Principal Clerk

Statement of Duties:

Responsible for assisting the Director of Finance and Administration in the administration of the Water and Sewer Department through administrative and clerical functions. Performs all other related duties that may be assigned.

• Performs a variety of clerical duties according to standard office procedures.
• Completes deposit and billing activities.
• Responsible for intaking customer issues and responding appropriately, including but not limited to referring matter to the crew supervisor. In urgent situations, responsible for contacting foremen or working foremen to ensure timely dispatch.
• Uses departmental software.
• Maintains confidentially and discretion in the performance of duties.
• Routes and time stamps U.S. mail and packages and interdepartmental mail to the appropriate department staff.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable Federal, State, regional, City, and Department regulations and policies.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, and the general public.
• At the Water & Sewer Director’s (or designee’s) direction, may support Department of Public Works administrative staff.
• Trains other clerical staff in the water / sewer department as necessary.

• Knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment.
• Ability to comply with applicable regulations and policies.
• Ability to utilize a variety of software systems including but not limited to Microsoft Office; MUNIS experience preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Ability to operate telephone and standard office equipment.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude, problem solve, and utilize common sense.
• Ability to perform work tasks with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing.
• Ability to occasionally lift objects such as books, office equipment, and computer paper up to 30 pounds.
• Organizational and interpersonal skills.

Entrance Requirements:

• Graduation from a high school or vocational school, or equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of experience in an office setting; preference for experience working with public utilities.

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Typically, little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with minimal stooping and standing for filing and archiving duties. There is also lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs).

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job requires minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting.

Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes.
Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $1,115.31 weekly, plus benefits
Union: SMEU B
Date Posted: July 30th, 2026

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written…