Career Opportunity

Estate Investigator – Department of Disability and Aging Services - Human Services Agency (4230) (136208)

Recruitment: RTF0136207-01135456

Published: July 13, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:

• Application Opening – July 13, 2023
• Application Deadline –  July 26, 2023
• Compensation: $96,018 - $116,740 Yearly 4230-Estate Investigator | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov)  
• List ID: TEX-4230-136208; RTF0136207-01135456 
• Appointment Type:  This is a Temporary-Exempt (TEX) Category 18 Appointment and is limited to three (3) years in six (6) month increments. Temporary Exempt Appointments from Civil Service rules pursuant to San Francisco Charter Section10.104-17 serves for a limited term, at the discretion of the Appointing Officer

At the San Francisco Human Services Agency, we believe in a San Francisco where everyone has the opportunity and support to achieve their full potential.  We are comprised of the Department of Benefits and Family Support, and the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS), and are united by our commitment to deliver essential services that support and protect people, families, and communities.

From financial, nutritional and employment support to child and adult protective services, health care coverage, affordable childcare, and in-home services for older adults and persons with disabilities, our team lends support for all in need.

Our Commitment to Racial Equity

As we work towards our vision of an inclusive San Francisco, we embrace our responsibility to root out systemic racism by creating services and a workforce which reflect the lived experiences and strengths of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a work environment where our differences are celebrated and everyone has what they need to thrive--no matter their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin. Click here to learn more about what this commitment looks like in action.

Role description

Positions in this classification perform investigative work related to the fiduciary responsibilities of the Public Administrator, Public Guardian, and Representative Payee Program. Persons in this position are responsible for investigations and administering its duties under the California Probate Code, and other federal, state, or local laws. Positions in this 4230 Estate Investigator classification conducts work in one or more of three programs in the division:

1. As the conservator of person and estate in Office of the Public Guardian,
2. As the estate administrator for decedent in the Office of the Public Administrator, and/or
3. As the representative payee to manage funds from Social Security Administration and other benefits/entitlements.

Incumbents in this position will work in areas, such as conservatee’s or decedent's homes to conduct thorough searches of residence, which may have bad odors, pest infestations, garbage and other refuse, and similar unpleasant conditions. This position involves working with family members, case managers, outside agencies and other members of the public in potentially stressful situations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Position Description for Estate Investigator under the Public Guardian

Under general supervision, the Estate Investigator (also known as a Deputy Public Guardian) serves as the conservator of the person and estate and acts on behalf of the conservatee's interests.  The Estate Investigator makes decisions related to the person such as medical care and placement issues as well as manages finances. 

Essential functions include:

1. Coordinate the care of the conservatee, including the arrangement of placement and treatment, managing the income and assets of the conservatee
2. Marshal assets of the conservatee (may include managing/selling real estate, investment accounts, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, bank accounts, and other property of value)
3. Visit the conservatee at least quarterly and assure that care needs are met
4. Serve as the decision maker in medical and end-of-life decision-making for the conservatee
5. Managing level of care and placement issues when care needs change
6. Review and approve payment of monthly and/or periodic bills; makes prudent financial decisions
7. Communicate and work collaboratively with the Public Guardina legal team
8. Document activities and prepare reports for the Superior Court, and performs other duties as required

Incumbents in this position will occasionally work in areas such as conservatee's homes, that have bad odors, pest infestations, garbage and other refuse, and similar unpleasant conditions.

This position involves working with family members, case managers, outside agencies and other members of the public in stressful situations.

Incumbents may be required to lift and carry household goods weighing up to 60 pounds up and down stairs.

Position Description for Estate Investigator under the Public Administrator

Under general supervision, the Estate Investigator (also known as a Deputy Public Administrator) is responsible for decedent estate administration for individuals without family or with whom family cannot or is unwilling to manage the decedent estate. Responsibilities include investigating case, marshalling assets, identifying beneficiaries, and managing legal and estate matters for final disposition and distribution.

Essential functions may include:

1. Work with mortuaries, hospitals, and Medical Examiner’s Office on disposition of the body
2. Interview relatives and support system; perform genealogical research
3. Remove items for safe keeping from residence and/or financial instructions
4. Collect assets and manage real estate or businesses of decedent and related affairs
5. Work closely with legal team, accountant, and real estate professionals to ensure the timely and accurate performance of various duties in compliance with California laws, Probate Code, and department’s policies and procedures
6. Prepare inventory and appraisal, status reports and other court documents

Incumbents in this position will occasionally work in areas such as conservatee's homes, that have bad odors, pest infestations, garbage and other refuse, and similar unpleasant conditions.

This position involves working with family members, case managers, outside agencies and other members of the public in potentially stressful situations.

Incumbents may be required to lift and carry household goods weighing up to 60 pounds up and down stairs.

Position Description for Estate Investigator under Representative Payee

Under general supervision, the Estate Investigator performs investigative and case carrying work as per its fiduciary responsibilities as representative payee under the Public Guardian’s Office as well as working collaboratively with family members, case managers, outside agencies and other members of the public.

Essential functions may include:

1. Apply for and maintain income and benefits for a large caseload of clients
2. Work with case managers and support system to maintain benefits and eligibility
3. Review and approve payment monthly and/or periodic bills
4. Communicate with government agencies, such as Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, and other entities

This position involves working with family members, case managers, outside agencies and other members of the public.

How to qualify

1. Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; 

AND

2. Experience: One (1) year of professional experience in: Probate, Financial/ Fiduciary Services, Social Work, Case Management or investigations related to one of the above areas.  

Substitution: Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, public administration or business administration may substitute for the required education and experience.

License and Certification: Possession of a valid California Driver License

Verification of Education and Experience:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores. 

SELECTION PROCEDURES

The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements and assessment of candidates’ job-related knowledge, skills and abilities in an oral interview, which may include a written or performance exercise.

Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to continue in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements are not guaranteed advancement in the selection process. 

What else should I know?

•  Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

How to Apply

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen 

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Josephus Cassell, by telephone at (415) 439-3410 or by email at josephus.cassell@sfgov.org. 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.