$77,052 - $113,832 annually
Plus excellent benefits!
Apply by July 9, 2025, applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
THE CITY
San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment.
With a population of approximately 60,000, San Rafael is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and an annual budget in fiscal year 2024-2025 of approximately $180 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity.
San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are our greatest assets, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.
THE DEPARTMENT
The City Clerk’s Office in San Rafael is led by a full-time, elected City Clerk who also serves as Department Head, supported by two Deputy City Clerks. Together, this team plays a vital role in promoting transparent, accessible, and responsive local government. As the official custodian of records, the Office is committed to preserving the integrity of the public record and ensuring open access to information -empowering residents to engage fully in civic life.
With a commitment to equity, inclusion, and accountability, the City Clerk’s Office serves as a bridge between the public and city government. The Office supports the democratic process by managing City Council agendas and minutes, overseeing public records requests, coordinating local elections, and ensuring compliance with open meeting laws such as the Brown Act.
Grounded in the principles of good governance, the City Clerk’s Office works collaboratively across departments and with community stakeholders to uphold transparency, foster public trust, and facilitate broad civic participation. Through its work, the Office contributes to a more informed, inclusive, and engaged San Rafael.
IDEAL CANDIDATE AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The City Clerk’s Office is seeking a full-time Deputy City Clerk to join a dedicated team committed to transparency, civic engagement, and exceptional public service. This position provides professional-level support to the City Clerk and other City departments, with responsibilities spanning public records management, legislative support, and compliance with open government laws. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of the following skills and experience:
- Strong knowledge of the California Public Records Act (CPRA), including experience reviewing, redacting, and releasing public records in compliance with legal requirements.
- Familiarity with the Brown Act, Political Reform Act, and other regulations governing local government transparency and ethics
- Proficiency in records and agenda management systems, document imaging software, and digital workflow tools.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate meeting agendas, minutes, and official records.
- A high degree of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- A collaborative, service-oriented approach to working with the public, elected officials, and staff across departments.
- Discretion, sound judgment, and a strong sense of professional ethics.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about open government, civic access, and high-quality public service.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to - view the full job spec HERE)
- In the absence of the City Clerk, functions as the City Clerk, attends City Council meetings and perform all of the duties of holding a public meeting, including facilitating public comment, calling roll for Council votes, etc.
- Ensures adherence to established Council meeting procedures and rules; processes Council actions in the form of resolutions and ordinances; performs research, data gathering and analysis for written reports to the City Clerk.
- Prepares Council Chambers or other rooms for meetings.
- Generates Action Agendas and finalizes official minutes. • Processes and responds to Public Records Act (PRA) requests.
- Plans, organizes, develops, implements and administers the City-wide records management system.
- Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the department.
- Participates in the development and administration of the department's budget.
- Maintains current knowledge of new trends and innovations in the field of records management.
- Answers telephone calls, responds to email, researches records and retrieves information for general public, City Council and City staff.
- Prepares agenda packets, hard copy and electronically, for Council meetings.
- Files and indexes official City records as prescribed.
- Maintains other City and departmental records and files.
- In the absence of the City Clerk administers oaths of office, acts as Notary Public and certifies official City records.
- May be required to work evenings and/or irregular work hours.
- Makes recommendations regarding office procedures and processes, including technology, to improve workflow and implements improvements subsequent to approval.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
The City Clerk’s Office is leading several key initiatives to modernize and streamline city operations. Upcoming projects include:
- Implementing a City-wide records management program
- Transitioning to a paperless office
- Launching agenda management software
- Conducting a comprehensive cleanup of the Municipal Code and City Charter.
These efforts reflect the City’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and innovation—making this an exciting time to join the team.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Deputy City Clerk I: Equivalent to AA degree and three years of progressively responsible experience using state of the art technology in a local government agency, preferably in a City Clerk’s Office.
Deputy City Clerk II: in addition to the requirements for the Deputy City Clerk I, this level requires at least 4 years of experience as a Deputy City Clerk I or demonstrated ability to successfully complete the essential duties and responsibilities at the full journey level with a high degree of autonomy. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Certified Municipal Clerk designation preferred.
Both levels: Commission as a Notary Public in the State of California within six months of appointment
BENEFITS
This position is a regular position of the City’s SEIU Local 1021 employee group and is eligible to receive benefits including but not limited to:
- MEDICAL | City group health coverage, with the City paying a fixed dollar amount toward the cost of the monthly insurance premium: Employee only: $950.00 | Employee plus one: $1,900.00 | Family: $2,400.00
- DENTAL | Premium fully paid for employee plus eligible dependents.
- VISION | Premium fully paid for employee.
- VACATION LEAVE | 10 days annually, increases after 3 years of service
- SICK LEAVE | 12 days annually
- HOLIDAYS | 12 paid City holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year
- BEREAVEMENT LEAVE | Up to 5 days paid leave
- PAID PARENTAL LEAVE (if eligible) | Up to 300 hours paid leave. SRMMEA employees also contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI).
- LIFE INSURANCE & AD&D | $20,000 Life policy and $20,000 AD&D policy
- LONG TERM DISABILITY | 66.67%
- END OF LIFE CARE LEAVE | Up to 80 ho
- of salary, up to $1,000 per month
- RETIREMENT | Enrollment in the Marin County Retirement System (MCERA) pension plan, a defined benefit retirement program
- Tier 2 - hired on or after 7/1/2011: 2% @ 55, Average of 3 highest years
- Tier 3 PEPRA - hired on or after 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62, Average of 3 highest years
- GYM MEMBERSHIP REIMBURSEMENT | Up to $198 per year
- BILINGUAL PAY (if eligible) | Up to $250 per month
Join the City of San Rafael’s dedicated team and help strengthen open government, transparency, and civic engagement in our vibrant community. As the Deputy City Clerk, you will play a key role in managing official records, supporting legislative processes, and enhancing public access to information. Your work will help modernize core government functions and ensure that residents stay informed and engaged. Be part of building a more accessible, responsive, and innovative San Rafael—one record, meeting, and policy at a time!
