Public Defender Legal Processing Supervisor I/II/III

Job Description:

Public Defender Legal Processing Supervisor I/II/III

Description

Description

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 direction, plans, organizes and supervises assigned clerical support staff which involves highly technical and specialized journey or advanced journey level clerical work.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
At each successive level, the incumbents are expected to demonstrate greater initiative, self-direction, independent judgement and conflict resolution than the preceding classification.

The Clerical Supervisor I plans, organizes, supervises and performs specialized clerical and technical work. This level serves as a working supervisor of an organizational unit. The work is characterized by the mix of journey/advanced journey level activities and supervisory responsibility over the assigned unit.

The Clerical Supervisor II is the journey level classification in this job series. Incumbents plan, organize and supervise the specialized clerical and technical work of one clerical operation or support services unit.

The Clerical Supervisor III is the advanced journey level classification in this job series. Incumbents plan, organize and supervise the specialized clerical and technical work of multiple work units.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will possess:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Possess the knowledge and computer skills necessary to assist with developing and maintaining a database.
• Excellent organizational skills.

PAYROLL TITLES AND ANNUAL SALARIES
Clerical Supervisor I: $50,450.87 - $70,604.50
Clerical Supervisor II: $55,478.37 - $77,679.83
Clerical Supervisor III: $61,110.86 - $85,598.94

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. It is anticipated that two (2) Regular vacancies will be filled in July 2026, contingent upon approval by the Board of Supervisors.

The Clerical Supervisor I, II and III are represented by Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Opening Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Closing Date: Friday, May 15, 2026, at 5:00 pm
Application Review Complete: Week of May 18, 2026

Examples Of Duties

Depth and breadth of assignments increase at each level and may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plans, organizes and supervises the work of legal support staff; reviews work of staff to ensure adequacy and accuracy of documents and files processed through the department.
• Develops and implements internal program procedures and work methods; instructs staff on changes in procedure or policy that affect operation; conducts training and orientation of new staff and ongoing training for all staff.
• Handles the more difficult and complex procedural problems; researches state law, county codes and policies to ensure compliance and prepares and processes documents as needed; responds to questions and special problems of the public or various departmental representatives; may handle communication with outside agencies.
• Maintains pertinent records and performs related work as required which may include typing, filing, preparing and mailing correspondence, briefs, exhibits, lists, various documents, arbitrations, civil service matters and other employee relations matters.
• Maintains current knowledge of office computer systems and word processing software.
• Prepares employee performance appraisal and/or evaluations; receives and resolves routine personnel matters and make recommendations to superiors on difficult and complex personnel matters.
• Provides back-up and assists legal support staff.
• May be assigned additional clerical, technical, administrative and/or supervisory duties and responsibilities.
• May assist with staffing needs and other program decisions.
• Prepares and maintains schedule of legal support staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

These are the entrance requirements to the examination process, possession of which assures neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
Some (I), considerable (II), or progressively responsible (III) clerical/secretarial experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities. The required knowledge and abilities may be obtained by:

Clerical Supervisor I
Any combination of education, training or experience equivalent to four (4) years of clerical/secretarial experience which demonstrates the ability to plan, assign, train and evaluate the work of others.

Clerical Supervisor II
Any combination of education, training or experience equivalent to five (5) years of clerical/secretarial experience which includes at least one (1) year of direct supervisory experience.

Clerical Supervisor III
Any combination of education, training or experience equivalent to six (6) years of clerical/secretarial experience which includes at least two (2) years of direct supervisory experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license as a condition of employment.

HIGHLY DESIRED

• Experience processing and handling legal documents related to the criminal justice system;
• Experience assisting individuals from underserved or marginalized backgrounds, including those who are indigent or experiencing mental health challenges.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough to comprehensive knowledge (depending on level in series) of:

• Legal clerical/secretarial practices and procedures including legal terminology, general office practices, record retention, and clerical work methods and techniques.
• Legal clerical/secretarial systems; principles and practices of effective supervision related to selection, training, direction, control and evaluation of subordinates; and supervisory practices and techniques.
• Automated systems applicable to work assignment.

Thorough to comprehensive ability (depending on level in series) to:

• Plan, organize and direct the work of staff to meet varying workload demands and specific time requirements.
• Perform and supervise others involved in legal clerical/secretarial file processing, records maintenance and other specialized clerical work.
• Apply rules, policies and procedures; evaluate unusual situations and resolve them through the application of standard policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement work methods & procedures.
• Prepare documents and narrative statistical/program status reports.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and verbal directions.

Supplemental Information:
Incumbents are responsible for the supervision of legal support staff and for the continued training and orientation of new and current staff.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026.

To apply online, please refer to our website at www.venturacounty.gov/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue L-1970, Ventura CA 93009.

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 substituted in lieu of the application.

NOTE TO TRANSFER CANDIDATES: If presently permanently employed in another “merit” or “civil service” public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as 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. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%
An un-proctored, internet-based job-related written examination will be conducted to evaluate participating candidates’ knowledge of reading comprehension, recording/verifying data, vocabulary, filing, legal terminology and processing, mathematics, and office practices and procedures. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Jean Leedy by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (805) 654-2211.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ,UPT, UWS

Closing Date/Time: 5/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$50,460.87 - $85,598.94 Annually