FirstHR

City Clerk Job Description: 6 Templates

Free city clerk job description templates: general, deputy, assistant, town, village, and senior municipal clerk, with open-government notes.

Nick Anisimov

Nick Anisimov

FirstHR Founder

Hiring
16 min

City Clerk Job Description Templates

6 free templates across general, deputy, assistant, town, village, and senior municipal clerk, with the open-government compliance and classification notes the generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.

A city clerk job description is unusual among hiring templates because the role is purely governmental. A city clerk is the official keeper of a municipality's records, and the job comes wrapped in open-meetings law, public-records obligations, election duties, and a civil-service or elected classification. The generic templates strip all of that out and post a government office as if it were a private admin job.

These six templates keep the government context in: general, deputy, assistant, town/township, village, and senior municipal clerk versions, each with the compliance and classification notes a municipality actually needs. For the fundamentals of structuring any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.

TL;DR
A city clerk is the municipal government officer who keeps a city's records, runs council agendas and minutes, administers elections, and issues licenses. It is a public-sector role (civil service, appointed, or elected), governed by open-meetings and public-records law, and most clerk-level positions are non-exempt. Distinct from county and court clerks. Download six templates as DOCX.

What a City Clerk Does

A city clerk is the official keeper of municipal records and a central administrative officer of the city: preparing council agendas and minutes, maintaining official records, administering municipal elections, issuing licenses and permits, and ensuring compliance with open-meetings and open-records laws.

The federal occupation group is 43-4031 Court, Municipal, and License Clerks, and the primary employer is local government. There is essentially no private-sector version of the role, which shapes how the position is hired and classified.

City Clerk vs County Clerk vs Court Clerk

Before writing anything, confirm you mean a city clerk, because the title is easily confused with two other government records roles at different levels.

City clerk
Municipal records officer
The official keeper of a city's records, who runs council agendas and minutes, elections, and licensing. A municipal government role. The one these templates cover.
County clerk
Separate role
Keeps county-level records such as property deeds, business filings, and vital records, for a county rather than a city. A different office; use a county clerk posting.
Court clerk
Separate role
Works within the court system, managing dockets, case files, and court proceedings. A judicial-branch role, not a municipal one; hire with a court clerk job description.
Match the Posting to the Office
A city clerk keeps a municipality's records and supports the council. A county clerk keeps county records like deeds and vital records. A court clerk manages case files in the court system. These are separate offices with different employers and classifications, so use a city clerk template only for a municipal clerk role.

City Clerk Duties and Responsibilities

A city clerk's duties cluster into four areas: records and documents, council and meetings, elections and licensing, and open-government compliance. The scope scales with the municipality, from a single part-time clerk in a village to a full office in a large city.

Records and documents
Keep and certify official records
Maintain ordinances and the code
Manage records retention
Council and meetings
Prepare and post agendas
Take and maintain minutes
Support the council or board
Elections and licensing
Administer municipal elections
Maintain voter records
Issue licenses and permits
Open-government compliance
Respond to public records requests
Ensure open-meetings compliance
Meet open-records obligations

For a structured way to scope the duties before posting, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.

The Clerk Roles Compared

Here is how the three government clerk roles differ across the dimensions that matter for hiring and posting the right position.

City clerkCounty clerkCourt clerk
Government levelCity / municipalityCountyCourt system
KeepsMunicipal records, minutesDeeds, vital, business recordsCase files, dockets
Elections roleOften yes (municipal)Often yes (county)No
Reports toCouncil, mayor, managerCounty board or electedCourt administration
Same SERP?Head termSeparateSeparate

The takeaway: these are distinct government offices. A city clerk posting should be written for the municipal records role specifically, not blended with county or court clerk duties.

Which Template Should You Use?

Pick the template by your government type and the level of the position: general for a standard city clerk, deputy for a clerk's deputy, assistant for an advanced classification, town/township or village for those governments, and senior municipal clerk for a certified office lead. Use this guide to choose.

City Clerk
General baseline
The general municipal version, covering records, council support, elections, licensing, and open-government compliance.
Deputy City Clerk
Acts for the clerk
For a deputy who supports the clerk and performs the clerk's duties in the clerk's absence, often with delegated authority.
Assistant City Clerk
Advanced, may supervise
For an advanced classification that owns specific programs and may supervise clerical staff.
Town / Township Clerk
Town or township
For the same functions in a town or township government, often elected and sometimes part-time.
Village Clerk
Small municipality
For a small village where one clerk handles the full range of duties, frequently part-time.
Municipal Clerk (Senior)
Certified, leads office
For a senior, CMC or MMC-certified clerk who leads the office and supervises deputy and assistant clerks.
Match the Template to the Municipality
A standard city role: the general City Clerk. A deputy who acts for the clerk: Deputy. An advanced classification that may supervise: Assistant. A town or township government: Town / Township Clerk. A small village, often part-time: Village Clerk. A certified office lead: senior Municipal Clerk. Every version is a government role; state the classification and compliance duties.

6 Free City Clerk Job Description Templates

Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: municipality overview, position summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a compliance note, and how to apply. Every template prompts for the classification, FLSA status, and open-government duties. Fill in the brackets and post through your official process.

Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, deputy, assistant, town/township, village, and senior municipal clerk. All in one DOCX.

Template 1: City Clerk (General)

The general municipal version, covering records, council support, elections, licensing, and open-government compliance.

City Clerk Job Description
CITY CLERK JOB DESCRIPTION
Municipality: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [City Council / Mayor / City Manager]
Employment type: Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (confirm by duties and pay)
Classification: [Civil service / appointed / elected]
Compensation: $_____ per year

ABOUT [MUNICIPALITY NAME]

The City of [Name] is a municipal government in [State] serving [population]
residents. We are hiring a City Clerk to serve as the official record-keeper of
the city and to support the city council and city operations.

POSITION SUMMARY

The City Clerk is the official keeper of municipal records and a central
administrative officer of the city: preparing council agendas and minutes,
maintaining official records, administering municipal elections, issuing
licenses and permits, and ensuring compliance with open-meetings and
open-records laws.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepare, post, and maintain city council agendas and minutes
Serve as the official custodian of municipal records
Administer and support municipal elections
Issue licenses, permits, and certifications
Respond to public records requests
Ensure compliance with open-meetings and open-records laws
Maintain ordinances, resolutions, and the municipal code
Attest and certify official city documents

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma required; associate or bachelor's preferred
Municipal, clerical, or records-management experience
Knowledge of open-meetings and public-records laws
Strong organization, recordkeeping, and communication skills
Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) credential a plus

COMPLIANCE NOTE (read before posting)

This is a municipal government position. Classification (civil service,
appointed, or elected), FLSA status, union or collective-bargaining coverage,
pension eligibility, and any veterans' preference follow your state and local
rules. Most clerk-level roles are non-exempt, but confirm by duties and pay.
Post through your jurisdiction's required process. This is general information,
not legal advice.

EEO STATEMENT

The City of [Name] is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable
accommodations for the essential functions of this role.

COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY

Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, follow the city's official application process at _.

Template 2: Deputy City Clerk

For a deputy who supports the clerk and performs the clerk's duties in the clerk's absence, often with delegated authority.

Deputy City Clerk Job Description
DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOB DESCRIPTION
Municipality: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [City Clerk]
Employment type: Full-time / Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt
Classification: [Civil service / appointed]
Compensation: $_____ per [year / hour]

ABOUT THIS ROLE

A deputy city clerk supports the city clerk and performs the clerk's duties in
the clerk's absence, often with delegated authority to certify documents and run
day-to-day clerk operations.

POSITION SUMMARY

The City of [Name] is hiring a Deputy City Clerk to support the City Clerk and
act for the clerk when needed. You will help prepare agendas and minutes,
maintain records, support elections and licensing, respond to records requests,
and ensure continuity of clerk functions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist with council agendas, minutes, and records
Perform the city clerk's duties in the clerk's absence
Maintain and retrieve official municipal records
Support election administration and licensing
Process and respond to public records requests
Help ensure open-meetings and open-records compliance
Certify documents under delegated authority
Provide front-counter service to the public

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma required; coursework or associate preferred
Clerical, administrative, or municipal experience
Familiarity with public-records and open-meetings rules
Accuracy, discretion, and strong organization
Willingness to pursue CMC certification

COMPLIANCE NOTE

Municipal government position; non-exempt. Classification, union coverage,
pension, and any veterans' preference follow your state and local rules.
Delegated certification authority should be documented per your charter or
ordinance. This is general information, not legal advice.

EEO STATEMENT

The City of [Name] is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable
accommodations for the essential functions of this role.

COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY

Compensation: $_____ per [year / hour]
To apply, follow the city's official application process at _.
Still Using Spreadsheets for Onboarding?
Automate documents, training assignments, task management, and track onboarding progress in real time.
See How It Works

Template 3: Assistant City Clerk

For an advanced classification that owns specific programs and may supervise clerical staff.

Assistant City Clerk Job Description
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK JOB DESCRIPTION
Municipality: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [City Clerk]
Employment type: Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt
Classification: [Civil service]
Compensation: $_____ per year

ABOUT THIS ROLE

An assistant city clerk is an advanced professional classification in the clerk's
office that may supervise clerical staff and own specific records, election, or
licensing functions, distinct from a deputy who primarily acts for the clerk.

POSITION SUMMARY

The City of [Name] is hiring an Assistant City Clerk to handle advanced clerk's
office functions and support the City Clerk. You will manage records programs,
support elections and licensing, may supervise clerical staff, and help ensure
the office meets its legal obligations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage assigned records, election, or licensing programs
Prepare and maintain council agendas, minutes, and documents
May supervise and train clerical staff
Process public records requests and ensure retention compliance
Support open-meetings and open-records compliance
Maintain ordinances, resolutions, and the municipal code
Coordinate with departments and the public
Support the City Clerk on special projects

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma required; associate or bachelor's often preferred
Progressively responsible municipal or clerical experience
Working knowledge of records, election, and open-meetings law
Supervisory ability and strong organization
CMC certification preferred or required by some employers

COMPLIANCE NOTE

Municipal government position; non-exempt. Classification, union coverage,
pension, and any veterans' preference follow your state and local rules.
Supervisory duties should be reflected in the official classification. This is
general information, not legal advice.

EEO STATEMENT

The City of [Name] is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable
accommodations for the essential functions of this role.

COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY

Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, follow the city's official application process at _.

Template 4: Town / Township Clerk

For the same functions in a town or township government, often elected and sometimes part-time.

Town / Township Clerk Job Description
TOWN / TOWNSHIP CLERK JOB DESCRIPTION
Municipality: __ ([Town/Township, State])
Reports to: [Town Board / Select Board / Township Trustees]
Employment type: Full-time / Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (confirm by duties)
Classification: [Appointed / elected]
Compensation: $_____ per [year / hour]

ABOUT THIS ROLE

A town or township clerk performs the same core record-keeping, meeting, and
election functions as a city clerk, within a town or township government. In
many states the role is elected and may be part-time.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Town of [Name] is hiring a Town Clerk to serve as the official record-keeper
and to support the town board. You will keep official records, prepare meeting
agendas and minutes, administer elections, issue licenses, and ensure compliance
with open-meetings and records laws.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Keep and certify official town or township records
Prepare and post board meeting agendas and minutes
Administer local elections and voter records
Issue licenses and permits as authorized
Respond to public records requests
Maintain ordinances and the official code
Support the town or township board
Ensure open-meetings and records compliance

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma required
Recordkeeping, clerical, or municipal experience
Familiarity with state town/township and elections law
Strong organization and public-service orientation
CMC certification a plus

COMPLIANCE NOTE

Town or township government position. In many states this role is elected and
governed by state town/township statutes; classification, FLSA status, and any
pension or union coverage vary. Many are part-time. Confirm your state's rules.
This is general information, not legal advice.

EEO STATEMENT

The Town of [Name] is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable
accommodations for the essential functions of this role.

COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY

Compensation: $_____ per [year / hour]
To apply, follow the town's official application process at _.
Companies Using FirstHR Onboard 3x Faster
Join hundreds of small businesses who transformed their new hire experience.
See It in Action

Template 5: Village Clerk (Small Municipality)

For a small village where one clerk handles the full range of duties, frequently part-time.

