Public Defender Legal Clerical Unit Supervisor

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

About The Position

The County of Ventura Public Defender seeks a supervisor for its legal clerical unit. Under general direction, the position supervises a line or operations work unit, performs staff support duties, or serves as a technical resource for mid-level management. Depending on assignment, the incumbent plans and supervises clerical or technical support staff, conducts special studies, and may perform the most complex duties and assignments. The Public Defender’s mission is to ensure equal justice through exceptional legal representation. The office represents clients at all stages of their cases across areas including misdemeanor and felony trials, immigration, writs and appeals, juvenile matters, mental health, conservatorship, and homeless courts. It also partners with community-based organizations on post-conviction record-clearing work. The ideal candidate has strong oral and written communication skills, some experience administering programs or operations, independent judgment, and proficiency with automated systems, modern office methods, and equipment. The position requires use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and databases. There are two regular, full-time vacancies. Staff/Services Specialist I salaries range from $81,781.71 to $121,359.31 annually; Staff/Services Specialist II salaries range from $88,242.76 to $130,494.10 annually. An employee appointed at the lower level may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with departmental business needs.

Requirements

Staff/Services Specialist I: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of administrative, operations, project, staff, and/or customer service experience; OR at least six years of administrative, operations, project, staff, or customer service experience.
Staff/Services Specialist II: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of considerably progressively responsible administrative, operations, project, staff, and/or customer service experience, including four years of direct supervision; OR at least eight years of administrative, operations, project, staff, and/or customer service experience, including at least four years of direct supervisory experience.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels, other County personnel, and the general public.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; written communication is assessed through 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.
Knowledge of supervision principles and practices; automated systems and databases; staffing coverage and cross-training planning; work processes in the criminal justice defense or legal fields; research and interpretation of codes, regulations, and policies; and public/customer relations techniques.
Ability to supervise staff and administer projects; exercise independent judgment; explain department policies and procedures; serve as a departmental resource and liaison; develop and implement work processes and procedures; assist with office automation applications; draw logical conclusions and make recommendations or adjustments; prioritize competing work; interpret technical material; and complete required forms accurately.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise clerical support staff, including participating in staff selection and evaluation, providing cross-training and employee development, assigning work, evaluating outcomes, and determining effective use of resources.
Liaise with representatives of other agencies and departments and interact with and assist indigent persons and clients.
Respond to inquiries from staff, the public, vendors, and contractors about services in the criminal justice defense and legal field.
Investigate and resolve operational service or contractor/vendor performance problems.
Complete special projects, including surveys, research, reports, data analysis, and statistical and narrative reporting.
Assist in developing policies and procedures and recommend changes as needed.
Analyze trends, legislation, and other developments affecting policies and procedures in the criminal justice defense and legal field.
Compile and analyze data to determine operational requirements, establish benchmarks, and measure work performance.
Research assigned topics and prepare staff reports or position papers with recommendations based on findings.
Maintain records and prepare management reports using Microsoft Word, Excel, automated systems, manuals, and reference materials.
Prepare public relations brochures, informational materials, and customer satisfaction surveys using Adobe Acrobat Pro and similar tools.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

General salary increases of 3.5% effective December 20, 2026, and 3.5% effective December 19, 2027.
Educational incentive of 2.5% for an associate’s degree, 3.5% for a bachelor’s degree, or 5% for a graduate degree not required for the classification.
Potential bilingual incentive, subject to operational need and certification, at $0.69, $1.00, or $1.32 per hour depending on proficiency level.
Merit increases, including an initial 5% increase after at least 1,040 hours of satisfactory service and subsequent merit increases after each additional 2,080 hours, subject to the stated conditions.
Annual leave accrual of 208 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after five years of service, with a limited annual leave redemption option after 14,560 hours of continuous County service and use of 80 hours in the preceding 12 months.
Participation in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or Section 457 Plan; the County matches part of 401(k) contributions up to 3% of salary, and adds a 2% non-elective contribution after five years of continuous County service.
Flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical coverage through the County Flexible Benefits Program.
County-paid dental and vision premiums.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses.
Defined-benefit pension plan with lifetime payments to retirees; vesting after five years of retirement service credit and potential reciprocity with other public retirement systems.
13 paid holidays per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.
Tuition reimbursement.
Disability plans.
Employee Assistance Program.
Life insurance.
Wellness Program.
Eligible for overtime compensation.