The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Office of Guardianship Services (OGS), employs the Guardianship Specialist (GS) position. This position provides 24/7 service coordination and oversight for its consumers. The GS’s main responsibility is to continuously assess and determine whether or not guardianship is the most appropriate and least restrictive alternative necessary to ensure the consumer’s health and safety. With the support of regional HHS attorneys, this position prepares legal documents for filing with the court, testifies in court hearings related to guardianship, and prepares documents to be used during the referral phase of the guardianship process. Once appointed as legal guardian via a court with probate authority, this position becomes responsible for all aspects of the consumer’s life in accordance to the limits as described within the guardianship court order. This includes making placement decisions for the consumer, handling and arranging on-going medical treatment and care, facilitating educational efforts if applicable, and making life and death decisions. This position may also be responsible for handling all of the consumer’s financial affairs, including establishing bank accounts, paying the consumer’s bills, selling property, and establishing trusts, as appropriate. This position interacts routinely with internal and external stakeholders, which includes HHSC staff, Adult and Child Protective Services, judges and court personnel, attorneys, providers and professionals within the community, and also the general public. This position reports directly to the Guardianship Supervisor (GSS).

WHY WORK FOR HHSC?
The Guardianship Program with Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) is responsible for protecting the elderly and individual with developmental/intellectual disabilities who have been abused, neglected, and/or exploited.

HHSC Guardianship Program is not only a qualifying organization for the Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments, but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. An additional benefit you will receive is 12 days of paid annual leave, 12 sick days, and the potential to earn up to four days of administrative leave each year. Your annual paid leave accrual increases as your tenure increases.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

1.Assesses the need for guardianship; explores and/or identifies least restrictive alternatives; completes assessment timely; assumes care, control and protection of the ward; contacts the ward monthly; arranges for shelter and basic health and safety needs; provides oversight of medical and psychiatric care and arranges for education, training, rehabilitation and social services; monitors facility trust funds; uses Guardianship Emergency Client Services (GECS) funds per policy; assesses continued need for guardianship. (40%)

2. Effectively documents monthly status contacts with wards; develops plans of services, various correspondences and other required documentation using the agency data management system; documents all contacts with collaterals and consultations with all agency staff - i.e. GSS, ROM, RA, State Office staff. (30%)

3. Maintains professional and effective working relationships with court staff, agency attorneys and all other legal staff; communicates with legal in coordination, completion, and filing of all legal documents required; regularly consults with legal to determine best course of legal action; attends court hearings and provides professional testimony. (20%)

4.
Manages the estate of the ward when applicable, as ordered by the court, and ensures all legal, financial and ethical laws and policies are followed. (10%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to performance in this position:

Knowledge of federal and state law, regulations, policies, and rules relating to guardianship in the State of Texas;

Knowledge of Texas Health and Human Services policies and procedures;

Knowledge of community services and resources for consumers under guardianship;

Working knowledge of service plan development, specifically related to the aging and/or disabled population;

Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders;

Ability to communicate and work with the aging population and persons with disabilities;

Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, complex information to a variety of individuals or groups;

Ability to develop professional reports and/or presentations utilizing Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint;

Ability to prepare legal documents under the direction of the regional attorneys;

Ability to testify in court on behalf of agency;

Skilled with operating a computer and other common office equipment, such as a copier, printer, fax machine, etc.

Ability to type and upload data into an on-line computer database on a daily basis.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: To provide guardianship services in Texas, employees must meet and maintain all standards set by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) and be certified by the JBCC within the first year of employment.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Ability to travel up to 75%
Must be able and willing to work on-call and outside of regular business hours, including nights and weekends
A minimum of 2 years of professional case management experience
A minimum of two years of experience in interpretation or analysis of state or federal regulations
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Must have a valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED CRITERIA
A minimum of one year experience with the elderly and/or disabled population
Certified as a guardian with the Judicial Branch Certification Commission

Additional Information:
Req 561269
Resumes will not be accepted.
Interviewee selection is based on applicant demonstrating a clear match to all criteria within summary of experience. Preference is given to those applicants matching the majority of preferred criteria. Applicants must be able and willing to utilize their personal vehicle to conduct agency business, maintain a valid driver’s license, and possess and maintain state-required levels of personal motor vehicle insurance. Applicants must be able and willing to submit to, and successfully pass, Federal and State criminal background checks. Applicants must complete an assessment upon submission of their application.

To provide guardianship services in Texas, employees must meet and maintain all standards set by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) and be certified by the JBCC within the first year of employment. As part of this process, employees must pass a FBI-based criminal fingerprint check through the JBCC. HHSC Office of Guardianship Services also conducts an initial, and then annual, State name-based criminal background check for purposes of employment which employees must also pass. A valid driver's license is required.

I understand that employment for this position is contingent upon passing the Judicial Branch Certification Commission, JBCC, exam within one year of employment and maintaining the certification. I must pay for this and will be reimbursed by the HHSC, Office of Guardianship Program.

MOS Code:
There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

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HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.