Deputy Public Guardian I/II

Kings-County; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kings County Public Guardian/Veteran's Services Office seeks qualified individuals for Deputy Public Guardian I/II. Responsibilities include reviewing clients for conservatorship or guardianship, managing a caseload of personal and financial matters, and coordinating with clinicians and agencies to ensure client safety and well-being.

Education requirements specify a bachelor's degree in psychology, social services, public administration, business administration, or related field; positions

Qualifications

• Compassionate, detail-oriented professionals to join our team.
• Demonstrated ability to review prospective clients for conservatorship or guardianship.
• Strong case management and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake/assessments to determine guardian or conservator need.
• Interview clients and families to gather information and explain legal policies.
• Secure assets and manage funds on behalf of clients.
• Coordinate with medical providers to ensure proper care and services.
• Prepare documentation and reports for Court and agencies.
• Provide training to staff and volunteers.

Skills

Compassionate

Detail-oriented

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology, social services, public administration, business administration, or related field

Job description

The Kings County Public Guardian/Veteran's Services Office is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of: Deputy Public Guardian I/II

Salary

• Level I: $53,830.40 - $65,665.60 Annually
• Level II: $59,446.40 - $72,571.20 Annually

We are seeking compassionate, detail-oriented professionals to join our team as Deputy Public Guardians. In this role, you will review prospective clients to determine eligibility for conservatorship or guardianship and manage a caseload involving both personal and financial affairs in accordance with laws and regulations. Duties include assessing client needs, ensuring responsible case management, and supporting the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals in our community.

This position offers opportunities for professional growth within the Deputy Public Guardian series, allowing individuals to develop their skills and advance to more complex responsibilities as experience is gained.

• Conducts intake/assessments for individuals to determine need for a guardian or conservator; areas of review include financial, medical, social, and psychological criteria; discusses case with physicians, behavioral health workers, probation, and other social services agencies.
• Interviews clients, families, friends, and/or neighbors to gather information; explains complex legal policies, conservatorship, financial arrangements and answers questions from clients and family members; compiles information and evidence to support the need for conservatorship and submits to County Counsel to petition for conservatorship.
• When appointed as conservator or guardian, interviews client and relatives to determine nature and location of all client assets and debts; secures assets and determines a plan to manage them on behalf of the client.
• Ensures that clients receive the correct level of care for their needs; assesses gaps in care and coordinates services to fill these gaps; communicates with medical health providers to ensure proper care.
• When acting as conservator for a client with mental disorder, discusses the client with behavioral health professionals to determine the prognosis for release; assists clients in location of housing or other placement; monitors funds for client; follows actions of client to see that they are meeting their obligations, and taking medication as directed; may recommend and assist in returning the client to a locked facility.
• Performs fiscal management and Representative Payee services for assigned clients; obtains and researches any planning and financial documents; budgets the client’s income; ensures that funds are available for rent/care and client personal needs; pays bills; works with financial institutions to marshal client assets and obtain funds; arranges for storage and/or disposition of property; processes all legal documents and procedures on behalf of clients; upon case closure, ensures the proper distribution of estate assets.
• Coordinates with attorneys to represent conservatees at judicial, administrative hearings or other legal proceedings;testifies at court hearings and jury trials.
• Assists clients in pursuing other community base resources and/or financial benefits to which they may be entitled; acts as an advocate for clients with Social Security, Medi-Cal, Veterans Service, State Disability, and other agencies; represents clients in dealing with federal, state, and local agencies and financial institutions.
• Prepares documentation outlining client interactions and communications, including services provided and service plans; prepares reports and makes recommendations for the Court, Social Security and other agencies.
• Transports or assists in the transportation of clients.
• Provides training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.

Some knowledge and abilities may be performed by positions at the entry (I) level in a learning capacity.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education and Experience

Education:

• Deputy Public Guardian I/II: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in psychology, social services, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Deputy Public Guardian I: One (1) year of experience performing professional tasks in a Public Guardian or social services or related program.
• Deputy Public Guardian II: Two (2) years of experience in social services or related program equivalent to the County's class of Deputy Public Guardian I.

Licenses and Certifications

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain certification with California Public Administrators, Public Guardians, Public Conservators Association (CAPAPGPC).

Special Requirements

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check, including a credit check; must be willing to work occasional irregular hours including evenings, nights, and weekends, including on-call rotation.

Deputy Public Guardian I

Deputy Public Guardian II

All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the selection process may include the following:

(1) Screening committee (pass/fail) and/or

(2) Written examination (pass/fail) and/or

(3) Oral examination (100%) This may include a written practical component (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.

Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.

Veteran's Preference Available Upon Request

Veteran's Preference Application

You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.

Tentative Recruitment Process

Final Date to Apply: October 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Subject Matter Expert Review: Week of October 19, 2026

Human Resources Interview: Week of November 9 & 10, 2026

Department Interview: TBD