrange for payment of mortgages, insurance premiums, taxes, and other obligations; may oversee the operation of a business when in the interest of the conservatee.
• Coordinate supporting services for assigned caseload, including legal, medical, psychiatric, and social services; arrange, in conjunction with service agencies, for the physical care and shelter of conservatees.
• Conduct assessments and prepare case and care plans for any conservatees; develop, implement and monitor case plans to ensure appropriate medical care, psychiatric treatment and placement in the least restrictive environment.
• Consent to the placement of conservatees in acute medical facilities, long-term nursing care or residential care facilities as appropriate.
• Arrange for funeral services and the distribution of assets pursuant to testate or intestate succession, in compliance with applicable laws; may oversee adoption or other disposition of conservatees’ pets.
• Upon court authorization, may hire or dismiss agents such as attorneys, real estate brokers, accountants, or care providers, and arrange for the eviction or removal of tenants residing in estate property.
• File petitions with the court as necessary; prepare reports of detailed accountings of financial transactions taken on behalf of conservatees.
• Respond to requests from the court and other governmental agencies for clarification or explanation of case records and reports.
• Represent the Public Guardian in court hearings and provide testimony regarding recommendations, accountings and case status.
• Provide for transportation of conservatees to court hearings, placements or other appointments when no other transportation options are available.
• Make financial, medical and placement decisions on behalf of conservatees when authorized by the courts.
• Provide the public with general information regarding conservatorship.
• Maintain accurate case files, financial records and reports in accordance with legal and professional standards; perform timely documentation of case notes and organize and maintain legal documentation and financial records.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree, with an emphasis in behavioral science, public or business administration, finance, accounting, social services, human services, or related field. (Case management experience in a health, human services or related field may substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of full‑time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of the required education.)

Deputy Public Guardians are required to register for membership in the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators (CA PAPGPC). CA PAPGPC members who are responsible for the operational oversight of cases must be certified, and accordingly, Deputy Public Guardians shall comply with the continuing education requirements that are established by the CA PAPGPC, pursuant to Probate Code Sections 2923 and 1456.20.

Knowledge of: Laws, regulations and procedures governing conservatorships, guardianships and estate administration; principles and practices of estate and financial management; practices and methods used in financial and estate investigations to determine assets including real and personal property; real property management; banking investments and other financial procedures; investigative methods used in evaluating financial, medical and social circumstances; case management techniques and care planning; community resources for medical, psychiatric and social services; court procedures related to probate, guardianship and conservatorship.

Ability to: Manage the personal and financial affairs of conservatees with sound judgment and ethical conduct; interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations and court orders related to Public Guardian and Conservator’s work, including Social Security and Medicare regulations; conduct thorough investigations and prepare accurate reports, petitions and financial accountings; testify effectively in court proceedings; communicate clearly and establish effective working relationships with conservatees, families, attorneys, service providers, and governmental agencies; work effectively with individuals who are elderly, disabled, disoriented, or otherwise vulnerable.

Other Requirements

License/ Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required and must be maintained throughout employment. County vehicles may be available but are not guaranteed. Employees may be required to use their own vehicle for field travel. Mileage reimbursement is available when using a personal vehicle for County business. Must have and maintain valid Certification as a Public Guardian by the California State Association of Public Administrator, Public Guardians, and Public Conservators (CAPAPGPC). Certification must be obtained within 4 years of hire per Section 2923 of the California Probate Code.

Recruiter Contact

Contact the recruiter, Nicole Prado: [e-mail] , [phone]. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.

Veteran’s Preference

The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Schedule, Overtime, Standby/On‑Call, and Travel Obligations

The County of Riverside offers a variety of alternative work schedules, dependent upon department operations and needs. Certain assignments may involve overtime, standby/on-call shifts, and/or travel; however, scheduling, shift assignments, overtime work, standby/on-call duty, and travel obligations are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time. Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding the schedule, overtime and standby/on-call expectations, and travel obligations.

Proof of Education

If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period

As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information

Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies. Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify