Our ideal candidate has a passion for community. They are an experienced leader with high emotional intelligence, strong communications abilities and stellar interpersonal skills. The City Clerk will have a customer-focused mentality and serve as a vital resource to the public, city leadership and members of the City Council. They will serve as the Elections Officer for the city, so an ideal candidate will be well-versed in elections administration. It will also be important for the candidate to be highly self-organized, possess a keen ability to adapt, and have the ability to leverage technology to streamline processes.
About the City Clerk
The City Clerk, appointed by the City Council, serves as the city’s official records custodian. That includes maintaining the Surprise City Code, council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts/agreements, deeds and easements, leases, insurance certificates, bonds, annexation documents, liquor license postings and notifications, notarized affidavits of publications, meeting and agenda postings. The City Clerk affixes the Surprise City Seal on all official documents.
The City Clerk also serves as the City’s Chief Elections Officer; administers City Council Meetings and attests to all official acts of the Mayor posting meeting notices, advertising public hearings and handles the administrative duties for the Boards and Commission application process including advertising vacant positions, collecting applications and setting up interviews.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration or related field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience directly related to municipal clerk operations, municipal elections, campaign finance, passport operations, records management, or other related experience. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education. Additional education cannot be substituted for experience. Advanced degree preferred.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS None. Certified Municipal Clerk, Master Municipal Clerk or Election Officer certification is preferred.