Ventura County will get just its third district attorney in the past 42 years next year, when Greg Totten retires from the post he has held since 2003.

Totten announced his retirement on Nov. 10. It will take effect Jan. 9

After he leaves office, he will take the job of chief executive for the California District Attorneys Association in Sacramento.

Totten started working with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office in 1981 as a law student and summer clerk. In 2002, he was elected to succeed Michael Bradbury, who had been district attorney since 1979.

“I have been very fortunate to work with exceptionally dedicated and principled prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, and support staff,” Totten said in a news release. “Serving with these talented men and women has unquestionably been the best part of this job; I so admire and respect their devotion to the cause of justice and safety.”