Career Overview
Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.
Also Known As
- City Clerk
- Court Clerk
- License Clerk
- Town Clerk
Alternate Job Titles
- Agent Licensing Clerk
- Animal Control Licensing Worker
- Appeals Clerk
- Appellate Court Clerk
- Basic Traffic Minute Clerk
- Birth Certification Clerk
- Calendar Clerk
- Case Clerk
- Circuit Clerk
- Circuit Court Clerk
- City Clerk
- City Recorder
- City Secretary
- Civil Clerk
- County Clerk
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Evaluate information on applications to verify completeness and accuracy and to determine whether applicants are qualified to obtain desired licenses.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as answering telephone calls, filing court documents, or maintaining office supplies or equipment.
- Verify the authenticity of documents, such as foreign identification or immigration documents.
- Record and edit the minutes of meetings and distribute to appropriate officials or staff members.
- Question applicants to obtain required information, such as name, address, or age, and record data on prescribed forms.
- Issue public notification of all official activities or meetings.
- Record and maintain all vital and fiscal records and accounts.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Law and Government
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Speech Recognition
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Speech Clarity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom
Tools & Equipment
- Audio recording equipment
- Ballot marking devices
- Ballot marking systems
- Cash drawers
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer inkjet printers
- Computer laser printers
- Computer touch screens
- Copy machines
- Credit card processing machines
- Desktop calculators
- Dictating equipment
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital data input scanners
- Digital still cameras
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $34,860 |
| Median | $47,700 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $72,370 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 170,010
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $54,140
Compliance Officers
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $78,420
Office Clerks, General
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $43,630
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $61,010
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $54,980
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.