Public Defender Receptionist - Fixed Term - Bilingual Preferred

Ventura County; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational incentive

Bilingual incentive

Overtime eligibility

Job summary

Ventura County Public Defender's Office is seeking a Legal Processing Assistant I or II to provide clerical support for criminal defense activities. The role emphasizes excellent communication, teamwork, and the ability to stay composed in a fast-paced setting.

The positions offer hourly pay for two levels, potential overtime, and educational/bilingual incentives, with a fixed-term opening ending December 10, 2027. This role supports diverse clients within the Public Defender's Office.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced criminal defense environment.
• Excellent customer service and sound judgment under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Answer multi-line telephone inquiries from clients, in and out of custody.
• Greet the public and clients, including persons accused of crimes from diverse backgrounds.
• Assist with preparing legal documents, including redacting confidential files and copying.

Skills

Verbal communication

Team player

Customer service

Judgment under pressure

Job description

ABOUT 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.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under immediate (Legal Processing Assistant I) or general (Legal Processing Assistant II) supervision, the Public Defender Legal Processing Assistant performs specialized clerical and/or secretarial duties in support of legal defense activities.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess excellent verbal communication skills, the ability to work as a member of a team, and a desire to work in the criminal defense field assisting persons accused of crimes. The incumbent must have excellent customer service skills, the ability to exercise sound judgment, be a team player, and the ability to perform and remain calm in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.

PAYROLL TITLES AND APPROXIMATE SALARIES

Legal Processing Assistant I: $23.00 - $32.14 Hourly

Legal Processing Assistant II: $25.32 - $35.41 Hourly

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Legal Processing Assistant I is the entry level in the series. Incumbents prepare, examine and process legal documents in support of specialized legal defense activities, utilizing journey level clerical skills and limited application of specialized legal procedures and processes.

At the journey level, Legal Processing Assistant II prepares and processes a variety of legal documents and performs a variety of legal case management activities.

Incumbents apply clerical skills and specialized legal knowledge to specific assignments in support of legal defense functions. Generally, incumbents of this level are considered sufficiently trained in legal procedure to satisfactorily rotate through specialty assignment areas with minimal work disruption and/or training.

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.

VETERAN’S POINTS

This is a trainee/entry level classification, and Veteran’s Points may apply to eligible candidates for the Legal Processing Assistant I classification.

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.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill existing and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help positions for this and similar vacancies within the Public Defender's Office. There is currently one (1) Fixed-Term vacancy with an anticipated end date of December 10, 2027.

NOTE: A Fixed-Term position is a position designated by the Director-Human Resources or Board of Supervisors to which persons may be appointed for fixed terms not to exceed three (3) years. Fixed-Term employees are eligible for the same benefits and compensation as Regular employees.

The Legal Processing Assistant I and II are represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Opening Date: Friday, November 06, 2026

Closing Date: Monday, November 16, 2025, at 5:00 pm

Application Review: Week of November 23, 2026

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Answer multi-line telephone and handle telephone inquiries from clients, both in and out of custody;
• Greet the public and clients including persons accused of crimes and persons from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments;
• Assist with preparing legal documents including redacting confidential files, copying, transcribing, etc;
• Give the public, clients, law enforcement officials and/or other employees procedural and/or case information which requires distinguishing between, and consideration of, sensitive/protected and public information and may require understanding or interpretation/explanation of legal documents and legal/court procedure;
• Assess clients’ needs and determine appropriate course of action;
• Interact with attorneys and court personnel, and;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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

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.