Position Objective
The Staff Guardian is appointed by the local Probate Court to act as an advocate for a court-appointed ward. The Staff Guardian is required to act in the best interest of the ward by using discretion and independent judgment when making decisions and exercising specific rights, while adhering to the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Superintendence Rule 66, as administered by the Court.
Essential Responsibilities
- Conducts referral assessments to evaluate whether the Catholic Charities Agency should pursue serving as a Guardian.
- Required to adhere to the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code section 2111 and Superintendence Rule 66, as administered by the local Probate Court.
- Handles issues and coordinates interventions related to healthcare, psychological well-being, financial matters, family relationships, and living arrangements for court-appointed wards while ensuring the protection of the ward’s rights.
- Advocates for the ward to live in the least restrictive environment to ensure their protection and to provide the necessary support to meet their needs.
- Required to attend all meetings with other service providers of the ward, including but not limited to, physician care and nursing home reviews.
- Contact the ward, in person, quarterly to ensure proper care and treatment.
- Manages required administrative aspects of the guardianship, including, but not limited to, retaining appropriate records and documentation, following up with collaborating agencies involved with the ward, and filing proper court authorizations, inventories, reports, and accountings.
- Recruits, interviews, and trains Volunteer Guardians.
- Promotes elder advocacy and awareness of elder abuse.
- Performs other related duties, as assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) required; 3 years of experience in a social services environment preferred.
- Experience working with and advocacy for elderly and impaired populations is desired.
- Willingness to make a long-term commitment to serve individual wards.
- Maintain a current driver's license and be able to travel within the Diocese of Toledo.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Ability to work flexible hours; some evening and weekend hours may be necessary.
- Successful BCI/FBI background check before employment and every 5 years thereafter.
Competencies
- A sincere commitment to the Catholic Charities mission and core values and the drive to put them into action.
- Knowledge of court systems and community resources.
- Solid verbal and written communication skills and strong business math skills.
- High level of attention to quality, detail, accuracy and customer service.
- Ability to work with diverse groups of people and demonstrate exemplary customer service skills.
- Exercise considerable independence and judgment.
- High level of confidentiality, in working with sensitive and privileged information.
- Planning, organizing and prioritizing work; being proactive; taking initiative; following through on commitments; and simultaneously managing multiple priorities.
Working Conditions
- This position generally works in an office environment and uses standard office equipment and computers.
- While performing the responsibilities of this job, the employee may regularly be required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and listen.
- The employee may need to lift and move up to 25 pounds regularly.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
