Public Defender Legal Processing Supervisor IIIIII
Ventura, CA - USA
Job Summary
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: $50450.87 - $70604.50
Clerical Supervisor II: $55478.37 - $77679.83
Clerical Supervisor III: $61110.86 - $85598.94
EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE
Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5% 3.5% or 5% based on completion of an Associates Bachelors. or Masters 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 Defenders 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 2026Examples 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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 A paper application can be obtained by calling . 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 clickhere 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 applicants 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 or by telephone at .
Required Experience:
Manager