Deputy City Clerk, Austin City Clerk's Office

Job Description:

Deputy City Clerk, Austin City Clerk's Office

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. Our guiding principles-Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchor our approach in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austin residents. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is valued, and Innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments designed to foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under nominal direction from the City Clerk, this position is accountable for the daily operations of the Office of the City Clerk (OCC). Work also involves performing duties and responsibilities of the City Clerk that includes planning, organizing, directing, and performing a wide variety of professional duties, including providing support to City Council and municipal elections and compliance with applicable State and Local laws and regulations.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Directs, leads, and supports the functional and daily operations of the Office, including providing staff support to the City Council; coordinating agenda items for the department; attending council meetings; recording minutes of meetings; ensuring meetings comply with mandated requirements; arranging for preparation and distribution of draft minutes as required; and performing human resources related activities.
  
• Analyzes business and workforce needs to develop short- and long-range strategies, plans, policies, procedures, and programs, and implements operational plans to meet performance measures.
  
• Directs the municipal election program, including providing services to voters, petitioners, City departments, and political candidates by coordinating City of Austin polling sites, county contracts, and Office of the City Clerk staff to ensure all legal and operational requirements are met.
  
• Ensures all activities are carried out in compliance with departmental policy and Local, State, and Federal regulations and laws governing activities.
  
• Provides solutions to complex problems and works to resolve difficult issues between involved parties, including Council, City Executives, media, and the general public.
  
• Administers contracts and vendors to ensure delivery of agreed-upon deliverables, and makes recommendations associated with purchasing and expenditures for departmental programs.
  
• Manages the preparation of budgets and forecast requirements and reports, including financial reports and performance measures reports.
  
• Manages the citizen recognition, petition validation, lobbyist, and liquor licensing processes and the Council-approved records program.
  
• Manages and oversees maintenance of all Office of the City Clerk technology, including electronic report filing, speaker signup registration, document management system, Office of the City Clerk web site, petition verification system, public records search, and all other necessary software utilized by the Office of the City Clerk to perform official duties.
  
• Acts as City Clerk in their absence in various capacities, including representing the City Clerk at meetings and attending meetings of the Mayor and Council, as required.
  
• Participates in research to gather facts and information for City Council decisions; prepares narratives and reports as required and liaises for City Council to citizens who request data from or appearance before City Council.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and City ordinances.
  
• Knowledge of leadership principles that promote a strong Office vision, including accountability, transparency, responsiveness, compliance, and efficiency with a sense of urgency for providing accurate high-quality service.
  
• Knowledge of Parliamentary Law.
  
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
  
• Skill in coordinating and prioritizing various functions and tasks.
  
• Skill in managing the operations of the Office’s personnel activities, including professional and organizational development that lead to enhanced staff performance.
  
• Skill in developing and implementing plans to achieve goals and objectives.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City Council, City managers, and department directors.
  
• Ability to treat City employees, representatives of outside agencies, and members of the public with courtesy and respect, while providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information in a timely manner.
  
• Ability to manage difficult and uncertain situations, handle conflict while demonstrating sound judgement, and providing critical and data-driven decisions.
  
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Business, Public Administration, or other related field, plus six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal administration or related area, including two (2) years of managerial or supervisory experience.
  
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Possess or in pursuit of National and/or State Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant clerk designations (e.g., MasterMunicipal Clerk) are strongly preferred, as they demonstrate a clear understanding of the full scope of municipal clerk responsibilities.
  
• Broad knowledge of technical systems, particularly ColdFusion applications used to publish agendas, speaker registrations, and other critical functions.
  
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly set expectations and maintain relationships across different levels of the organization.
  
• Knowledge of municipal elections, including familiarity with federal, state, and local election laws and the ability to adapt to ongoing regulatory changes.
  
• Experience with Robert’s Rules of Order, Texas Open Meetings Act, notary responsibilities, and serving in a Clerk role during Council meetings.
  
• Experience managing budgets and coordinating with a central Financial Services Department, particularly in a lean staffing environment.
  
• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and professionalism in politically sensitive environments.
  

Notes to Candidate:

To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for this position, please click here.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Austin City Clerk's Office

The Office of the City Clerk (OCC) supports the City's goal of transparency by preserving and providing public access to Council-approved documents, promoting City-wide compliance with records retention laws, and facilitating the legislative process. By charter, the City Clerk is appointed by the City Council. OCC is responsible for managing the City of Austin’s elections, providing records and information management to all departments, serving as a liaison to the boards and commissions, managing Council-approved records, updating the Municipal Code and technical manuals, administering lobbyist registrations, supporting Council meetings, and maintaining the Council Meeting Information Center and the Board and Commission Meeting Information Center, including minutes of Council and Board and Commission meetings.

Salary Range: $141,000 to $151,000 annually.

Location: Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Suite 2030, Austin , TX 78701

Days and Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Monday - Friday.

*Hours may vary depending upon business needs. This position is on-site.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a composed and politically astute professional with a strong background in municipal administration and City Council support. They possess broad knowledge of municipal election laws, the Texas Open Meetings Act, and internal systems used for agenda publication, speaker registration, and petition verification. Skilled in multitasking and managing high-stress, unpredictable situations, they are responsive and professional when engaging with Mayor and Council, the City Manager’s Office, department staff, and members of the public. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced setting, serving as a reliable second-in-command who can confidently represent the City Clerk, support Council functions, and foster strong cross-departmental relationships.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

• Strategic Leadership: Provides sound judgment, direction, and continuity in a dynamic, high-pressure environment. Serves effectively as second-in-command to the City Clerk, stepping in as needed to lead critical operations and represent the department with professionalism.
  
• Operational Management and Execution: Oversees the seamless execution of the Office’s core functions, including agenda publication, elections support, and front-line administrative processes. Excels at managing competing priorities, shifting demands, and day-to-day coordination in a high visibility setting.
  
• Legal and Regulatory Expertise: Applies comprehensive knowledge of election law, public meeting requirements, records regulations, and other statutory mandates to guide the Office’s work. Ensures compliance and adapts procedures in response to changing legal frameworks.
  
• Relationship Management: Builds and sustains effective working relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, departmental teams, and members of the public. Navigates sensitive issues with discretion, tact, and political awareness.
  
• Communicates Effectively with an Equity Mindset: Engages across diverse communities and audiences with clarity, inclusivity, and cultural awareness. Promotes transparency and accessibility in both internal operations and public-facing communications, upholding the City’s equity values.
  
• Technology and Process Improvement: Leads efforts in ideating , constructing, and maintaining modern methods of data sharing; administering systems and applications that provide for equitable access to Mayor and Council and greater civic engagement; maintaining accurate and complete historical databases; and planning and maintaining all improvements to the City Clerk’s data and communications infrastructure. Understands the function and impact of platforms such as ColdFusion; Formstack; Microsoft Access; speaker sign-up system; agenda management tools; and drives innovation through process refinement.
  
• Ethical Leadership: Models integrity in all actions and decisions, maintaining confidentiality, fairness, and public trust. Brings sound ethical judgment to complex or politically sensitive situations, ensuring accountability at all levels of operation.
  

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.
  
• Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
  
• This position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).
  
• A first review of candidates will occur on September 12, 2025. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
  

Note: Information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public in compliance with the Texas Open Records Act.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.