Confidential Clerk – City Council

Job Description

The city of Watertown seeks a qualified candidate who will provide clerical support to the city’s nine member elected City Council. Working under the general direction of the City Council President, this professional will be responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical duties to assist and support the City Council in discharging its functions. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work independently with a high degree of accuracy, to prepare agendas, meeting materials, minutes and reports, to work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines like the open meeting law, to communicate effectively and provide excellent customer service skills. Attendance at evening meetings is required.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Clerking City Council meetings: attend City Council meeting; prepare agendas, meeting materials, and minutes.
• Communication: Develop collegial working relationships with the nine City Council members city administration employees and the city’s multi-member boards, committees, and commissions. Develop relationships with relevant professional organizations such as the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and Massachusetts Municipal Association as well as with peer staff in other municipalities.
• Special Projects: As assigned by the City Council President

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, public administration, or other relevant field and a minimum of four years of relevant experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Must be available to attend evening Committee or City Council meetings twice a month and other night meetings as needed.

Strong verbal and written communication skills. Good working knowledge of standard computer programs and productivity tools used in business, i.e. word processing, spreadsheets, slide writing, cloud-based file management. Strong organizational skills and self-management skills; a high degree of initiative. Capable of developing collaborative and collegial working relationships.

TERMS/HOURS: This is a 23 hour/week, non-union/confidential position. Part of those weekly hours will consist of attending night meetings. Being present in the office at City Hall is mandatory but the hours are flexible, open for discussion, and may be flexed based on evening meeting requirements.

SALARY: The FY27 anticipated hiring range for this position is $35.41 to $38.33 an hour. Per M.G.L, the full 15 step range, is $35.41 to $46.73 Starting above Step 1 is dependent on qualifications and experience