Public Defender Legal Clerical Unit Supervisor

County of Ventura; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational incentive

Bilingual incentive

Merit increases

Annual leave accrual

401(k) plan

Health insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Pension plan

Holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

County of Ventura seeks a Staff/Services Specialist to supervise clerical staff, coordinate operations, and support indigent defense services. The role emphasizes effective communication, data analysis, and interdepartmental collaboration.

You will plan projects, prepare reports, and help implement policies. The position requires knowledge of Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Pro, with a strong emphasis on organizational skills and customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in administrative, operations, or customer service roles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Pro required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and supervise clerical staff and cross-train team members.
• Coordinate with agencies and assist indigent clients; respond to inquiries.
• Lead special projects, research topics, and prepare reports and analyses.
• Develop and implement work processes; update policies and procedures as needed.
• Maintain records and generate management reports using Word/Excel/Acrobat Pro.

Skills

Communication

Independent judgment

Office automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Databases

Job description

WHAT WE OFFER

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• General Salary Increase - 3.5% effective December 20, 2026, and 3.5% effective December 19, 2027.
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, or 5% for completion of a graduate degree not required for the classification.
• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operations need and certification of skill. Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69/hour (Level 1), $1.00/hour (Level II), or $1.32/hour (Level III).
• Merit Increases - New employees serving their initial County service probationary period are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately six months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Annual Leave Accrual/Redemption -Accrual rate of208 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service. After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours in the preceding 12 months.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. If you participate in the County sponsored 401(k) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis. Following five (5) years of continuous County service, an additional 2% non-elective contribution will be made to the 401(k) plan.
• Health Plans -You are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical plan under the County’s Flexible Benefits Program. County now pays 100% of dental, and vision premiums.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participate in the County's defined benefit pension plan that provides lifetime payments to retirees. Members are "vested" after attaining five years of retirement service credit. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Holidays - 13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.
• To learn more about the benefits, please follow the link: https://vcportal.venturacounty.gov/CEO/HR/MOA/docs/SEIU_MOA_2025-2029.pdf

THE DEPARTMENT

The mission of the County of Ventura Public Defender is to ensure equal justice for our clients by providing exceptional legal representation. Our office recognizes the value of having a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are committed to the professional development of every employee on every team so they, in turn, can help each of our clients achieve the best outcome in their case. Our clients are a diverse community, as well, and many suffer from negative social impacts of systemic racism. We honor the inherent dignity in every client by fighting for their rights. We are holistic and take the time to find out how we can help – both inside and outside the courtroom. Our staff includes experts in litigation and trial advocacy, as well as professionals who can help people address mental health and substance use disorder issues. We represent each client at all stages of their case, and our practice areas include Misdemeanor and Felony trial teams, Immigration, Writs and Appeals, Juvenile, and Mental Health, plus a number of specialty courts, including Conservatorship and Homeless Courts. Our office partners with community-based organizations in post-conviction litigation to clear records so our clients can avoid the stigma of a criminal conviction and find jobs. By helping people gain employment and reenter their communities, we enhance public safety and demonstrate our dedication to this community.

THE POSITION

Under general direction, supervises a line or operations work unit, performs staff support duties, or acts as a technical resource for mid-level management. Depending on assignment, the incumbent may be involved in planning and supervising the work of clerical or technical support staff, performing special studies, and/or at times performing the most complex duties and assignments.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will have strong oral and written communication skills with some experience administering programs and/or operations. The successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to exercise independent judgment; and use automated systems, modern office methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications, such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat Pro and databases.

PAYROLL TITLES AND ANNUAL SALARIES

Staff/Services Specialist I: $81,781.71 - $121,359.31

Staff/Services Specialist II: $88,242.76 - $130,494.10

NOTE

If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE

Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: Wednesday, October 28, 2026

CLOSING DATE: Friday, November 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

APPLICATION REVIEW COMPLETE: Week of November 16, 2026.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Plans, organizes, coordinates and supervises the work of clerical support staff including participating in the selection and evaluation of staff, providing cross training and employee development, and assigning work to meet workload demands, evaluating outcomes, and determining the most effective use of resources.
• Provides liaison with representation from other agencies/departments and interacts with and assist indigent persons/clients. Answers inquiries from staff, members of the public, vendors and contractors regarding the services provided within the criminal justice defense/legal field. Investigates and resolves problems related to the line operation’s service or contractor/vendor performance.
• Works on special projects as assigned by department management in a multitude of areas provided within the criminal justice defense/legal field including conducting surveys, researching topics and issues, writing reports, analyzing data, and preparing statistical and narrative reports.
• Assists in developing policies and procedures and making recommendations for changes as needed. Analyzes new trends, legislation, etc. provided within the criminal justice defense/legal field to determine and respond to changes required in policies and procedures.
• Compiles and analyzes data to determine operational requirements, set benchmarks, and measure work performance.
• Performs research on a variety of topics provided within the criminal justice defense/legal field as requested; prepares staff reports or position papers and makes recommendations based on research findings.
• Maintains a variety of records and produces management reports using Microsoft Word and Excel, automated systems, manuals, and other reference materials.
• Prepares public relations brochures and informational material, customer satisfaction surveys, etc. using Adobe Acrobat Pro and other similar tools.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

These are the entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Some to considerable progressively responsible operations, project or staff experience, customer service and/or administrative support experience leading to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.

An example of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities can be obtained by the following:

Staff/Services Specialist I

Bachelor’s degree in a related field with two (2) years of administrative, operations, project, staff and/or customer service experience.

OR

At least six (6) years of administrative, operations, project, staff, or customer service experience.

Staff/Services Specialist II

Bachelor’s degree in a related field with four (4) years of considerably progressively responsible administrative, operations, project, staff, and/or customer service experience including four (4) years of direct supervision.

OR

At least eight (8) years of administrative operations, project, staff, and/or customer service experience with at least four (4) of the years including direct supervisory experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels, other County personnel and the general public.
• The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Effective written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
• Ability to coordinate multiple operational functions with competing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

DESIRED

• Experience interacting with and assisting indigent persons/clients
• Experience supervising staff.
• Some experience working in the criminal justice defense or legal fields.

WORKING TO CONSIDERABLE KNOWLEDGE OF

• Principles and practices of effective supervision;
• The use of automated systems including databases;
• Planning, organizing, coordinating staffing coverage and cross training needs to meet workload demands;
• Work processes/methods related to the criminal justice defense or legal fields;
• Researching and interpreting codes, regulations and policies related to the department and those related to public/customer relations techniques.

WORKING ABILITY TO

• Supervise staff and administer various projects;
• Exercise independent judgment;
• Explain department policies and procedures and serve as departmental resource and liaison;
• Develop and implement necessary work processes and related procedures;
• Assist in developing or enhancing office automation applications;
• Draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations or adjustments as needed;
• Organize and prioritize work assignments to coordinate multiple operational functions with competing priorities;
• Read and interpret technical material; and, complete required forms accurately and completely;
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

ABILITY TO

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels, other County personnel and the general public;
• Interact with and assist indigent persons/clients.

SKILL IN

• Utilizing Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire will be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration