Job Description

Job Description

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara invites applications for the position of: Supervising Probate Investigator

Applications may be filed online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scscourt

Under the direction of the Probate Judge and the Family Court Services Manager of the Superior Court, this professional supervisory level position plans, coordinates, and supervises the work of Probate Investigators engaged in conducting investigations into persons and issues related to pending matters before the Probate court; conducts special investigations on complex issues; prepares reports and assists the court in revising policies and procedures.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification is the supervisory level in the Investigator series. It is distinguished from the investigator class in that it has full supervisory authority regarding hiring, firing, discipline, performance assessments, and training of a group of Probate investigators and support staff, with the majority of time spent on supervisory work.

The Supervising Probate Investigator possesses extensive expertise in the laws affecting the emancipation of minors, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Typical Tasks/Representative Duties:

• Plans, supervises, assigns, and reviews the work of court investigators and clerical staff;

• Participates in employee selection and provides direction and training in administrative and technical procedures;

• Consults with subordinate staff regarding research and case analysis including difficult and/or complex matters;

• Prepares special studies, reports, and correspondence;

• Assist in revising of court policies, procedures, rules, and forms to ensure the efficient operation of the unit;

• Develops procedural systems, formats, and policies; related to work product and standards and oversees the preparation of statistical reports.

• Conducts special investigations of individuals and organizations on complex issues relating to pending matters;

• Acts as liaison between court and relevant agencies;

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the Director, Family Resources Division, Probate Judge, the Bar, Superior Court Administration, governmental and private agencies, and the public;

• Reviews and approves summaries of interview and investigations, analyses, and recommendations;

• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards/Typical Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social or behavioral sciences and at least five years of increasingly responsible experience in social work, family counseling, probate, or probation investigative work involving field evaluations, and one year of lead or senior level experience providing work direction and guidance to others. The above may be substituted for similar work or a combination of education, training, and experience in probate guardianship and/or conservatorship proceedings, which demonstrates equivalent qualification and skills needed for this position. Training in the law is desirable but not mandatory. A submission to a background investigation upon offer of employment is required.

Knowledge of:

• Probate investigation practices and procedures;

• Legal and medical terminology and documents;

• Principles and practices of effective supervision, laws, local rules, and court procedures; interviewing and investigation techniques and effective interpersonal communication skills used in obtaining and verifying information pertinent to guardianship, conservatorship, problems of the elderly, developmentally disabled, and neurologically impaired individuals; children's needs and special interests; cross-cultural issues, basic accounting principles and procedures, and basic word processing programs.

Ability to:

• Train, supervise, and direct subordinate staff;

• Organize work to meet deadlines;

• Investigate, analyze, and evaluate operational procedures;

• Understand, interpret, and apply pertinent provisions of the governmental codes, rules/policies promulgated by the Judicial Council, Superior Court, and case law affecting the operations and administration of the Probate Court;

• Understand complex issues; interpret information from various sources; analyze problems and documents and make recommendations;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, other public agencies, attorneys, judges, and the general public;

• Communicate orally and in written form in a clear and concise manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment is generally clean inside buildings with limited exposure to dust, fumes, odors, and noise. Incumbents will be working under sometimes difficult and stressful conditions with frequent deadlines and expectation to produce high quality work under limited time constraints as well as periodic contact with angry and confrontational individuals. The ability to work independently as well as closely with others is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Specific tasks and duties may vary between assignments, however, the following are considered essential functions expected of the Supervising Probate Investigator classification:

• Frequent and ongoing use of a computer terminal to conduct a variety of the more advanced clerical functions and communications;

• Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees in other court divisions, government agencies, the public and/or vendors with the ability to converse and respond appropriately to inquiries and requests;

• Periodic to regular lifting, walking and carrying of files, documents, and other court related materials. Incumbents must have the ability to lift and carry 10 lbs.;

• Work with time constraints and under pressure in some situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis;

• Ability to listen to verbal requests from the public and court staff, then respond appropriately;

• Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper, occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs, such as files, stacks of paper, reference books, and other materials;

• Frequent need to reach for items above and below desk level, sometimes with the assistance of a ladder or step-stool;

• Standing and sitting for long periods of time is periodically required.

EXAMINATION:

A screening panel will be convened to select those applicants deemed most qualified to participate in a written and/or oral examination. The examination process will include one or more of the following: application appraisal; written examination; oral examination.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

This recruitment requires the submission of an on-line application. No paper applications will be accepted. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire required. An electronic copy of your Resume must also be submitted as an attachment to this application submission.

The court is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status. The Court provides reasonable accommodations for applicants challenged with disabilities. If you are challenged with a disability as defined by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act or the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and will be requesting an accommodation in the application process, please contact Renee Hughes at rhughes@scscourt.org or Pam McGee at pmcgee@scscourt.org or call (408) 882-2703 to discuss your request. TDD communication is available by calling (408) 882-2787.

The Court must verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees to comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act. This verification is required only after an offer of employment has been made. For further information regarding the required verification, please contact Human Resources at (408) 882-2747.

BENEFITS:
The Court offers a benefits package includes a choice of health, dental and vision plan, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) as permitted by law, life insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Apply online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scscourt