Location
Description
The Town Clerk is a key member of the Town’s Executive Team, responsible for a wide range of essential duties and responsibilities. Responsibilities include preparation of agendas, noticing, posting, and recordation of public meetings and outcomes; preparation and coordination of meeting materials; and planning and managing elections consistent with the California Elections Code.
This classification oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Town Clerk Office, including short and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the Town Council and Town Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected Town Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering Town goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Assumes full management responsibility for all Town Clerk’s Office programs, services, and activities including records management, elections administration, Town Council support, licensing, and management/support services. Manage the Council rules of procedure policy, as well as provide Council orientation and on-boarding process for incoming Councilmembers.
Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes, within agency policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies.
Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations.
Works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
Coordinates and assists in the facilitation of the Town’s Ethics and Sexual Harassment Prevention training.
Serves as the Clerk of the Town Council and Geological Hazard Abatement District; attends meetings and oversees the recording of all official proceedings; supervises the preparation of public notifications, agendas, minutes, and other documents; directs the publication, filing, indexing, and safekeeping of all proceedings of the Town Council.
Supports Town’s boards, commissions, and committees including development of enabling legislation, policies and procedures; recruitment, interview and appointment of members; management of member disclosure and training requirements; monitoring of term expirations, attendance and compliance with all applicable rules and regulations; processing resignations, removals, vacancies, and reappointments; and oversight department staff liaisons including providing resources, guidance, and training.
Administers the public hearing process for the Town Council; supervises the coordination of public hearing packets and public notices of hearings in accordance with various government code requirements and legal deadlines.
Oversees the operations of the Town-wide records management program, and records preservation and destruction; sets and ensures legal compliance retention schedules for Town records; develops and updates records retention policies and procedures; serves as the Town’s Public Records Act (PRA) administrator, including intake, tracking, coordination with departments, and timely response to public records requests, researches Town documents, historical information, and other information as needed; attests, indexes, and files all legislative actions.
Plans, manages, and conducts municipal elections and special elections; ensures compliance with the California Elections Code, Political Reform Act, and other government codes; provides candidate filing services, nomination assistance, and informational materials; maintains election documents for public inspection; oversees printing of sample ballot material; declares election results; administers and files oaths of office.
Serves as Filing Officer and Filing Official for the Political Reform Act; manages the Town’s disclosure requirements for designated employees, distributes forms and notifications; conducts required audits; advises and trains candidates, committees, and treasurers on filing requirements; determines and collects fines for late filing; ensures campaign contribution limits and other requirements are met; corresponds with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) as appropriate. Coordinate and conduct training on FPPC regulations. Manages the codification and maintenance of revisions to the Municipal Code; tracks ordinance adoption, effective dates, posting and publication requirements, and maintains historical ordinance records.
Provides contracts and agreements administration to ensure documents are signed and recorded in a timely manner, including the receipt and filing of bid documents; supervises contract bid openings and performance bonds.
Accepts and logs claims filed against the Town to record necessary information and forward for processing.
Represents the Town Clerk Office to other Town departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of municipal government.
Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect Town or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and concerns and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
Ensures staff observe and comply with all Town and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
May serve as a staff liaison to a designated committee, board, or commission within the Town.
Performs related duties as required.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have experience working with elected officials, appointed commissioners, and serve as an ambassador of the Town to the community, ensuring that the public has access to timely information, while being impartial, unbiased, even-handed, and apolitical. Strong interpersonal skills, a calm demeanor under pressure, and a customer service orientation are critical to the role of the Town Clerk. This is a great position for a Town Clerk who is interested in local government operations as the Town Clerk works collaboratively with all of the Town’s small staff.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:
- Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is desirable.
Experience:
- Four (4) years of increasingly responsible in performing complex administrative work.
Licenses and Certifications:
- Possession of a Municipal Clerk (CMC) and/or Master Municipal Clerk Certificate is preferred. Ability to receive a CMC and/or Master Municipal Clerk Certificate within two years of appointment is required.
- Certified Notary Public Commission to be obtained within one year of appointment.
- Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license.
Benefits
The Town's comprehensive benefit package currently includes:
- 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off
- Fully paid medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents
- 80-200 hours annual vacation based on years of service
- 104 hours of administrative leave per fiscal year
- 11 observed holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year
- 96 hours annual sick leave
- Town paid life, short and long-term disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Deferred Compensation program
- CALPERS retirement plan 2% @ 55 for Classic members; 2% @ 62 for new (PEPRA) members
Please note that the Town does not participate in Social Security.
Special Instructions
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply immediately for initial consideration.