As a PG 1 you do not carry a caseload of your own or have signatory authority in matters. You learn the discrete tasks a Public Guardian must carry out to serve the clients by being trained to complete the tasks at the direction of PG 2’s and 3’s with an eye towards promoting to the PG 2 position.

Public Guardians do not act in a direct service providing capacity but provide surrogate or substitute decision-making in areas of the client’s lives throughout the term of the court appointment, depending on the specific circumstances of each case. These areas include medical and mental health care, vocational training and education, residential placement, choice of service providers, and protection of legal rights and human rights.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) provides legal advocacy and guardianship services to vulnerable Alaskans throughout Alaska out of four separate offices. OPA also advocates for abused and neglected children in protective proceedings, provides attorney services for respondents in adult guardianship proceedings for parents in Child in Need of Aid cases, and for conflict criminal cases received from the Public Defender Agency in other units within the Agency.

The Office of Public Advocacy Public Guardian Unit consists of approximately 25 Public Guardians divided into 3 teams and a benefits team who are all committed to providing services to vulnerable Alaskans. We embrace the mission of helping those who are unable to help themselves. You will become part a team who takes pride in what they do and feel the rewarding benefits of knowing they are making a difference in their clients’ lives. The Public Guardian Section is a close-knit unit. The Statewide unit is divided into a three-team structure plus a benefits team, all led by a Supervising Public Guardian. Each geographical office has various support staff providing task support in a congenial, hard-working environment. The Public Guardian Section of OPA is a fast-paced environment made up of individuals who care deeply about our responsibilities to the wards to whom we are appointed. We are the appointment of last resort for these vulnerable adults and a place where compassion and problem solving are needed to meet our obligations to some of Alaska’s most vulnerable adults.
Specia l Note:

• Frequent travel around the state may be required.
  
• Valid driver's license is required.
• incumbent will be expected to obtain certification as registered guardian by the National Guardian Foundation within one year of appointment to the Public Guardian 2 position.

Minimum Qualifications

PF03A1 – Public Guardian 1

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. Has experience effectively dealing with children, adults, or persons with a mental illness, developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, age-related dementia, or other form of disability.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

Educational coursework or training in a social science, behavioral science, guidance or counseling, or a closely related field and/or experience such as coordinating or providing social or legal services information or referrals to the public; coordinating or facilitating child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probationary services; providing care or services to delinquent or incapacitated persons.

PF03A2 – Public Guardian 2

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. Has experience effectively dealing with children, adults, or persons with a mental illness, developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, age-related dementia, or other form of disability.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one’s job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

Educational coursework or training in a social science, behavioral science, guidance or counseling, or a closely related field and/or experience such as coordinating or providing social or legal services information or referrals to the public; coordinating or facilitating child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probationary services; providing care or services to delinquent or incapacitated persons.

Special Note:

As a condition of employment, the successful candidate must:

• Pass a criminal history record information check (AS 08.26.070)
• Applicants applying for PG 2 positions must either hold a current certification as a registered guardian from a nationally recognized organization at time of appointment or obtain a nationally recognized certification within one year of the date of hire (AS 13.26.740).
• Applicants applying for PG 3 OR PG 4 positions must hold a current certification as a registered guardian from a nationally recognized organization at time of appointment (AS 13.26.740).

“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Professional experience” means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.

“Progressively responsible” means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

Additional Required Information

• Copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay, please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcript) to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
• Cover letter - instructions below

• Three (3) professional references with daytime phone numbers, two (2) of which are current or previous supervisors.
• Three (3) most recent performance evaluations, or three (3) letters of recommendation if performance evaluations are unavailable.

For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Contact Information

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/programs/index.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Gym discounts at participating fitness providers in multiple locations throughout the state.

See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/ghlb/employee/health/gymListing.html for additional information