Village Clerk (Small Municipality) Job Description
VILLAGE CLERK JOB DESCRIPTION (SMALL MUNICIPALITY)
Municipality: __ ([Village, State])
Reports to: [Village Board / Mayor]
Employment type: Part-time / Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt
Classification: [Appointed / elected]
Compensation: $_____ per [year / hour]

ABOUT THIS ROLE

A village clerk in a small municipality often handles the full range of clerk
duties single-handedly, frequently part-time, covering records, meetings,
elections, and licensing for a small community.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Village of [Name] is hiring a Village Clerk to serve as the village's
official record-keeper and administrative officer. In this small-office role you
will personally handle records, meeting agendas and minutes, elections,
licensing, and public records requests, and support the village board.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Keep and certify all official village records
Prepare, post, and maintain board agendas and minutes
Administer village elections and voter records
Issue licenses and permits
Handle public records requests directly
Maintain ordinances and the village code
Manage correspondence and basic office finances
Support the village board and serve residents

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma required
Clerical or administrative experience; municipal experience a plus
Ability to work independently across many functions
Familiarity with open-meetings and records basics
Reliability and strong organization

COMPLIANCE NOTE

Small municipal government position, frequently part-time and sometimes elected.
Even a one-person village office is a government body subject to open-meetings,
records-retention, and elections rules. Classification, FLSA, and any pension
follow state and local rules. Confirm before posting. This is general
information, not legal advice.

EEO STATEMENT

The Village of [Name] is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable
accommodations for the essential functions of this role.

COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY

Compensation: $_____ per [year / hour]
To apply, follow the village's official application process at _.

Template 6: Municipal Clerk (Senior / Certified)

For a senior, CMC or MMC-certified clerk who leads the office and supervises deputy and assistant clerks.

Municipal Clerk (Senior / Certified) Job Description
MUNICIPAL CLERK (SENIOR / CERTIFIED) JOB DESCRIPTION
Municipality: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [City Manager / Council]
Employment type: Full-time
FLSA status: Confirm by duties and pay
Classification: [Civil service / appointed]
Compensation: $_____ per year

ABOUT THIS ROLE

A senior or certified municipal clerk leads the clerk's office for a larger
municipality, often holding a CMC or Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) credential and
supervising deputy and assistant clerks.

POSITION SUMMARY

The City of [Name] is hiring a senior Municipal Clerk to lead the clerk's office.
You will own the city's records, elections, and legislative-support functions,
supervise clerk's office staff, ensure full legal compliance, and serve as a
senior advisor on municipal procedure.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the clerk's office and supervise deputy and assistant clerks
Own records management and retention compliance
Direct municipal election administration
Manage council agendas, minutes, and legislative records
Ensure open-meetings and public-records compliance
Advise officials on municipal procedure and parliamentary process
Oversee licensing and permit programs
Maintain the municipal code and official documents

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Associate or bachelor's degree often required; MPA a plus
Extensive municipal clerk experience, including supervision
CMC required; MMC preferred
Deep knowledge of elections, records, and open-government law
Leadership, communication, and procedural expertise

COMPLIANCE NOTE

Municipal government leadership position. Exempt status depends on actual
supervisory and administrative duties and pay; confirm rather than assuming.
Classification, union coverage, pension, and veterans' preference follow state
and local rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

EEO STATEMENT

The City of [Name] is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable
accommodations for the essential functions of this role.

COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY

Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, follow the city's official application process at _.

Government Compliance Every Posting Should Include

A city clerk role is defined by government-specific compliance, which is exactly what the generic templates leave out. These four areas belong in any municipal clerk posting.

