• Job Description

  Req#: 4795020

  NOTE: This recruitment schedule was amended on May 5, 2025 from a continuous recruitment to closing. The Final Closing Date will be May 9, 2025.

  
  

  Please note: This position has been filled. Applications are no longer being accepted.

  The Aging and Adult Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of Supervising Deputy Public Guardian/Public Administrator - Aging and Adult Services.

  There is currently a vacancy in the Public Administrator program, located in San Mateo but may travel throughout and outside the County to perform duties of the position.

  Aging and Adult Services

  We provide a wide range of services to keep older adults, people with disabilities, and dependent adults living safely in the community. Services provided by the Division include centralized intake and referral, assessment and consultation, protective and supportive services, and case management. Programs include; Adult Protective Services, Public Guardian, 24-Hour Hotline, Enhanced Case Management (ECM), In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS), and Linkages. Our goal is to ensure that we deliver compassionate and financially responsible services that meet professional standards and ethics and reflect the County's statement of beliefs.

  Public Administrator Unit

  The Public Administrator manages estates and makes final arrangements for San Mateo County residents who die without a will or any known relatives able or willing to act on the decedent's behalf to manage and resolve the estate. Working through appropriate methods of probate, the Public Administrator manages the estate until proper distribution is complete. The Public Administrator’s primary responsibility is to administer estates of decedents placed under the jurisdiction of the Public Administrator, participating in the investigation, inventory, and distribution of estates subject to the CA State Probate Code. Within established guidelines, the Public Administrator applies the provisions of applicable laws, while making decisions during investigations and distribution of assets. In addition, the Public Administrator prepares court accountings for summary and regular estates, compiles financial information and preparation of tax information for personal, fiduciary and estate taxes.

  Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Plan, organize, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of Deputy Public Administrators and Office Support staff assigned to the Unit.
  • Recognize and analyze operational problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and prepare concise reports with recommendations to effect solutions.
  • Provide consultation and supervision on policies, Probate and Welfare and Institutions Code, Local Court rules and regulations, financial and legal proceedings, and complex estate issues.
  • Confers with relatives, attorneys, heirs, or other interested parties regarding the financial affairs of the estates of deceased persons.
  • Review and evaluate cases for proper documentation and conformance with procedures established by the Probate Code, Local Court Rules, and Division Policies and Procedures
  • Attend meetings, develop, and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with County staff, other units, and departments including the Coroner’s Office and County Attorney’s Office
  • Consults with County Attorney to interpret sections of State Codes, laws, and regulations pertaining to Public Administrator program matters.
  • Monitor staff’s compliance with court mandated responsibilities such as filing of court accountings and marshaling of assets.
  • Hold individual and group meetings with staff to discuss general policies, rules, or regulations.
  • Assist Division Management with recruitment and selection of staff.
  • Assist in development of policy, procedure, and training manuals as well as process improvement work for the unit with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.
  • Evaluates office systems and procedures and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the office; prepares correspondence and reports.
  • Maintains statistical workload and fiscal records for budget projections; performs quality control audits of cases assigned to Deputy Public Administrators to ensure cases are managed accurately and timely.
  • Works closely with Public Guardian staff and leadership and participates in coverage as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

  The ideal candidate will be:

  • Familiar with Probate Code, Local Court Rules, and Welfare and Institutions Code, and applicable laws and regulations relating to administration of decedent estates.
  • Familiar with rules and regulations governing eligibility and operation of financial and asset management including personal property, real property, and financial investments.
  • Knowledgeable about functions and procedures of the court system
  • Familiar with principles, policies and procedures used in heirship determination.
  • Knowledgeable about available resources and principles and techniques used in conducting estate and financial investigations to determine decedent’s' assets, including real property, and investments.
  • Familiar with supervisory principles and practices and skilled in planning, organizing, supervising, and evaluating work of assigned staff.
  • Skilled in effective communication; experienced in presenting oral and written reports.
  • Able to maintain effective, cooperative, and understanding work relationships with individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds, community partners, representatives of the court, financial institutions, and other agencies.
  • Comfortable to provide crisis assistance in sensitive and difficult cases and determines alternate courses of action as necessary.

  NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

  Knowledge of:
  

  • Principles and practices of supervision and training
  • Principles, policies and procedures used in conducting comprehensive assessments of mentally and functionally disabled person, the elderly and their families.
  • Principles, policies and procedures used in developing care plans for mentally and functionally disabled persons and the elderly.
  • Welfare and Institutions Code, Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, Probate Code and other applicable laws and regulations relating to person and estate management.
  • Regulations governing Federal Assistance, Social Security benefits, Veterans Administration benefits and other entitlements.
  • Principles and techniques used in estate and financial investigation to determine conservatees' or wards' assets, including real property, stocks, bonds and bank deposits.
  • Functions and procedures of the court system.
  • Social and community resources available.
  • Psycho-social, medical, and economic interrelationships that result in individual and social abnormalities.
  • Multi-cultural and ethnic diversity.

  
  Skill/Ability to:

  • Plan, organize, supervise, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
  • Train subordinate staff.
  • Assess problems and take appropriate action, particularly in emergency and/or difficult situations.
  • Effectively interpret departmental rules, policies and regulations.
  • Develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with County staff, service providers, collateral agencies and individuals contacted in the course of the work.
  • Work effectively with mentally and emotionally disabled persons, the elderly and their families.
  • Prepare clear, concise written reports.
  • Read, interpret, and implement complex written materials.
  • Communicate effectively, including speaking clearly and concisely.
  • Develop comprehensive case plans.

  
  Education and Experience:
  Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

  • Two years of experience in professional estate administration or investigation work.

  Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

  The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
  

  IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

  This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the County of San Mateo Human Resources Department.

  
  

  Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

  
  About the County

  San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

  The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

  The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

  
  HR Contact: Debbie Kong(01302025) (Supervising Deputy Public Administrator/Guardian-Conservator – G218)

• About the company

  San Mateo County, officially the County of San Mateo, is a county located in the US state of California.

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