Senior Deputy Public Guardian​/Emergency Appointments Homelessness

Overview

The LA County Department of Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates for emergency Senior Deputy Public Guardian vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. During the initial period, performance is assessed.

Those who pass the assessment may be considered for permanent appointment to Senior Deputy Public Guardian.

Type Of Recruitment
: OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

Exam Number
: b1497C-EA

Filing Start Date
:
The application filing period will begin on January 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (PT). This examination will remain open until the need of the service is met and may close without prior notice. The County has declared a local state of emergency for homelessness and is expanding its response.

• Develops care plans for the most complex clients in collaboration with the treatment team, and ensures that plans are properly implemented and monitored.
• Determines and authorizes appropriate living arrangements; arranges for and authorizes physical, mental health, and substance use treatments, including authority to require involuntary placement and treatment.
• Investigates the social, medical, and financial background of individuals referred for conservatorship or guardianship, including interviewing prospective conservatees and wards, their relatives, neighbors, landlords, treatment providers, police, and others to assess service needs and determine eligibility.
• Conducts investigations to determine whether LPS or Murphy conservatorship is appropriate for justice-involved individuals in forensic cases.
• Makes regular visits to clients to assess the quality of care and coordinate personal services.
• Establishes and monitors budgets and authorizes expenditures of funds to meet conservatee needs.
• Locates, safeguards, inventories, and arranges appraisals of known assets and prepares court documents to notify that assets are properly marshaled and protected.
• Identifies financial resources to meet conserved client's needs and maintains benefits and income sources.
• Negotiates debt collection, secures property, procures health insurance coverage, and authorizes expenditures for conserved clients.
• Notifies family members of conservatee deaths and arranges funerals per cultural and faith-based requirements.
• Prepares and negotiates pre-need funeral and burial arrangements, ensuring alignment with cultural practices and resources.
• Prepares and assists County Counsel in petitions for conservatorship; prepares annual court reports and responds to court inquiries; testifies in court on related matters.
• Ensures timely entry of documentation related to conservatorships, guardian ships and trusts; serves as Court Deputy in the Mental Health Court; and serves as Private Conservator Liaison.
• Travels out of county in a personal vehicle for periodic visits and annual reviews.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:

• OPTION I:
  Two years as a Deputy Public Guardian in Los Angeles County, or
• OPTION II
  : A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social sciences, behavioral sciences, business administration, or accounting or a closely-related field, and three years of experience administering conservatorships, guardian ships or trusts in a public agency. A Master’s Degree may substitute for one year of the required experience.

You MUST meet the above requirements at the time of filing.

Specialty Requirements

• Certification from the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators. Members must be in good standing.
• Ability to use a personal vehicle to travel within and outside the county for visits and investigations.

License
: A valid California Class C Driver License.

Physical Class
: II – Light:
Includes administrative/clerical work with occasional light lifting up to 10 pounds and possible ambulation.

• Deputy Public Guardian administers conservatorships, guardian ships and trusts as referred to and under the Office of the Public Guardian.
• To receive credit for college courses or degrees, you must include legible copies of official diplomas/transcripts with your application or within 7 calendar days, and email documentation to Examsounty.gov with your name and Senior Deputy Public Guardian, b1497C-EA.

Official transcripts must show graduation date and degree conferral; documents should be in English or translated for equivalency. See provided links for standards.

• Examination Content
  :
  Initial performance evaluation; those who pass may be considered for permanent appointment.
• Application And Filing Information
  :
  Applications filed online; ongoing review for interview; notifications sent electronically; verify email address; plan to submit early.
• Social Security Number is required for record control purposes.
• Public library computer access…