Open-meetings and open-records laws
A city clerk sits at the center of government transparency law, and the job description should say so. Every state has an open-meetings law and a public-records (or freedom-of-information) law, and some have named statutes such as California's Brown Act and Public Records Act, that govern how meetings are noticed, how minutes are kept, and how the public can request records. The clerk typically posts agendas within required deadlines, records and maintains minutes, and processes records requests within statutory timeframes. These duties are legal obligations with real consequences for the municipality if missed, which is why they belong front and center in the posting rather than buried, and why municipal clerk roles look quite different from a private-sector clerk role. This is general information, not legal advice.
Election administration and records retention
In many municipalities the clerk administers or supports local elections, which brings its own body of state election law covering candidate filings, ballots, voter records, and certification, alongside strict records-retention schedules that dictate how long different municipal documents must be kept and when they may be destroyed. Retention rules are usually set by state law or a state archives authority and are not optional. A clear job description names the election responsibilities and the retention obligations so candidates understand the legal weight of the role, and so the municipality can show it has assigned these duties. This is general information, not legal advice.
Civil-service classification and certification
Municipal positions are typically governed by a classification system rather than an at-will private-sector arrangement, and a clerk role may be civil service, appointed, or, in many towns and villages, elected. The classification affects hiring procedure, tenure, and discipline, and it should be stated in the posting. On the professional side, the recognized credential is the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), with the Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) as an advanced designation, offered through the clerks' professional association; many employers prefer or require certification for senior roles. Naming the classification and any required or preferred certification helps attract qualified municipal candidates. This is general information, not legal advice.
FLSA, union coverage, and government benefits
Pay and classification for a clerk follow public-sector rules. Most clerk-level positions are non-exempt under the FLSA and therefore overtime-eligible, though a senior municipal clerk who primarily manages an office and supervises staff may qualify as exempt; confirm by the actual duties and pay rather than the title. Many municipal roles are also covered by collective-bargaining agreements and by public pension systems, and some jurisdictions apply veterans' preference in hiring. These public-sector features, civil service, unions, pensions, and procurement-driven hiring, are why municipalities run on government-specific HR systems rather than general small-business tools. This is general information, not legal advice.

For the underlying rules, the DOL covers the FLSA exemptions that determine overtime status, and the exempt versus non-exempt guide explains how to confirm a clerk role's classification.

A Government Role, Not a Private-Sector Hire
A city clerk is hired by a municipality and governed by civil-service, open-government, and records-retention rules, which is why municipalities use government-specific HR and records systems. FirstHR is built for private small businesses and is not a municipal or civil-service platform; these templates are offered as a free starting point for the job description itself. This is general information, not legal advice.

Skills and Qualifications

Clerk roles start from a diploma plus recordkeeping ability, with degree and certification expectations rising for senior municipal positions. Match the requirements to the level.

RequirementWhat to know
EducationHigh school diploma; degree preferred for larger cities
ExperienceClerical, administrative, or municipal records
CertificationCMC recognized; MMC for senior roles
Legal knowledgeOpen-meetings, public-records, elections law
Core skillsOrganization, accuracy, discretion, communication
ClassificationCivil service, appointed, or elected; often non-exempt

Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that indicate a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.

City Clerk Pay

Pay varies widely by the size of the municipality and the region, and follows public-sector pay structures.

Pay Varies by Municipality Size
The national median wage for court, municipal, and license clerks was about $47,700 a year (roughly $22.93 an hour) as of May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under about $34,860 and the highest 10 percent over about $72,370 (O*NET / My Next Move, BLS data).

Clerks in large cities and senior certified clerks earn well above the median, while small-town and village clerks are often part-time and paid accordingly. Pay reflects public-sector structures, including civil-service scales, pensions, and sometimes union agreements. For a posting, benchmark to comparable municipalities of your size and region, use your jurisdiction's pay classification, and provide a good-faith range where pay transparency rules apply. National compensation surveys are a useful cross-reference.

Hiring a City Clerk

Hiring a city clerk is a government process from start to finish, and that shapes the posting, the classification, and the tools a municipality uses. Here is what actually matters.

