Estate Property Officer - Limited-Term (Open)

Full Job Description

San Mateo County Health's Aging and Disability Services Division is seeking qualified individuals for the unclassified and limited-term position of Estate Property Officer.

Estate Property Officers (EPO) conduct inventories and store personal property entrusted to the County, and arrange for the sale and distribution of such property.

The Estate Property Officer is responsible for managing the inventory, appraisal, storage, and coordinated disposition of personal and real property belonging to frail elderly and gravely disabled individuals under the Public Guardian, as well as the estates of decedents under the Public Administrator.

This role includes preparing detailed and accurate inventories of estate property, packing and transporting household items to centralized storage, conducting appraisals to determine property value, inspecting estate homes and related structures, and coordinating necessary maintenance to preserve these assets.

The position may require working in substandard living environments and exposure to conditions such as animal waste, vermin, strong odors, and other contaminants.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Attention to Detail - Ensures accurate inventories, precise documentation, and careful handling of property, especially when working with legal records and valuables.
• Technical and Digital Proficiency - Uses computers, databases, and digital tools effectively for recordkeeping, research, and auction-related tasks.
• Material-Handling and Physical Capability - Demonstrates the ability to safely lift and move moderate to heavy items using appropriate equipment such as dollies, hand trucks, pallet jacks, and forklifts.
• Judgment and Decision-Making - Determines what property should be stored, sold, or retained; evaluates safety risks; and makes sound recommendations in complex or sensitive situations.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills - Interacts professionally with heirs, attorneys, vendors, and individuals who may be distressed, while clearly explaining policies and procedures.
• Organizational and Time-Management Skills - Manages multiple estates, storage logistics, property maintenance coordination, and deadlines with efficiency and accuracy.
• Adaptability and Environmental Tolerance -Works effectively in varied and sometimes substandard environments, including residences with odors, vermin, clutter, or hazardous conditions.

Note: This is a limited term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan.

Requirements

The Estate Property Officer will:

• Prepare detailed inventories of estate personal property.
• Lift and move moderate to heavy items using dollies, hand trucks, forklifts, and other appropriate equipment.
• Provide information to heirs, attorneys, and other interested parties regarding County policies and procedures.
• Recommend which property should remain at the estate location and which should be packed and stored centrally.
• Conduct legal document searches in residences, recover valuables, and remove hazardous substances when necessary.
• Pack and transport household items—including furniture, appliances, and dishware—to centralized storage; stack, cover, and secure property; and recover or transport evidence when required.
• Drive or arrange towing of vehicles to storage and coordinate the use of specialized trucks for oversized property.
• Sort property based on whether it should be held for heirs or disposed of according to instructions.
• Perform appraisals to estimate property value and arrange for specialized appraisals when needed.
• Arrange property displays to support sales and ensure security during proceedings; release property to authorized individuals.
• Maintain accurate records of property amounts and storage locations.
• Inspect estate homes, buildings, and facilities; clean or coordinate cleaning and maintenance; and perform general property upkeep.
• Operate specialized material-handling equipment.
• Collect rent for estate properties temporarily managed by the County.
• Explain estate-related policies and procedures to relatives or others who may be distressed or upset.
• Direct and coordinate the work of others involved in moving property or maintaining real property.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Procedures and techniques for the receipt, storage, inventory, appraisal, safeguard and disposal of personal and real property.
• Office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment such as a calculator.
• Principles and techniques for dealing with the public, occasionally when relations may be strained.
• Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Basic record keeping principles and practices.
• Basic business data processing applications.

Skill/Ability to:

• Inspect, receive, store, inventory, safeguard and dispose of various personal and real property.
• Organize and maintain accurate files and records.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, policies and procedures.
• Organize and maintain accurate records and files.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals, some of whom may be hostile or irate.
• Operate standard office equipment, including an adding machine, calculator, typewriter, and/or word processor.
• Operate material handling equipment safely.
• Direct the work of others on a project basis.
• Move furniture and materials using appropriate equipment.
• Work in hazardous or unsanitary conditions.
• Work independently using independent judgment and initiative.

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:

• One year of experience in either shipping, receiving or storing personal property and furniture, or in store keeping, property management or appraisal.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.

Additional Information

Application/Examination

If you are interested in being considered for this limited term position the following items must be submitted via e-mail:

• Cover letter with responses to Supplemental Questions (maximum of 2 pages)
• Resume

Supplemental Questions:

1. The position requires a valid California class C driver license or equivalent. Please provide your driver's license: a) class; b) number, and c) expiration date.
2. Give a detailed description of your work experience receiving, inventorying, appraising, storing and safeguarding personal and real property. Be specific.
3. Describe an experience you have had working as part of an effective team. Include your role, the goal/project, and outcome. Be specific.
4. Give a detailed description of your experience lifting or carrying bulky or heavy objects. Additionally, list any training you have had in this area. Be specific.
5. Give a detailed description of your experience operating large trucks and/or forklifts. Additionally, list any training you have had in this area. Be specific.

Please include the words "Estate Property Officer (Limited Term)" in the subject line of email submission. All submitted materials must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Please submit the above listed materials via email to:

Victoria Wright, Administrative Services Manager

Vwright@smcgov.org

Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Apply immediately. Application materials will be accepted until position is filled. This posting is open on a continuous basis and selection may be made at any time within the process.

NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (cover letter with responses to supplemental questions, Epic certifications and a resume) will not be considered.

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. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.