City Clerk

Job Overview

Join to apply for the City Clerk role at City of Portland, Maine
. The City of Portland is seeking its next City Clerk to serve its diverse community. As a key member of the City’s leadership team, the Clerk reports directly to the nine-member City Council, including the Mayor. The City Clerk is responsible for managing the operations of the City Clerk’s Office, attending and facilitating all City Council meetings, managing membership of boards and commissions, and maintaining records of official acts of the Council.

The Clerk also manages voter registration and elections, including ranked‑choice elections, administers the City’s Clean Elections Fund, issues state and local licenses and permits, and maintains vital records of City residents.

• Attend and facilitate all City Council meetings.
• Manage membership of boards and commissions.
• Maintain records of official acts of the Council.
• Manage voter registration and elections, including ranked‑choice elections.
• Administer the City’s Clean Elections Fund.
• Issue state and local licenses and permits.
• Maintain vital records of City residents, including birth and death records.

• Ten years of professional experience in the municipal field, including at least five years in a leadership role with significant supervisory and administrative responsibilities.
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• Certified Clerk of Maine and Certified Municipal Clerk under the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, or the ability to obtain both certifications within two years of employment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of parliamentary procedures, state statutes relating to City Clerk duties, recordkeeping best practices, budgeting, personnel management, and strategic planning and management.
• Excellent ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Councilors, the Mayor, other City officials and employees, and the general public.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to speak effectively with the public and the media.
• Excellent technology skills and commitment to using digital tools to increase civic engagement. Proficiency in web‑based technical software applications, Microsoft Office, Google G‑Suite, and ability to learn the City’s agenda management, boards and commissions, and election tools.
• Ability to work extended hours and travel within the City during elections.
• Must be a United States citizen and resident of Maine.
• Experience in ranked choice voting highly desirable.

The City Clerk’s salary is set annually by the City Council, with a starting range of $130,000 per year, dependent on experience. The City offers a generous benefits package, including:

• Free employee health insurance (upon completion of wellness incentives)
• Thirteen paid holidays
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
• Life, dental, vision, and income protection insurances
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
• Use of City recreation facilities
• Fitness reimbursement
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College
• Relocation assistance available, if applicable

Please review our Recruitment Brochure for additional information about the City of Portland, the City Clerk role, and expectations.

This position is open until filled; however, a first review of resumes will occur on January 2, 2026.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

For questions or application assistance, please email Human Resources at jobs or call .

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call  or email hrinfo.