A city clerk is a government role, so a small municipality is still a public body, not a private business
It helps to be clear about what a city clerk is before writing the posting: it is a municipal government position, the official keeper of a city's records, and it exists only inside city, town, township, or village government. Even the smallest village with a one-person office is a unit of government, not a private small business, which means it operates under rules that private employers do not face: civil-service or elected classifications, open-meetings and public-records law, records-retention schedules, and often collective bargaining and public pensions. That distinction shapes everything about hiring for the role, from how the job is classified to how it must be posted, and it is why a city clerk posting reads very differently from a private-sector clerk or administrative job.
The compliance and classification details are the heart of the posting, and they are public-sector specific
For a clerk role, the legal and classification details are not boilerplate; they are the substance of the job. The posting should name the open-meetings and public-records obligations, the election and records-retention duties, the civil-service or elected classification, the FLSA status (most clerk-level roles are non-exempt and overtime-eligible), and any union coverage, pension eligibility, or veterans' preference that applies. These are the things a qualified municipal candidate looks for and the things your jurisdiction has to get right. The templates here build those elements in as prompts to complete, so the posting reflects the public-sector reality of the role rather than a generic clerk description that misses what the job actually requires.
Municipalities use government-specific systems, not general small-business HR tools
Because the role carries civil-service rules, union contracts, public pensions, veterans' preference, and procurement-driven hiring, municipalities generally run on HR and records systems built specifically for government rather than on general small-business software. A city clerk posting, the hiring process behind it, and the records the clerk maintains all live in that public-sector context. FirstHR is built for private small businesses (onboarding, e-signature, document management, training, and a simple HRIS), and it is not a government civil-service or municipal-records platform, so for a municipal clerk hire the right tools are the government-specific systems your jurisdiction already uses. These templates are offered as a free, practical starting point for the job description itself, not as a municipal HR system. FirstHR does not run payroll or administer benefits.
Key Takeaways
A city clerk is a municipal government officer (the official keeper of city records) who runs council agendas and minutes, administers elections, and issues licenses; there is essentially no private-sector version.
The role is distinct from a county clerk (county records like deeds) and a court clerk (judicial case files); use the right posting for each office.
Open-meetings law, public-records law, and records-retention requirements are core duties and belong front and center in the posting.
Classification matters: a clerk may be civil service, appointed, or elected, and town and village clerks are often part-time and elected.
Most clerk-level roles are non-exempt and overtime-eligible; a senior clerk who manages an office and supervises staff may be exempt, confirmed by duties and pay.
Municipalities run on government-specific HR and records systems for civil service, unions, pensions, and procurement; these templates are a free starting point for the job description only.

How to Write a City Clerk Job Description

A strong municipal clerk posting confirms the office, picks the right level, names the real compliance duties, and states the classification. Here is the process the templates are built around.

1
Confirm it is a municipal clerk role
A city clerk is a municipal government role, distinct from a county clerk (county records) and a court clerk (judicial). Confirm you mean the city or municipal office.
2
Pick the template and level
General, deputy, assistant, town/township, village, or senior municipal clerk. Pick the version that matches your municipality and the position.
3
List the real duties
Records and documents, council and meetings, elections and licensing, and open-government compliance, scaled to the size of your municipality.
4
State the classification and compliance
Name whether the role is civil service, appointed, or elected, the FLSA status, and the open-meetings, public-records, and retention obligations.
5
Post through the official process
Set pay using your jurisdiction's classification, note any union, pension, or veterans' preference, and post through your required government process.

For confirming overtime status across clerk levels, the DOL FLSA exemptions overview is the authoritative reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a city clerk do?

A city clerk is the official keeper of a municipality's records and a central administrative officer of the city. The duties cluster into four areas: records and documents (keeping and certifying official records, maintaining ordinances and the municipal code, managing records retention), council and meetings (preparing and posting agendas, taking and maintaining minutes, supporting the council or board), elections and licensing (administering municipal elections, maintaining voter records, issuing licenses and permits), and open-government compliance (responding to public records requests and meeting open-meetings and open-records obligations). The clerk typically reports to the city council, mayor, or city manager. It is a municipal government role defined by recordkeeping and legal-compliance duties, which is what distinguishes it from a private-sector clerk. This page includes general, deputy, assistant, town/township, village, and senior municipal clerk templates. This is general information, not legal advice.

What is the difference between a city clerk, a county clerk, and a court clerk?

All three are government records roles, but at different levels of government. A city clerk keeps a municipality's records, prepares council agendas and minutes, administers municipal elections, and issues local licenses, reporting to the city council, mayor, or manager. A county clerk works at the county level, maintaining records such as property deeds, business filings, marriage licenses, and other vital records, and often administering county elections. A court clerk works within the judicial branch, managing case files, dockets, and court proceedings rather than legislative or municipal records. For hiring, these are separate postings with different duties, employers, and often different classifications, so use a city clerk template only for a municipal clerk role, and use a county clerk or court clerk description for those distinct offices. This is general information, not legal advice.

