Job Description Summary

Department - Public Defense Services

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Unclassified

Job Classification: 1540 - Guardian and Estate Administrator

Salary Grade: 11

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $56,555 - $67,870 Annually

Pay Range: $56,555 - $79,164 Annually

The first review of applications will be on 07/31/2026.

The Pima County Public Fiduciary serves as the court-appointed Guardian, Conservator, or Estate Administrator (Personal Representative) to protect the legal rights and financial interest of vulnerable adults. The Public Fiduciary also administers the estates of deceased persons when there is no one else willing or able to serve per Arizona Revised Statutes. A fiduciary is someone who accepts the responsibility for taking care of the needs or property of another person for the benefit of that person and serves in a role of trust. The person served by the fiduciary places trust in the fiduciary to manage his or her affairs solely for his or her benefits and not the fiduciary’s benefit. This element of trust becomes crucial when the person receiving services is vulnerable and incapacitated. The Public Fiduciary is seeking a professional and compassionate candidate to fill the position of Guardian and Estate Administrator.

The Guardian and Estate Administrator is responsible for investigating, evaluating, and overseeing the personal and financial affairs of persons or decedent estates placed under guardianship, conservatorship, or probate estate by the court. This position provides case management services including medical, entitlement benefits, personal needs, and end-of-life planning for wards; additionally, this role provides property and asset management services, ensuring comprehensive marshalling and financial planning for the protected person.

For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at: www.pima.gov/pds.

This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Responds to and screens referrals from medical, mental health, law enforcement and other community sources;

• Performs primary assessment of potential wards which includes gathering psycho-social history, interviewing the proposed ward, and conducting a mental status exam;

• Interviews, evaluates, and documents a proposed ward's relationship to family and community, to determine if an individual with statutory priority may serve as fiduciary;

• Works with fiduciary staff to conduct property and asset searches, access records and protect assets, and documents all activity;

• Initiates and maintains court reports, recording summaries and documents in preparation for potential court testimony;

• Researches and assesses assets, performs cost-benefit analysis, marshals assets and prepares disposition plans, manages and supervises sale or disposition of real and/or personal property, and maintains records and prepares reports and correspondence;

• Participates in budgeting and conservatorship planning;

• Manages a caseload of wards/protected persons served by the Public Fiduciary, including consenting to and coordinating care, making medical and financial decisions, final arrangements, and contracting for benefits/services on the ward's behalf;

• Conducts in-person visits to ensure health and welfare of wards per statutory obligations and best practice, maintains regular contact with service providers, and responds to after-hours telephone calls, text messages and emails;

• Prepares audits and reports, conducts assessments for social, medical and related services, and develops and implements care or management plans.

Minimum Qualifications:

Current Arizona Supreme Court Fiduciary Certification.

OR:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social or behavioral science, public or business administration, finance, accounting or a closely-related field as defined by the department head AND two years of experience in one of the previously noted fields, case management or behavioral health.

(A combination of education or guardian certification and specifically relevant full-time work experience gained within the previous 10 years may substitute. Specifically, relevant work experience must be in the administration of trust, decedent’s estate, guardianship or conservatorship under the supervision of either a licensed fiduciary; bank trust; trust company officer; or a licensed attorney emphasizing the area of probate, trust, elder, mental health, or disability law.)

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements pursuant to the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA) Section 7-202 and A.R.S. 14-5651. All positions require current Arizona Supreme Court Fiduciary Certification within 18 months of appointment. Failure to maintain the required certification shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Department of Labor regulation CFR Part 1910.1030 requires notification that some positions within this classification may have a high or moderate risk of blood-borne pathogens. In accordance with OSHA and Pima County guidelines Tuberculin (TB) screening, Hepatitis B vaccinations and safety training and equipment will be provided. Requires completion of a satisfactory personal background investigation to include verification of work history, education and criminal conviction history. This position will require post-job offer proof of immunization(s) or immunization(s) and/or a TB screening.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Occasionally must lift and carry items. Occasionally remains in a stationary position. Occasionally moves about inside an office. Action Activity: bending, climbing, kneeling, reaching, squatting and stooping; Motion Activity - grasping and fine movement; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, behind themselves and equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone and on a cell; Vision - may be required to operate a motor vehicle, operate machinery, distinguish colors, have depth perception and peripheral vision.

Working Conditions: Receives and responds to after-hours telephone calls, text messages and emails. Frequently speaks to wards, protected service workers, social service professionals, families and constituents, and community stakeholders in-person and/or on the phone. Drives to visit wards and conduct field work in a variety of environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, and residential homes that have fallen into disrepair or may be in an unsanitary condition. May work outdoors. Regular, daily attendance is an essential function for this position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.