City Clerk job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is a City Clerk?
City Clerks are government officials who perform a variety of management, administration, public relations, and accounting duties and assignments for the City Council.
They are responsible for maintaining and processing municipal records and documents, such as ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts, etc. and implementing policies and goals of the City Clerk’s office.
They attend and manage City Council meetings, assist the Mayor in Council protocols, coordinate and supervise municipal elections, and prepare annual budgets.
City Clerks also respond to inquiries and concerns from residents and businesses, issue licenses, permits, and other documents, and certify and publish city documents.
The top City Clerk skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
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Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
We are looking for an experienced City Clerk to join our City Council. In this position, you will be responsible for maintaining and processing municipal records and documents, such as ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts, correspondence, etc. You will develop and implement municipal policies and goals, attend and manage Council meetings, and assist the Mayor with Council protocols. You will also sign, notarize, and publish city documents and issue licenses and permits.
Your job will also include preparing and managing budgets and monitoring expenditures, implementing policies and procedures to increase the efficiency of operations and services, and acting as a communication link between the City Council and the public. Ultimately, you will supervise clerical staff and respond to questions and inquiries from residents and businesses.
To be successful as a City Clerk, you should have exceptional communication, organizational, accounting, attention to detail, and computer skills.
Duties and responsibilities
- Maintain, prepare, and process municipal records and documents, such as ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, correspondence, etc
- Develop and implement policies, goals, and priorities of the City Clerk’s office
- Attend City Council meetings and assist the Mayor with Council protocols
- Implement policies and procedures to increase the efficiency of operations and services and make suggestions regarding office technology
- Prepare and manage annual budget and oversee expenditures
- Supervise the work of clerical staff, evaluate performance, assign tasks, and provide training if necessary
- Manage city council meetings by scheduling, creating the agenda, and taking meeting minutes
- Sign, notarize, certify, and publish city documents
- Coordinate and supervise municipal elections
- Respond to inquiries, questions, and concerns from city residents and businesses
- Act as a communication link between the City Council and the public
- Issue licenses, permits, and other documents
- Represent the city at community and civic events
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, political science, economics, or finance
- Working experience as a City or County Clerk along with general office experience
- Professional certification or training may be required
- Applicable knowledge of relevant federal and state laws and regulations
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data entry
- Outstanding communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Attention to detail
Take the template with you
Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
Degree first, then the certification.
City Clerks are typically required to have a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, political science, economics, or finance.
In some cases, a post-graduate degree may be a requirement.
Depending on the size of the city and its specific procedures and operations, City Clerks can be required to obtain a professional certification or training.
The most common certification is a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC).
Certified Municipal Clerk
Demonstrates knowledge and expertise in municipal governance and administration.
International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC)Sample interview questions for a City Clerk.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- Could you tell us more about your personal background?
- What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in the future?
- Can you briefly tell us about your administrative work experience so far?
- What makes you the ideal candidate for our new City Clerk?
- Do you have any questions about our operations or services?
- How do you imagine a typical working day as a City Clerk?
- Are you comfortable working with the public and attending public events?
- What is your experience with managing elections?
- How would you correct a discrepancy in public records?
- What are the most important laws that City Clerks should follow?
- How do you ensure the accuracy and completeness of city documents and files?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $10 at the 10th percentile to $30 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
County Clerk
Accounting Clerk
Accounting Clerks work in accounting departments in companies where they provide assistance with accounting and clerical duties.
$38,217 medianCourt Clerk
Frequently asked questions.
What do City Clerks do?
City Clerks are government officials who maintain and process municipal records and documents, such as ordinances, resolutions, deeds, correspondence, etc. and manage various municipal activities and operations.
They assist the Mayor, implement policies and goals, manage budgets, and collaborate with the public.
Who do City Clerks work with?
City Clerks mainly work with the Mayor, City Council, various government officials, and clerical staff.
How much do City Clerks earn annually?
City Clerks earn between $19,200 and $62,000 per year.
What skills must City Clerks have?
City Clerks must have superb communication, organization, attention to detail, accounting, and computer skills.
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