City Clerk Job Description
At its core, the city clerk’s job is about record-keeping and ensuring transparency in local government. Here are some of the main duties and responsibilities of a city clerk:
- Maintaining official city records: The city clerk is responsible for organizing and maintaining official records, such as meeting minutes, ordinances, and resolutions.
- Preparing and distributing meeting agendas and minutes: The city clerk creates and distributes the agenda for city council meetings, attends those meetings, and records and distributes the minutes of those meetings.
- Administering oaths of office: City clerks often administer oaths of office to elected officials, appointees, and staff.
- Issuing licenses and permits: Depending on the city, the clerk may be responsible for issuing licenses and permits for things like business operations, building permits, and special events.
- Managing municipal elections: The clerk is responsible for organizing and administering municipal elections, including maintaining voter records, processing absentee ballots, and reporting election results.
City Clerk Requirements and Skills
To become a city clerk, there are several requirements and skills that you should have:
- Educational requirements: Most city clerk positions require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as political science, public administration, or business administration. Some cities may also require previous experience working in a government or administrative position.
- Strong communication skills: As the city clerk will be interacting with various stakeholders such as elected officials, city staff, and the public, strong communication skills are a must.
- Attention to detail and accuracy: The clerk is responsible for maintaining official records, so attention to detail and accuracy is crucial.
- Ability to work well under pressure: The clerk must be able to prioritize tasks effectively and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, even in high-pressure situations.
City Clerk Job Description Template
A city clerk plays a critical role in local government by maintaining official records, organizing and managing meetings, issuing licenses and permits, and ensuring transparency in municipal operations. To attract the right candidates for this position, it’s important to create a clear and concise job description. Here’s an example of a city clerk job description template:
Job Title: City Clerk
Reports to: City Manager or City Council
Job Summary:
The city clerk is in charge of keeping official city records, organizing and writing up meeting agendas and minutes, giving oaths of office, issuing licenses and permits, and running municipal elections. The city clerk also serves as the custodian of public records and ensures transparency in all municipal operations.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain and organize official city records, such as meeting minutes, ordinances, and resolutions.
- Prepare and distribute meeting agendas and minutes for city council meetings.
- Attend city council meetings and record and distribute the minutes of those meetings.
- Administer oaths of office to elected officials, appointees, and staff.
- Issue licenses and permits for business operations, building permits, and special events.
- Manage municipal elections, including maintaining voter records, processing absentee ballots, and reporting election results.
- Serve as the custodian of public records and ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
- Provide administrative support to city council members and other stakeholders as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the city manager or city council.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as political science, public administration, or business administration.
- Previous experience in a government or administrative position is preferred.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to prioritize tasks effectively and work well under pressure.
- Familiarity with municipal laws and regulations.
If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career in local government, consider applying for the city clerk position in our municipality. As the city clerk, you’ll play a key role in making sure that City operations are open, accountable, and run smoothly. We look forward to receiving your application!
FAQ: City Clerk Job
If you’re considering a career as a city clerk or are interested in learning more about this role in local government, you likely have some questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about city clerk jobs:
Q: What is a city clerk?
A: A city clerk is a government official responsible for managing official city records, organizing and preparing meeting agendas and minutes, administering oaths of office, issuing licenses and permits, managing municipal elections, and ensuring transparency in all municipal operations.
Q: What are the primary responsibilities of a city clerk?
A: The primary responsibilities of a city clerk include maintaining and organizing official city records, preparing and distributing meeting agendas and minutes, attending city council meetings and recording and distributing the minutes of those meetings, administering oaths of office, issuing licenses and permits, managing municipal elections, serving as the custodian of public records, and providing administrative support to city council members and other stakeholders.
Q: What skills are required to be a city clerk?
A: To be a good city clerk, you should have good communication and people skills, pay close attention to detail and be accurate, be able to prioritize tasks and work well under pressure, and know the rules and laws of the city.
Q: What education and experience are required to become a city clerk?
A: Usually, you need a bachelor’s degree in a field like political science, public administration, or business administration. Previous experience in a government or administrative position is also preferred.
Q: What is the career outlook for city clerks?
A: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a steady growth rate of 4% for city clerk jobs from 2019 to 2029, which is in line with the average growth rate for all occupations.
Q: How can I prepare for a career as a city clerk?
A: To prepare for a career as a city clerk, you should pursue a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, gain experience in a government or administrative position, and develop strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Q: What is the salary range for city clerks?
A: According to Salary.com, the median salary for city clerks in the United States is $68,438 per year, with a range of $59,352 to $80,095 depending on location, experience, and other factors.
Q: What are the benefits of working as a city clerk?
A: Benefits of working as a city clerk may include competitive salaries, opportunities for career advancement, job security, and the ability to make a positive impact on the local community.