As a company that builds accessible, user-friendly municipal websites, we're required to be in tune with the critical role that town clerks play in local government operations—our solutions are designed to complement their efforts on many levels.

We understand that clerical jobs are essential to the smooth operation of municipal activities, but what exactly does the role entail? From managing council meeting minutes to organizing city elections, clerks perform a wide range of duties that keep communities running efficiently.

In this guide, we’ll explore what a municipal clerk does, understand the typical municipal clerk job role, and discuss factors like salaries and the qualifications necessary to succeed.

Whether you're hiring, pursuing this career path, or simply curious about the job, we've got all the details you need.

What Does a Municipal Clerk Do?

Municipal clerks hold a senior administrative position in the local government. They're responsible for a range of legal and operational duties. The job often encompasses everything from managing financial records to preparing reports and maintaining legal documents.

In essence, clerks serve as the hub between city officials and the public, ensuring that information flows efficiently and that government operations remain transparent.

Though state regulations can vary, there are some universal responsibilities. For instance, city clerks are tasked with documenting and managing council minutes, which involves attending meetings, transcribing notes, and distributing them to the relevant parties.

They're also responsible for issuing public notifications, overseeing municipal elections, and maintaining archives, making them truly indispensable to municipal governments.

Some of the most common tasks and responsibilities for municipal clerks include:

• Managing council meetings: Keeping public records; editing and distributing meeting minutes to ensure transparency.
• Issuing public notifications: Notify the public and members of official events, council meetings, and other important announcements.
• Organizing municipal elections: Preparing ballots, certifying election results, and overall coordination.
• Copywriting and transcription: Handle office duties, such as transcribing, proofreading, and filing official documents.
• Legal documentation: Preparing ordinances, resolutions, and managing official documents.
• Financial activities: While city controllers usually handle major financial operations, clerks often manage smaller fiscal activities, like budgeting and expenditure tracking.
  
  

City Clerk Job Requirements

To effectively perform these duties, city clerks need a combination of education, technical skills, and personal qualities. A bachelor's degree in public administration or a related field is often required, along with strong communication skills.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws is essential, as well as proficiency in financial bookkeeping and digital data management. Here are some more requirements for the role of a city clerk:

• Relevant computer skills
• Excellent people skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Transcription skills

You may decide that they must have previous experience in a similar role, or, if you’d like, you can list this as preferable. It’s up to you whether to class any of the above as a non-negotiable.

To give you a frame of reference, here’s an example from Glassdor, for a role at High Point, North Carolina.

Here's another example from Monster.com.

City Clerk: Job Ad Template

When creating an advert for this type of job, it’s important to highlight the responsibilities and requirements clearly. Here's an example:

"We are seeking an experienced municipal clerk to manage administrative activities, including recording council meeting minutes, maintaining legal documents, and coordinating city elections.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in public administration or a related field, experience in financial bookkeeping, and excellent organizational skills. Responsibilities include archiving municipal records, dictating and transcribing official documents, and serving as the liaison between the city council and the public."

FAQs

For more clarity on the role of a municipal clerk, take a gander at our FAQ section below, as it provides quick answers to the usual questions regarding job responsibilities and remuneration.

Whether you're considering a career as a municipal clerk or just want to learn more, this section covers everything you need to know about the essential duties and qualifications.

How Many Hours Do Municipal Clerks Clock In on Average?

It may surprise you that most municipal clerks do 40 hours a week and no more. But in many cases, they will need to occasionally do evening or weekend work. This might happen if meetings are held outside of regular office hours or for events such as city elections.

Who Does a Municipal Clerk Primarily Work With?

Mostly, municipal clerks work directly with the local mayor and city council. They may also work in conjunction with the managing directors of a range of municipal admin departments.‍

How Much Do Municipal Clerks Make on an Average?

When it comes to compensation, the average certified municipal clerk salary in the U.S. ranges between $44,000 and $54,000 per year, with factors like experience, location, and the size of the municipality playing a significant role.

For example, in a large metropolitan area, the pay may exceed $60,000, while clerks in smaller towns might earn less than $40,000. According to Salary.com, the median pay for municipal clerks is approximately $49,164.

The demand for clerks remains steady, particularly in growing communities that require enhanced administrative support.

Summing Up

Understanding what municipal clerical work entails is key to running a smooth and efficient local government. From city clerk responsibilities like maintaining a record of legal documentation to overseeing elections, clerks wear many hats and play an integral role in municipal operations.

If your town is seeking a new clerk, make sure the job info is clear, detailed, and accurately reflects the varied responsibilities of the role.

As you work to hire the right people, we can provide you with a modern, high-quality municipal website to streamline communication, operations, and resources. Contact us today for a quote, and take your city’s digital presence to the next level!

If you want to know more about municipality promotion, check out our blog! We explore all kinds of topics, from government chatbots to cyber security for municipalities.