Clerk of Committees

Statement of Duties

The Clerk of Committees attends all assigned City Council meetings and committee meetings. The Clerk of Committees takes notes at committee meetings and Council meetings and prepares reports of such meetings. The Clerk of Committees operates audio/video equipment used for recording meetings, and prepares orders, resolutions, and other items for inclusion into the City Council agendas, when needed. The Clerk of Committees provides technical assistance to committees with respect to parliamentary procedure, the rules of the City Council, and applicable laws, as needed.

The Clerk of Committees assists the City Clerk in managing and implementing the actions of the City Council, and performs such other duties as required by the City Clerk, or the President of the City Council.

• Attends and prepares minutes for Committee meetings, City Council meetings, and the City Council’s Executive Sessions as needed. Minutes must be completed promptly, accurately, and thoroughly.
• Uses the City’s legislative tracking software to prepare and track items that are before the City Council and in each Committee.
• Operates audio/video equipment to record Committee meetings, and remote or hybrid video conferencing technology, as needed.
• Provides technical assistance to the City Council with respect to parliamentary procedure, the Rules of the Board, Open Meeting Law and relevant state laws.
• Creates well documented, clearly written and detailed notes as a core responsibility of the job.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree with one to three (1-3) years of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively perform the essential functions of the job.

Must possess and demonstrate excellent contemporaneous note taking, writing and documentation skills.

Special Requirements:
This employee is prohibited from taking public positions on issues that are or may reasonably come before the City Council.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Familiarity with the broad scope of issues relevant to Somerville and the region. Working knowledge of the structure of Somerville City government. Working knowledge of governmental processes. Working knowledge of office procedures and machines.

Abilities: Ability to meet and deal with the public effectively and appropriately; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to operate a computer; ability to maintain confidential information; ability to maintain, manage, and organize records; ability to deal appropriately with City employees, City officials and the public. Ability to identify, follow up, and follow through on errors. Ability to work independently.

Skills: Excellent writing and contemporaneous note-taking skills;
Excellent organizational skills; excellent data processing skills in the use of personal computers and office software including word processing, database, internet, spreadsheet applications, and legislative tracking software (Legistar).

Other: Working knowledge of parliamentary procedure, Roberts Rules of Order, rules of the City Council, and relevant state laws including, but not limited to, the open meeting law and the conflict of interest law.

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. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that…