Public Guardian Representative

Overview Description: Under the supervision of a program director, the Guardian Representative has a crucial role in assisting individuals with disabilities who have been declared incapacitated by the circuit court and may require guidance in making critical life decisions.

Guardian Functions and Roles:

•  Maintain a caseload of 20 and monitor clients' well-being and ongoing care by visiting clients monthly in various settings to ensure that the appropriate level of care is being provided.
• Complete a values history assessment to gain a thorough understanding of an individual’s values and preferences when making important life decisions.
• Complete a plan of care to include individuals’ needs, desires, and goals. 
• Complete annual reports to DFS and other required documents as outlined in the guardianship contract and manual.
• Attend doctor’s appointments and consent to medical procedures and other critical matters as needed.
• Participate in annual Treatment Team Meetings to review client’s care and service plans
• Participate in court hearings and proceedings as requested to assist the program director with qualifying as guardian on behalf of The Arc organization.
• Make medical, financial, residential, and other decisions OR decisions as specified and authorized by the court order.
• Collect and maintain the client’s medical records, personal documents (e.g., mail, etc.), and other pertinent documents for the client’s file and case monitoring.
• Participate in the guardianship multidisciplinary panel meetings at least every other month or as assigned.
• Assist individuals in coordinating transitional services between homes or out-of-institutional settings.
• Communicate with the Representative Payee to help manage benefits and budgeting for individuals.
• Maintain good documentation that is compliant and up-to-date according to program and state requirements. Assist with performing client file reviews as requested in preparation for and participate in annual on-site audits from the Virginia Department for the Aging’s Public Guardian Program Monitor.
• Develop relationships with interdisciplinary teams overseeing essential support for individuals living in community-based or institutional settings. Pull teams together to help make important life decisions with the individual receiving guardianship services.
• Provide rotational on-call program coverage at least three times a year or as required, dependent on staffing support (cell phone is provided)
• Annual overnight travels to attend statewide guardianship training annually as approved by the program director.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a combination of education, experience, and training that is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a human service field, such as Social Work, Psychology, or Sociology from an accredited four-year college or university. The candidate must possess strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as strong critical thinking abilities to navigate through complex systems and decision-making. Must be organized and possess multi-tasking abilities. Prior experience working directly with individuals who have disabilities is required. The candidate must represent the Organization in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner. Show consideration towards the cultural and socioeconomic attributes of the service population. The candidate must also possess basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bilingual in Spanish or other specialized languages. Knowledge of treatment modalities and intervention techniques, such as behavior management, independent living skills training, supportive counseling, family education, crisis intervention, discharge planning and service coordination.

Special Requirements:

The selected candidate for this position will be required to undergo a Child Protective Services Registry, a Criminal Background check that satisfies The Arc of Northern Virginia, and drug screening. Work within a public guardianship program requires that an individual shall not have been convicted of any criminal offense involving any physical attack, neglect, or abuse of a person, lying, cheating, or stealing, nor convicted of any felony. Additionally, a valid motor vehicle driver’s license is required, and the candidate will be required to use their vehicle to travel to each appointment. Therefore, a functional vehicle is essential. Transporting clients is strictly prohibited.  Our services cover the Northern Virginia Region 2 area, and Mileage Reimbursement will be issued upon receipt to The Arc of Northern Virginia.

Hours:

The hours for this position can be flexible, although they may include some evening commitments. The candidate must be available Monday through Friday to fulfill all requirements of the position. Working weekends must be approved by the program director/supervisor. This position is mostly community-based with telework benefits. The telework schedule is dependent on supervisory approval and passing a 90 day probationary period. You will be expected to be on-call 24/7 on a rotational basis.  We offer set approved time off benefits in exchange for the additional hours worked while being on-call.

Submit your resume to:

Shannon Bond-Young, MS (she/her/hers)

Program Director , Public Guardianship of Last Resort Program at 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 300

Fairfax, VA 22031 OR shannon.bond-young@thearcofnova.org

Please include the position title in the subject line of your email.