Public Guardian

**This is an on-site position. Remote workers will NOT be considered.**

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is highly a responsible grant funded position involving monitoring and coordinating the care of persons/wards under the guardianship of the St. Thomas University d/b/a Office of the Public Guardian located in Broward County. A person in this class serves as an advocate to the most vulnerable adults in the community and performs a variety of tasks requiring knowledge of guardianship law, social work practice, and student intern supervision. Local travel and field work throughout the area of assigned responsibility is required.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1 . Adhere to Florida Statute 744 and 765 in the provision of guardianship services by

Providing case management services to assigned clients to include face-to-face monthly visits at clients' residence/facility.

Coordinating the development of 6-month reports, initial and annual plans on all clients to assure that all clients receive all services and benefits that they are entitled to receive.

Attend and actively participate in care plans and support plan meetings to ensure that clients receive all services and benefits that they are entitled to receive.

Locating and developing community resources available to meet client needs. Conduct ongoing evaluations to monitor client progress and needs.

Analyzing data to measure the effectiveness of community programs and/or services to meet client needs and identify the resources or adjustments necessary for effectiveness of program or services.

Appearing in Court and presenting recommendations to the Circuit Court Judge and adhering to orders issued by the judge.

Developing monitoring and compliance reviews as well as quality assurance techniques to measure quality and appropriateness of service delivery.

Recommending dispositional alternatives for various cases as necessary.

Serving on-call duty as scheduled by executive director. May be cross-trained and perform other related duties incidental to work described herein.

Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records in accordance with Florida Statute

2. Performs all guardianship duties, including coordination and collaboration for service provision by:

Following policies and procedures of the agency related to reporting, court compliance and documentation.

Providing liaison with institutional and facility staff, medical staff, and various social service organizations to effectively meet client needs.

Communicating detailed information via various types of secure communication formats to representatives of the Department of Children and Families, Social Security, Veterans Administration, as well as authorizes and consents to entitlement related functions. Responsible for all aspects of ward entitlement applications and maintenance including applications for Medicaid, Social Security and SSI benefits.

Monitoring, tracking, and performing DCF interviews and redetermination requirements as needed and collaborates with Financial Specialist and Paralegal in this area.

Completing required initial guardianship intake and preguardianship assessment to determine whether a referral is appropriate for the services of the Office of the Public Guardian.

Completing required initial social, legal, and medical investigative work relating to court cases.

Performing other related duties incidental to work described herein.

Attending all required case reviews, staff meetings, staff trainings, and consultations

Provide mentoring and related training to newly hired social work colleagues at the Public Guardian's office.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in Social Work or related field required.

Minimum of 1-3 years' work experience.

Working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to use in varied situations.

Detail oriented with ability to multi-task.

Advanced critical thinking skills.

Assumes responsibility readily, seeking out issues and areas needing resolution and development.

Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Guardianship Data Base

Able to work with a minimum of supervision exercising good judgment to make decisions.

Able to draft correspondence/memos, revise legal templates, and interpret guardianship statutes.

Knowledge of Florida Guardianship Statute 744.

Possesses a high level of integrity and inter personal skill necessary for dealing with all levels of the public, Probate Judges, court personnel, representatives from SSA, VA, DCF, Financial Institutions, family member/friends of wards, and facilities where OPG wards reside.

Must pass a background and a credit check (prior to being hired) reviewed and monitored by the Statewide Office of the Public and Professional Guardianship and by the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Must complete the 40-Hour Guardianship class and pass the state Guardianship exam within one year of employment.

Tuition Benefit

After 1 year of continuous full‐time service, employees are eligible to enroll in STU’s bachelor and master courses, tuition‐free. The program will cover a maximum timeframe of 125% of credit hours attempted toward the degree program. Employees may enroll in STU’s doctoral program, with a 40% tuition discount, under the same conditions.

Catholic Identity

St. Thomas University is a Catholic university sponsored by the Archdiocese of Miami committed to academic and professional success guided by its Catholic identity. All employees are therefore expected to respect the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and support the University’s religious mission. All employees hereby acknowledge their familiarity and support of the religious affiliation, mission and values of St. Thomas University.

Equal Employment Opportunity

St. Thomas University is an equal opportunity employer that promotes a diverse and inclusive organization. It is the policy of the University to fill each vacancy with the candidate who represents the best fit for the position and to promote and transfer employees from within whenever possible and practical. Employment decisions are made on the basis of the candidate’s personal capabilities, qualifications, and ability to assist the University in fulfilling its mission without discrimination. With regard to the latter, the University’s program of recruiting employees for mission aims to inform prospective employees of the University’s mission and to help them and hiring personnel determine how they will support and contribute to the University’s mission.

E-Verify

St. Thomas University is an E-Verify® Employer. E-Verify® is an Internet-based system that allows an employer, using information reported on an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to determine the eligibility of that employee to work in the United States. STU will utilize E-Verify® to verify employment eligibility for all newly hired employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Miami Gardens, FL 33054: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• Public Guardian: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: One location