About JFCS Guardianship Services

When an adult in our community is unable to care for themselves due to chronic mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or severe trauma, they are placed in the care of JFCS Guardianship Services. You can literally save lives by assisting people who have no one else to turn to.

Our team at JFCS provides guardianship to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, ensuring that they are safe and well cared for. JFCS Guardianship Services works holistically with all other departments in the agency to ensure that people who are struggling get the range of assistance they need.

Position Summary:

To provide guardianship services for persons adjudicated incompetent by the court. Guardians oversee client care, work with their caregivers on their behalf, manage their finances as needed, attend meetings regarding their care and well-being, and advocate for the clients needs and best interests in all aspects of their lives. This position operates from the employee's home office with travel throughout western PA.

Why you should apply:

Guardianship is a legal designation that protects vulnerable individuals who lack the ability and who do not have family structures that allow them to function independently as an adult. JFCS Guardians become like family for their wards. We make decisions about their health, the care they receive, as well as the sweet things, like ensuring they receive regular visits and gifts at special times in their lives. Our clients benefit from the insight, protection and boundaries that our staff set with them. Our staff know that without our help, many of our clients would be homeless or become victims of trafficking or abuse.

About JFCS:

In today’s world, it is important that your life’s work brings you value and purpose. By joining the team at JFCS, you will experience hands-on opportunities that directly help people in the Greater Pittsburgh region through life’s changes and challenges.

Proudly voted by JFCS employees as one of Pittsburgh’s best places to work for +10 years, our care and commitment to our employees and our clients is our top priority. We are looking for new employees who share our commitment to providing critical, high quality services to the community.

Benefits:

• Collaborative work environment and diverse staff
• 37.5 hours work week with flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Hybrid work model (part of the week in office, part remote)
• Sick Time = 12 days a year
• Vacation Time = starts at 2 weeks the first year and then increases with longevity up to 4 weeks total
• Additional paid time off for all employees = most federal holidays, 3-5 floating holidays (to be used at employee’s discretion), and a number of Jewish holidays
• Comprehensive health insurance - medical, dental and vision
• Short and long term disability, life insurance and a 401k package for which JFCS contributes 4% of salary after the first year of service
• Annual longevity bonuses after the first year of service

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field preferred. Experience in working with older adults and/or clients with significant mental health challenges or intellectual disabilities. Experience as a service coordinator with case management or systems that provide case management; experience advocating for client needs. Knowledge of county housing waivers and monitoring tools. Good decision-making, organizational abilities, a kind heart and firm boundaries are essential along with excellent interpersonal skills. Driver’s license and dependable car required. Must be available for “on call” duties. Sensitivity to the special needs, including cultural backgrounds, of the client population. Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting. Required to pass criminal background checks every six months per court mandate.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Visit each client every 4-6 weeks;
• Monitor medications and communicate with healthcare providers as needed.
• Evaluate and monitor client's well being in their home or other settings particularly with regard to safety and providing for the least restrictive settings.
• Participate in care planning conferences regarding the residential, health or educational programs of the client.
• If appropriate, given scope of guardianship decree, assume responsibility for medical decision-making in collaboration with the Director of Guardianship Services. Seek full disclosure of risks and benefits of proposed treatment.
• Regularly examine all services, charts, notes, logs, evaluations regarding the ward at the place of residence and any program site.
• Work collaboratively with Guardianship Fiscal Assistant to assume the financial management of the client as needed.
• Document activities in guardianship records; prepare correspondence on behalf of client as needed. Complete daily activity logs.
• Participate in staff development in order to better meet the needs of the client population including their cultural needs and to continue professional development as discussed in supervision.
• Complete annual required reports to Orphan’s Court.
• Provide case management services that may include such face to face services as disbursing cash allowances to clients, arranging or transportation services, and purchasing personal items.
• Provide case management services on behalf of the client such as completing applications for benefits such as Social Security Disability or SSI, rent rebate forms; investigating medical insurance alternatives. Will conduct research necessary to complete an appropriate burial plan.
• Create debt repayment plans on behalf of client.
• Attendance at departmental and agency wide staff meetings and in-service training.
• On Call Duties as assigned.
• Assume other duties as required.