Deputy Public Guardian

Ruhealth; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health seeks Deputy Public Guardian to manage conservatorship and guardianship cases across Riverside County. The role involves safeguarding assets, coordinating medical and social services, and ensuring compliance with court orders.

The position requires extensive case management, reporting to supervisory staff, and travel throughout the county. A bachelor’s degree and CA PAPGPC certification are preferred; driving is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, public/business administration, finance, accounting, social services or related field.
• Registration or eligibility for CA PAPGPC required; continuing education per Probate Code.
• Experience with conservatorship/guardianship preferred; driving/county travel expected.

Responsibilities

• Investigate financial, medical, and social circumstances to determine conservatorship eligibility.
• Oversee estates: locate, safeguard, inventory property and assets.
• Coordinate benefits (public assistance, Medi‑Cal, pensions) for conservatees.
• Prepare investigation reports and coordinate with relatives, attorneys, banks.
• Manage payments, mortgages, taxes and other obligations for estates.
• Coordinate services (medical, legal, social) for caseloads.
• Develop and monitor care plans ensuring appropriate medical care.
• Travel throughout Riverside County to court hearings and placements.
• Maintain case files and ensure compliance with legal standards.

Skills

Investigations

Case management

Legal knowledge

Court testimony

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CA PAPGPC certification

Job description

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

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (may include but not limited to):

• 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.

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.