Deputy Public Guardian Conservatorship Investigator III-Aging and Disability Services (Open & Promo)

Full Job Description

The Aging and Disability Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking a thoughtful and driven professional to serve as a Deputy Public Guardian Conservatorship Investigator III, helping protect and support vulnerable adults across the community.

The Deputy Public Guardian Conservatorship Investigator III (DPG III) is part of the Probate Conservatorship Investigation team within the Public Guardian/Public Conservatorship program.

This program serves older adults and adults with disabilities who, due to cognitive or developmental conditions, are unable to safely manage their personal care or finances.

In this role, you will conduct comprehensive investigations to determine whether conservatorship is necessary, always prioritizing less restrictive alternatives.

Conservatorship is a significant legal intervention that limits an individual’s rights and is pursued only as a last resort.

Investigations take a holistic view of each person’s circumstances, including health, safety, finances, and support systems.

This position is based in San Mateo and includes regular fieldwork, including visits to homes, hospitals, and care facilities. The role reports to the Supervising Deputy Public Guardian.

DPG III staff manage complex, high-liability cases, prepare detailed court reports, and may testify in court. They also provide lead direction, mentorship, and training to other staff and serve as key liaisons with legal partners, community agencies, and service providers.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough investigations to assess the need for conservatorship, gathering information from medical, financial, legal, and community sources
• Evaluate clients’ physical, mental, financial, and social needs
• Identify, verify, and document income, assets, liabilities, and property
• Develop and continuously update comprehensive care plans
• Interview and collaborate with clients, families, and collateral contacts
• Partner with community agencies and service providers to coordinate care and resources
• Prepare detailed, legally defensible court reports, petitions, and documentation
• Work closely with County Counsel and legal professionals
• Testify in court regarding investigative findings and recommendations
• Provide guidance, training, and lead support to staff
• Manage complex and high-risk cases with significant client or County impact
• Conduct field visits and respond to urgent or emergency situations as needed

The Ideal Candidate is a compassionate and analytical professional who brings strong investigative skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to protecting vulnerable adults while preserving their dignity and rights.

They will demonstrate the ability to:

• Navigate complex, sensitive situations with professionalism, empathy, and discretion
• Analyze medical, financial, and social information to make well-informed recommendations
• Advocate for clients while ensuring conservatorship is used only when necessary
• Develop thoughtful, person-centered care plans that adapt to changing needs
• Communicate clearly and effectively in both written reports and court settings
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, including legal, medical, and community partners
• Manage competing priorities and high caseloads with strong organizational skills
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to peers
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team

Additionally, the ideal candidate will have:

• Experience coordinating care and managing the financial affairs of older adults or individuals with disabilities
• Knowledge of public benefits (e.g., Social Security, Veterans benefits, and other entitlements)
• Strong understanding of estate and asset management principles
• A valid driver’s license and ability to perform field-based work

Qualifications

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:

• Three years of experience coordinating the care and managing the income and assets of frail elderly and gravely disabled persons.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of leadwork.
• Principles, policies and procedures used in conducting comprehensive assessments of mentally and functionally disabled persons, 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:

• Train employees
• Assess problems and take appropriate action, particularly in emergencies and/or difficult situations.
• Develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with County staff, service providers, assigned agencies, and individuals contacted in the course of the work.
• Work effectively with mentally and emotionally disabled persons, the elderly and their families.
• Maintain complete and accurate case records.
• Prepare clear, concise written reports.
• Read, interpret, and implement complex written materials.
• Communicate effectively, including speaking clearly and concisely.
• Develop and implement comprehensive case plans.
• Organize and manage large volumes of paperwork.
• Respond immediately to client needs in the home and/or institutional settings.

Additional Information

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, and 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 (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 San Mateo County, 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.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
Final Filing Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026, by 11:59PM PST
Application Screening: Week of April 20, 2026
Panel Interviews: Week of May 18, 2026

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 in order 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. We seek to hire, support and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.
We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.