City Clerk

City of Sebastopol; Sebastopol (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Outstanding benefits package

Job summary

The City of Sebastopol is seeking a professional and organized City Clerk to lead the City Clerk’s Office, oversee records management, and coordinate City Council agendas and elections. The role reports to the City Manager and acts as a key advisor on statutory matters.

The ideal candidate will have strong public administration experience, be committed to transparency, and excel in collaboration with staff, vendors, and the community. Salary is competitive with outstanding benefits.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree is desirable.
• Experience: 5 years in a City Clerk’s Office or similar clerk role for a public body.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and review activities of the City Clerk’s Office.
• Prepare City Council agenda, manage records, and conduct municipal elections.
• Coordinate with departments and outside agencies; advise City management and Council.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and provide excellent customer service.

Skills

Public Administration

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree desirable

Job description

THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL IS SEEKING A PROFESSIONAL

CITY CLERK

Salary: $100,278 - $121,889 Annually

Plus an outstanding benefits package

Deadline to apply: September 10, 2026, 11:59 PM

The City of Sebastopol is seeking an engaging, inclusive, collaborative, and organized leader who is well-versed in legal compliance. The City Clerk will plan, organize, direct, and review the activities of the City Clerk’s Office, including City Council agenda preparation, records management, and the conduct of municipal elections. The selected candidate will coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager and City Council.

The City Clerk will demonstrate cultural competency working with all community members regardless of cultural differences or circumstances, including race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender identity, age, marital and familial status, sexual orientation, diverse physical and learning abilities, socioeconomic status, and other identities.

The City Clerk is an at-will executive management position responsible for overseeing the administration and daily operations of the City Clerk's Office. Reporting directly to the City Manager, the City Clerk also serves as Clerk to the City Council and acts as a key advisor on statutory, legislative, and administrative matters. This single-position classification exercises a high degree of autonomy, discretion, and independent judgment in carrying out its responsibilities and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and governance practices.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate will:

• Understand the principles, practices, and procedures related to public agency record keeping, municipal elections, and the City Clerk functions.
• Provide a high level of customer service by effectively addressing the public, vendors, contractors, City staff, and City Council.
• Possess administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, evaluation, and supervision of staff.
• Possess professional experience in a municipal City Clerk’s Office.
• Be skilled in delegation and active involvement, problem-solving, and a commitment to driving progress.
• Possess a positive attitude even in the face of challenge and discord.
• Provide leadership and mentoring that inspires and encourages others to develop skills, be prepared for advancement, and achieve their best.
• Ensure that projects are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget.
• Be able to communicate effectively, demonstrate emotional intelligence, and political understanding.
• Be able to adjust quickly to changing priorities and conditions, and establish positive relationships with colleagues, employees, the public, and other stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Business Administration, or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class. Possession of a master's degree is desirable.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a City Clerk’s Office or similar clerk experience for a public body, attesting to documents, responsible for official records, and administering public meeting laws, including two years of functional or direct supervisory responsibility.

License and Certifications:

• Possession at the time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license is required.
• Possession of certification as a California Municipal Clerk within thirty-six months of appointment. Maintenance of a current and valid CMC designation within six months and, once acquired, is a condition of employment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a California Public Notary designation within six months of appointment.

SELECTION PROCESS: Each candidate’s background will be evaluated based on the information submitted. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to the next phase in the recruitment process, which may include an oral panel interview and practical exercise. Only the names of the most qualified candidates who pass the initial selection process will be submitted to the City for final consideration.

Deadline to Apply: September 10, 2026, 11:59 PM

The City of Sebastopol is not responsible for the failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Additional inquiries about the position or candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should be directed to Danielle Oliveira from Muchmore Than Consulting [e-mail].

THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.