Principal Clerk

City of Somerville; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation 4 weeks (non-union)

Medical insurance through GIC

Dental coverage

Vision care

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement plan

Employee assistance program

Tuition reimbursement

Public transit benefits

Job summary

The City of Somerville seeks a detail‑oriented clerical professional to assist the Water and Sewer Department in daily office tasks, deposits, and customer support. You will reference appropriate supervisors for urgent matters and maintain confidentiality across software systems.

Qualifications include a high school diploma, at least one year in an office setting, and strong communication skills. The role is full‑time, on‑site, with benefits and a unionized work environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Experience in a fast-paced office environment and ability to follow policies.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and municipal software such as MUNIS (preferred).
• Strong written and oral communication skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to operate telephone and standard office equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform clerical duties following standard office procedures.
• Complete deposit and billing activities for the department.
• Handle customer issues and refer to crew supervisor as needed.
• Use departmental software and maintain confidentiality.
• Route and time stamp mail; coordinate interdepartmental mail.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and policies.
• Foster positive relationships with staff and the public.
• Support Public Works staff upon directive and train others as needed.

Skills

Office procedures

Fast-paced environment

Regulations compliance

Microsoft Office

MUNIS experience

Written communication

Verbal communication

Telephone etiquette

Problem solving

Physical stamina

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or vocational school or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

MUNIS (preferred)

Job description

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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

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.

Physical Skills

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).

Motor Skills

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 Skills

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 materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or [e-mail].

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.