Associate Public Guardian

Responsibilities include assisting in expediting benefits to entitled eligible individuals; conducting intake interviews and providing counseling to a caseload of clients; investigating the financial, psychological, family and social histories of referred individuals; arranging for client services and housing; conducting home and facility visits and inspections; assuring care and treatment best-suited to the clients' interests; recommending action based on informed consent for medical, surgical and hospitalization; and all other responsibilities as required by the type of guardianship identified. Will work with various private and public organizations for the purpose of developing local resources. Responsible for estate management and sound personal and financial management to ensure the most appropriate level and highest quality of care of person and property. Will prepare comprehensive personal and financial court reports, maintain case records, ensure clients' bills are paid; attend court hearings as appropriate; and collect data and statistics as required. Ability to work from home will be required and extensive independent travel may be required.  

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:  Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a focus on social work, counseling, psychology, gerontology, related behavioral science, or client support business services and at least two years' experience in a discipline pertinent to the provision of guardianship and conservatorship services which must include decision-making judgment for the benefit of others in the area of legal, guidance and counseling, healthcare, probation and parole, public administration with a focus on developmental disabilities, and/or persons with disruptive behaviors. Equivalent education or experience will be considered.

All educational credits must be granted from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Preferred Qualifications: J.D. or Ph.D.; or Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Gerontology or related behavioral science or equivalent advanced degree which includes a supervised field placement providing social casework or counseling services to elderly, vulnerable or dependent adults.

Other:  No felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude. Possess a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or alternate means of transportation. Excellent credit history; highest personal and professional references that would support a court finding of suitability to qualify for appointment as a guardian and conservator. In order to serve as Guardian/Conservator in Nebraska the individual chosen for the position is required to have an extensive background check conducted to include Credit Report, Sex Offender Registry, Criminal History and Abuse, Neglect Registry.  All areas will be reviewed during the application process and will be kept confidential. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Outstanding analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to think logically and arrive at sound conclusions; able to project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations; exercise appropriate judgment, answering questions and releasing information;

• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and accomplish multiple projects simultaneously, take prompt action to achieve objectives as well as identify issues as they arise and address them proactively;

• Working knowledge of the Office of Public Guardian goals, objectives, and statutory requirements;

• Ability to read, understand and learn to interpret documents used in financial and estate management (e.g. contracts, wills, trusts, insurance policies, tax returns, stocks, bonds, promissory notes and other legal documents) and in real property transactions (e.g. deeds, payment records, rental receipts);

• Working knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology and the symptoms or behavior patterns of persons with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and psychiatric problems; ability to research medical issues to facilitate decisions and care plans; and insight to know when to engage second opinions and wider professional team involvement;

• Working knowledge of community systems and services and the appropriate utilization for referral and placement of minors, the elderly, people with mental illness, and individuals with developmental disabilities;

• Basic knowledge of federal and state disability, medical, mental health, estate management, social security, economic assistance, and veteran laws and procedures;

• Knowledge of principles of social work, sociology and psychology; crisis intervention techniques and principles; casework management methods, organize and prioritize personal/estate case management tasks and assignments;

• Ability to utilize personal computer programs and word processing applications; input and retrieve data and information stored in computerized record systems; learn a variety of computer programs;

• Ability to coordinate guardianship/conservatorship case management efforts with other public and/or non-profit agencies involved in client cases and effectively interact with other professionals (lawyers, social work, and health care);

• Ability to prepare clear, concise written communications and comprehensive office and court reports; maintain complete and accurate case information and trust/estate case records;

• Ability to communicate effectively with clients who are physically or mentally incapacitated; exercise tact and diplomacy with persons under emotional stress or with people who have cognitive disabilities, are hostile, or uncooperative; work effectively with persons from varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds;

• Must be able to be flexible and work well under pressure; maintain a calm and professional performance while operating under time constraints; work independently with minimum supervision.

HIRING RATE (during probation):  $55,619.39 per year

MINIMUM RATE (after probation):  $57,009.87 per year

CLOSING DATE:  Open until filled.

External Candidates – Please visit https://statejobs.nebraska.gov to complete a State application.

Any Current State of Nebraska Employee: apply via Jobs Hub through Workday, here: https://www.myworkday.com/son/d/task/2998$42366.htmld#backheader=true

The Judicial Branch values our employees as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We recruit, hire, train and promote in all job qualifications at all levels without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or genetics. The Judicial Branch complies with Veterans Preference Laws.