Deputy Public Guardian-Conservator - Ventura County Behavioral Health

Deputy Public Guardian-Conservator - Ventura County Behavioral Health

Salary

$55,158.76 - $77,153.91 Annually

Location

Oxnard, and may be required to travel throughout Ventura County, CA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

0548HCA-26AA (NW)

Department

Health Care Agency

Division

Behavioral/Mental Health

Opening Date

07/01/2026

Closing Date

7/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under general supervision, performs social and fiscal case management for clients under the conservatorship; and administers the estates of and provides legal supervision over disabled, legally incompetent, or disoriented persons.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelors degree in human services, public health, mental health, or a related field, and experience providing direct services to vulnerable populations. They will demonstrate strong case management, investigative, and organizational skills, with the ability to assess complex personal, social, and financial situations. The successful candidate will be proficient in preparing court-related documentation, managing detailed records, coordinating services and benefits, and safeguarding the wellbeing and assets of conservatees. Strong communication skills, sound judgment, computer proficiency, and the ability to obtain required professional certification are essential.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associates, Bachelors, or Masters degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon organizational need and certification of skill.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Health Care Agency - Ventura County Behavioral Health

Deputy Public Guardian-Conservator is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: 7/1/26

CLOSING DATE: 7/16/26 at 5:00 p.m.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Investigates and assesses the mental functioning and social background of persons referred for conservatorship as legally incompetent wards of the Public Guardian; determines whether guardianship or conservatorship is appropriate under the applicable laws and makes recommendations to the Court;
• Coordinates physical care and monitors custody of clients not capable of providing for their own wellbeing;
• Manages notes, mortgages, insurance premiums, and the operations of businesses owned by the ward or conservatee;
• Applies for benefits to which the ward or conservatee is entitled, such as insurance, welfare payments, social security, and veterans benefits;
• Protects the estates from exploitation and oversees the finances of the conservatee; develops a financial plan for the maintenance needs; and reviews claims against assets;
• Prepares case documentation, correspondence, financial records, reports, legal forms, and related paperwork for courts and conservatorship cases; uses email and internet; maintains computer databases and assures safekeeping of electronic records and files;
• Conducts detailed investigations into the estates of these persons to discover and protect assets including locating and identifying wills, heirs, and/or next of kin;
• Verifies assets and submits to third-party for appraisal;
• Recovers, secures, appraises, and arranges for sale of real and personal property;
• Conducts title searches and verifies vesting titles in grand deeds;
• Maintains frequent contact with clients to provide social services;
• Assists in marshalling estate assets;
• Works cooperatively with management, County Counsel, and other professionals to prepare for trials and other hearings;
• May testify in court, provides reports to the court on quality of care and needs of the client;
• Assists with transportation for clients to court hearings and other appointments; often travel to other counties including overnight stays as necessary; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Possession of a bachelors degree in a field related to human services, public health, mental health and one (1) year experience providing direct client service in human services, public health and mental health or other closely related experience.

Substitution: Related experience as noted above may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. as may be needed to move boxes, records, etc.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain certification requirements established by the California State Association of the Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators within 18 months of employment.
• Must be computer proficient.

DESIRED

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Effective communication skills and techniques
• Research methods, investigative techniques, and basic interviewing principles
• Basic concepts involved in personal wills, insurance policies, and deeds or contracts
• Principles and methods used in estate and financial investigation
• Laws and regulations related to conservatorship;, banking and other financial procedures
• Intermediate math skills

Working ability to:

• Read and interpret laws, regulations, codes, reports, and summaries pertaining to the position
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with disabled and disoriented persons under stressful conditions
• Prepare clear and concise reports and maintain accurate financial and electronic case work records
• Deal courteously and tactfully with distraught persons
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds in adverse situations which require sensitivity tact, and diplomacy
• drive a vehicle safety

Ability to learn:

• How to use investigative techniques to locate assets, liabilities, relatives, and heirs
• Interpret, explain, and apply laws and regulations related to conservatorship, including the Probate Code, Welfare & Institutions Codes, and court procedures

Supplemental Information: May be exposed to hostile witnesses and hazardous situations and locations while completing assignments. May be exposed to sick, disabled, hostile, uncooperative, or mentally unstable clients/relatives.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

To apply online, please refer to our website at www.ventura.org/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying

All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicants qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION SCREENING - qualifying

All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: An un-proctored, on-line, internet-based job-related written examination will be conducted to test applicants knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to Reading Comprehension, Language Skills, Interpersonal Skills, and Math Skills. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Nathan Wood by e-mail at nathan.wood@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 677-5232.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQs
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS

01

Please detail your experience providing direct client service in human services, public health, and/or mental health or other closely related experience. In your response, please include the following: A) Name of employer(s) B) Position Title(s) and time frame C) Description of duties performed If you do not have this experience, please state "No Experience."

02

Do you currently possess and are you able to maintain a valid California driver license as a condition of continued employment?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you willing and able to operate a County vehicle during the course of employment?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you willing and able to lift up to 25 lbs, and move boxes, records, etc?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you able to obtain and maintain certification requirements established by the California State Association of the Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators within 18 months of employment?

• Yes
• No

06

What is your current your level of proficiency using a computer?

• No Experience
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Advanced

07

Describe the various software applications you have utilized. In your response, please include the following: A) Examples of types of documents you have created B) Years of experience with the software application(s) If you do not have this experience, please state "No Experience."

08

Describe your experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals with disabilities and disoriented individuals, particularly in stressful situations. How did you adapt your approach to ensure effective communication and support? If you do not have this experience, please state "No Experience."

09

Please provide an example of a time when you had to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse culture backgrounds in a sensitive or challenging situation. If you do not have this experience, please state "No Experience."

10

Are you bilingual (English/Spanish)?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Ventura County

Address 800 S. Victoria Avenue

LOC. #1970

Ventura, California, 93009

Phone (805) 654-5129

Website http://hr.venturacounty.gov