PUBLIC GUARDIAN

SENECA COUNTY JUVENILE AND PROBATE COURT

An Equal Opportunity Employer

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: PUBLIC GUARDIAN/DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM

FLSA STATUS: NON-EXEMPT

CIVIL SERVICE STATUS: UNCLASSIFIED

WORK SCHEDULE: 40 HOURS/WEEK (DAY SHIFT/MON-FRI)

REPORTS TO: CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK OF PROBATE COURT

PAY RATE: UP TO $27.00/HR

 

Job Responsibility:

Responsible for overall leadership and management of the Public Guardianship Program.   

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Deputy Clerk of Probate Court, the Public Guardian will follow all directives in a professional and timely manner.

The Public Guardian shall not work over 40 hours in any one week without approval from his/her supervisor or the Judge.  The Public Guardian is on 24-hour call for guardianship services.

NOTE: The following job description is not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties and/or responsibilities may be required and assigned by the Judge and/or Court Administrator.  Employees of the Court are at will employees and serve at the will of the Judge.  The Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Divisions shall have full charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of all personnel.

Court staff cannot and may not give legal advice under any circumstances.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Essential Job Functions:

• Willingness to assist others and contribute to the mission of the Court.
• Provide guardianship services for approximately 40 wards at any given time.
• Perform professional and efficient administrative/office functions of the Public Guardianship Program.
• Manage day-to-day fiscal operations, including monitoring all Program spending and keeping all non-contract service expenditures within the approved budget.

• Assist in funeral prearrangements when appropriate.
• Communicate with physicians, medical personnel, and hospitals about wards as necessary.
• Monitor medical condition, financials, personal possessions, and needs of the ward.
• Assist in determining the ward’s Medicaid eligibility.
• Inventory personal property of the ward.
• Help guide the ward with decision making.
• Obtain input from the ward’s family, when appropriate.
• Timely draft and file necessary forms/paperwork with the Court.
• Deliver and retrieve documents from the Probate Court.
• Conduct routine visits with the ward at least once per quarter.
• Be available 24 hours a day to make decisions for the benefit of the ward.
• Attend quarterly team meetings with service providers such as the Board of Developmental Disabilities, Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services, Nursing Facilities, Hospice, etc.
• Make arrangements for purchase of items for the ward when appropriate.
• Establish open and professional relationships with community-based agencies and communicate concerns in an effective and appropriate manner.
• Assure all necessary forms are filed for agency memberships, funding requests, etc.
• Research funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals.
• Submit reports and documentation as required to grantors.
• Timely provide Program bills, invoices, and requests for reimbursement to the Administrative Clerk.
• Promote the Program in the public, including by participating in speaking engagements.
• Comply with Rule 66 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio.

Non-Essential Job Functions:

• Attend various meetings and trainings.
• Perform related essential and non-essential functions as needed.
• Participate in various in-house, interagency, and community committees, as requested, including planning, development, community service, and community boards.
• Review current literature and attend conferences, meetings, and training sessions to develop professionally.

Position Qualifications:

An appropriate combination of education, training, coursework, experience, and personal characteristics ensuring the demonstration of the necessary knowledge and skills demanded in this position is required.   

Position Requirements:

Must pass pre-employment and ongoing criminal background checks and random drug screens.  Must demonstrate predictable and regular attendance.  Must be capable of self-defense.  Requires

the ability to maintain confidentiality and act ethically.  Must be detail oriented.  Must be adaptable to performing under moderate levels of stress when confronted with an emergency.  Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license and maintain liability insurance coverage as required by law.  Must assume a flexible work schedule and be available outside of normal business hours.  Work consists of complex, varied, non-standardized tasks, requiring the application of numerous laws, regulations, rules, and procedures.  Must complete all necessary training and stay abreast of any and all laws and regulations governing guardianships by participating in ongoing training.

Equipment:

Must be able to safely drive and maneuver Seneca County vehicles.  Must be able to use office equipment including, but not limited to, a computer, scanner, copier/fax machine, printer, calculator, recorder, multi-line phone and voicemail, and cellular phone.  Must be proficient at using Microsoft Office products.    

Critical Skills/Expertise:

• Exhibits strong integrity, maturity, judgment, and tact at all times.
• Exhibits excellent organizational and record keeping skills.
• Ability to be firm and assertive.
• Detail oriented.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with irate and upset persons.
• Ability to function in a stressful, fast paced environment.
• Ability to type accurately.
• Ability to work with little supervision.
• Knowledge of role and responsibilities of guardians.
• Knowledge of Rule 66 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio.
• Knowledge of the Juvenile and Probate Court Employee Handbook.
• Knowledge of Juvenile and Probate Court policies and procedures/local Court rules.
• Knowledge of the Rules of Superintendence of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
• Knowledge of the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative Code.
• Ability to maintain good public relations and working relationships on all levels as a representative of the Court.
• Values and appreciates appointed wards and their families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Relationships with Others:

Requires positive contact with wards and their families, as well as with co-workers, employees in the department, public and private sector employees, Court and law enforcement personnel, legal representatives, and the general public. 

 

Physical Effort and Work Environment:

The following physical demands are typically exhibited by position incumbents performing this job’s essential duties and responsibilities.  These physical demands are not, and should not be construed to be job qualification standards, but are illustrated to help the employer, employee and/or applicant identify tasks that are required by the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and potential physical harm by hostile individuals.
• Must maintain required physical and mental condition to perform all prescribed duties, including administering CPR, AED, and first aid, as well as being physically capable of responding to resistance and aggression and emergency response.
• Work involves a significant amount of sitting, talking, listening and reaching with hands and arms.
• Ability to reach into file drawers in standard four-drawer filing cabinets.
• Must be able to work under stressful and sometimes dangerous conditions.
• Must be able to perform work which includes running, climbing, carrying, pushing, pulling, and lifting a minimum of 25 pounds.
• Exposed to general office chemicals and air contaminants; works in or around crowds, has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons, has exposure to threatening situations.

Please submit applications, cover letters, and resumes to Dana Eborg, Chief Deputy for Probate Court (danae@senecajpcourt.com).