Public Guardian / Veteran's Service Officer

Public Guardian / Veteran's Service Officer $120,000.00 - $168,000.00 Annually (Depending on Qualifications)

The County of Kings is seeking a qualified and dedicated professional to provide leadership and oversight for the Public Guardian and Veterans Services Office. This position is responsible for administering programs that protect and support vulnerable residents and veterans, developing and implementing departmental policies and goals, and fostering effective collaboration with County departments, outside agencies, and the community. This is an exciting opportunity to combine leadership, compassion, and innovation to make a lasting impact in Kings County.

For detailed information about the position, click here. To discover what makes Kings County a great place to live and work, click here to watch a short video.

MANAGEMENT GROUP I BENEFITS

Position includes Management Group I benefits : CalPERS retirement (plan and tier placement determined at benefits selection) and fully paid PPO health, dental, vision, and chiropractic insurance for employees and eligible dependents. Employees are also eligible for the Deferred Compensation Plan, with the County contributing one dollar for every three dollars contributed by the employee, up to $3,500 per year. Vacation accrual ranges from 12 to 20 days per year, based on years of service; the County Administrative Officer may authorize an adjusted accrual rate for employees hired from other public agencies to reflect prior service. The position also includes 80 hours of management leave (pro-rated upon hire date), which may be cashed out at the employee's option. Employees receive 12.5 scheduled paid holidays per year, plus an additional 3.5 days when the County participates in holiday closures, and 10 to 12 days of accrued sick leave per year with unlimited accrual. Other benefits include $50,000 term life insurance and access to the onsite Health Center Monday through Friday for employees and eligible dependents, without the need to use sick or other leave for personal appointments. Longevity pay is available after 10 and 20 years of service.

For complete benefit details, see Section V of the Salary Resolution. You can also click here to watch a brief video showcasing the exceptional benefits available to our employees.

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL

The Public Guardian / Veterans Service Officer is an "at-will" position, exempt from merit system status. As such, the incumbent is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the County Administrative Officer.

PROFESSIONAL RESUME REQUIRED

A professional resume is required and must be submitted with your application. If a resume is not attached, applications will be considered incomplete. Attaching a resume is not a substitute for completing the application.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Public Guardian and Veterans Services Offices programs, services, and activities including public guardian, conservator, and representative payee programs and veterans' services and benefit programs.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Department; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department's budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs Department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Monitors and implements legal, regulatory, technology and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine County needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• Conducts the full range of case management duties on the most complex and / or highly sensitive guardianship or conservatorship cases.
• Reviews staff work to ensure that individual cases are handled in the least restrictive way and that legal mandates are met.
• Prepares court documents and testifies in court regarding the recommendation to be appointed guardian or conservator; works with County Counsel on other legal matters.
• Supervises the counseling and assisting of veterans and their dependents in submitting claims under state and federal programs and establishes procedures for referring veterans' claims to state and federal government agencies.
• Prepares, reviews, approves and submits semi-annual subvention funding documentation to California Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with veterans' groups and community organizations to further the veterans' service program and addresses groups regarding veterans' services.
• Represents the department to other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Supervisors and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public guardianship and veterans' services.
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the County Administrator.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; serves as a spokesperson for the Department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Please note : Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education :

Experience :

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses :

Certifications :

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint including a credit check; must be willing to work occasional irregular hours including evenings, nights, and weekends.

For a complete description of duties and qualifications, view the detailed job specification here. In addition to the application, applicants are required to submit a professional resume outlining relevant education and experience. This resume must be attached to your application. You must scan and attach your resume to your online application prior to submitting your application (or your application may be rejected). For more information on how to add attachments to your application, click here.

All application materials submitted will be evaluated and screened. Final candidates will be interviewed by the County Executive Officer. Finalists will be expected to provide three professional references. A background investigation will be required for all final candidates. Job offers will be conditional upon passing a drug screening test as well as DOJ Live Scan fingerprinting.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Veteran's Preference Application. Must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Final Date to Apply : November 17, 2025 at 5 : 00 p.m.

Human Resources Interview : Week of December 1, 2025

Administrative Office Interview : Week of December 10, 2025

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