Is a city clerk a government job?

Yes. A city clerk is a municipal government position and exists only within city, town, township, or village government. The primary employer is local (and sometimes state) government, and there is essentially no private-sector version of the role. Even a very small village with a one-person office is a unit of government rather than a private business, which means the role operates under public-sector rules that private employers do not face: civil-service or elected classifications, open-meetings and public-records law, records-retention requirements, and frequently collective bargaining and public pension systems. This matters for hiring because the posting must reflect that government context, including the classification, the legal compliance duties, and the official application process, rather than reading like a private-sector administrative job. This is general information, not legal advice.

Is a city clerk position elected or appointed?

It depends on the jurisdiction, and the posting should state which applies. In some municipalities the city clerk is an elected official chosen by voters; in others the clerk is appointed by the city council, mayor, or city manager; and in many it is a civil-service position filled through a competitive hiring process. Town, township, and village clerks are frequently elected, sometimes part-time. The classification matters because it affects how the position is filled, the term and tenure, how discipline or removal works, and whether civil-service protections apply, so a job posting for an appointed or civil-service clerk reads differently from a notice for an elected office. Confirm your jurisdiction's charter or ordinances to state the classification correctly in the posting. This is general information, not legal advice.

Is a city clerk exempt or non-exempt from overtime?

Most clerk-level positions are non-exempt under the FLSA, meaning hourly or salaried but overtime-eligible for hours worked over 40 in a week. The role's primary duties are typically recordkeeping, administrative, and public-service tasks that do not meet the executive, administrative, or professional exemption tests. A senior or certified municipal clerk who primarily manages the clerk's office and supervises deputy and assistant clerks may qualify as exempt under the executive or administrative exemption, but that turns on the actual duties and pay, not on the title or on being salaried. Public employers also have specific FLSA provisions, such as the ability to provide compensatory time off in place of overtime pay under certain conditions. Classify each clerk role by its real duties and pay, and confirm against federal and any stricter state rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

What qualifications and certifications does a city clerk need?

The baseline for many clerk roles is a high school diploma with relevant clerical, administrative, or municipal experience, though larger cities often prefer or require an associate or bachelor's degree, and some senior roles look for a public administration background. The recognized professional credential is the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), with the Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) as an advanced designation, both offered through the clerks' professional association; many employers prefer certification and some require it for senior positions. Beyond credentials, the role needs strong organization and recordkeeping, accuracy and discretion with official documents, knowledge of open-meetings and public-records law, and clear communication with officials and the public. Match the requirements to the level: a village clerk role can be more flexible on formal education, while a senior municipal clerk role typically expects a degree, experience, and certification. This is general information, not legal advice.

How much does a city clerk make?

Pay for a city clerk varies widely by the size of the municipality and the region. The national median wage for the broader occupational group of court, municipal, and license clerks was about $47,700 a year (roughly $22.93 an hour) as of May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under about $34,860 and the highest 10 percent over about $72,370. Clerks in large cities, and senior or certified municipal clerks who lead an office, commonly earn well above the median, while clerks in small towns and villages are often part-time and paid accordingly. Pay also reflects the public-sector compensation structure, including civil-service pay scales, pension benefits, and sometimes union agreements. For a posting, benchmark to comparable municipalities of your size and region, use your jurisdiction's pay classification, and provide a good-faith range where pay transparency rules apply. National compensation surveys are a useful cross-reference. This is general information, not legal advice.

Do small towns and villages hire city clerks, and how?

Yes. Small towns and villages do hire clerks, and in many of them the clerk role is part-time and sometimes elected, with one person handling the full range of records, meetings, elections, and licensing duties. The process is still a government process: the position carries a classification (civil service, appointed, or elected), it must be posted and filled according to the jurisdiction's rules, and it is subject to open-meetings, public-records, and records-retention law regardless of how small the community is. A small municipality should write a clear job description that names the duties and the compliance obligations, state the classification and whether the role is part-time, and follow its official hiring and posting procedures. Because the role is governed by public-sector rules rather than private-business practices, even a tiny village runs the hire through government channels rather than general small-business tools. This is general information, not legal advice.

Ready to transform your onboarding?

7-day free trial No credit card required
Start Your Free Trial