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SalaryThe Department of Administration, Office of Public Advocacy is seeking a compassionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a Public Guardian.
The Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) provides legal advocacy and guardianship services to vulnerable Alaskans throughout Alaska. We embrace the mission of helping those who are unable to help themselves. You will become part of a team who takes pride in what they do and feel the rewarding benefits of knowing you are making a difference in your clients’ lives.- This position is in a flexibly staffed training series. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work. It is recommended you apply for all levels if you are qualified.
ONGOING POSTING NOTICE:
The applicant pool(s) for this position will be reviewed regularly for qualified applicants. This recruitment may be closed early if a qualified applicant is found before the closing date. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.
What you will be doing:
As a Public Guardian 1 Trainee you will:
- Have a built-in promotional track to advance to the Public Guardian 2.
- Receive on the job training to conduct tasks associated with managing client finances, property, housing, court reports and client visitation.
- Learn to provide surrogate or substitute decision making regarding client mental health care, vocational training and education, residential placement, choice of service providers, and protection of legal rights and human rights.
- Assist and shadow team members with specific case assignments.
- Work toward obtaining certification as a registered guardian.
- Manage client finances, property, housing, court reports and client visitation.
- Provide surrogate or substitute decision making regarding client mental health care, vocational training and education, residential placement, choice of service providers, and protection of legal rights and human rights.
- Maintain regular contact with client through home visitation or directing home visitation, correspondence, telephone, and office visitation and/or regular communication with case managers, care coordinators or home administrators and staff.
- Participate in scheduled treatment and case planning meetings in guardian capacity.
- Obtain certification as a registered guardian and qualify for the pay incentive once certification is obtained.
Benefits:
The State of Alaska offers a full benefits package, including health insurance and retirement, generous paid holidays and leave, as well as eligibility to be considered for telework after the first year and successful completion of training.
The work location:
This position may be located either in Anchorage or Juneau.
Anchorage combines wild Alaska beauty in an urban setting offering the opportunity to engage in multiple outdoor activities, shopping, dining at world class restaurants, and viewing captivating arts. Anchorage is a diverse city rich in culture and heritage. For more information about Anchorage, please visit: https://www.anchorage.net/
Juneau is Alaska’s Capital City in the heart of Southeast Alaska. Juneau is a beautiful coastal community and offers the chance to participate in activities such as skiing, fishing, hiking, and enjoying the city’s local shops, restaurants, and artistic flare. For more information, please visit: https://www.traveljuneau.com/
The work environment:
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 offer free parking and are within walking distance of many great restaurants and coffee shops.
Who we are looking for:
We are looking for a compassionate individual who possesses the following desired competencies:
- Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
- Social Services: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, practices, and current trends in social services used in the planning, design, implementation, and/or evaluation of programs that provide a broad range of social supports to individuals, families, and communities.
- Disability Services: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices used in the planning, design, and/or implementation of programs that provide services to children and adults who experience disabilities and their families.
- Valid driver’s license.
- 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).
“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
At time of interview, please provide the following:
- A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay; please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcripts) is used to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
- Three (3) professional references, including daytime phone numbers, two (2) of which must be a current or former supervisor, if not already provided in the application.
- Past three performance evaluations or letters of recommendation, if available.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
For your application to be evaluated you must answer the Supplemental Questions. Be specific in your answers and tell us how you acquired the relevant experience. Please use complete sentences and proof-read your submissions when answering the supplemental questions. Your responses will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process.
EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Applications will be reviewed to determine if minimum qualifications are met. Therefore, all work experiences the applicant is using to meet minimum qualifications for this position must be documented in the application package. Please include the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether the employment was full or part-time. Applicants who submit packages that do not provide sufficient information to demonstrate minimum qualifications are met may not advance in the selection process.
NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.
EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
NOTICE
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.
WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.
For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword
Contact Information
For specific information in reference to the position, please contact the hiring manager:
Amy Hoagland, Administrative Officer 1
Phone: 907-269-3518
amy.hoagland@alaska.gov
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
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 https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.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
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
- 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
See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits- Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Eleven paid holidays a year
