CITY OF BISHOP
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
City Clerk

The City of Bishop is accepting applications for the position of City Clerk.

Application Deadline:

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, 4:00 p.m.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Submit Application.
Application Review. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be asked to take a written test.
Applicants who qualify will be notified via email for interview date & time.

The Role

The City Clerk serves as a key administrative leader within the City of Bishop and provides critical support to the City Administrator and City Council. This position ensures the transparency, compliance, and efficient operation of municipal government by managing official records, coordinating legislative processes, and supporting civic engagement.

Primary responsibilities include:

Preparing and coordinating City Council agendas, staff reports, and meeting materials
Recording and maintaining official minutes and legislative actions of the City Council
Managing and preserving official City records, including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and archives
Ensuring compliance with open meeting laws, public records requirements, and other municipal regulations
Administering and coordinating municipal elections in partnership with the County of Inyo
Serving as filing officer for Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) documents and Statements of Economic Interest
Providing administrative support to the City Administrator and City Council
Managing the City’s Municipal Code and legislative records
Assisting with risk management functions, including coordination of claims reporting and insurance documentation
Providing information and assistance to the public and City staff regarding City processes and records

Ideal Candidate

In addition to being ethical, highly organized, and detail-oriented, the ideal City Clerk will possess qualities that support effective local government operations, including:

Strong organizational and administrative leadership skills
Exceptional communication and business writing abilities
Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information
Strong understanding of municipal legislative processes and compliance requirements
Ability to work collaboratively with elected officials, City staff, outside agencies, and the public
Skilled at managing multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and professionalism

Experience

At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in an administrative or managerial role within a municipal organization, including experience supporting public meetings, records management, or governmental operations.

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, or a related field.
A Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation is highly desirable.

Job Description:

DEFINITION

To perform highly responsible administrative support to the City Administrator and the City Council including preparation and recording of the activities and decisions of the City Council; process and maintain official City documents and records and ensure compliance with legal requirements for municipal records management; administrate municipal elections; and to serve as City Clerk and Risk Manager.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the City Administrator
May exercise functional or technical supervision over clerical staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Serve as City Clerk to the City Administrator;
Assist the City Administrator with policy direction from the City Council;
Assist the City Administrator with the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures;
Organize and prepare agendas and staff reports for City Council meetings; prepare applicable public notices for agenda items as needed; attend regular and special Council meetings to oversee or perform the recording, preparation, and maintenance of notes and minutes of proceedings and record in the official minute books;
Receive, prepare and process actions of the City Council with respect to resolutions, ordinances, petitions, bids, agreements and other documents; prepare follow-up correspondence on City Council actions; prepare proclamations as directed; receive, index, classify, purge, and file records applicable to official actions taken by the City Council; plan and participate in the publication, filing, indexing and safekeeping of all proceedings of the City Council;
Provide official notification to the public regarding public hearings including legal advertising of notices; certify City documents; attest to proper execution of all public documents; serve as custodian of official records and archives of the City including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, insurance, and minutes; certify copies as required;
Administer the candidate process and other related election activities for municipal elections or special elections consolidated with County of Inyo general elections in November on even-numbered years; coordinate with County of Inyo elections office; ensure compliance with Local, State, and Federal laws;
Record and certify all Ordinances and Resolutions; maintain Ordinance book and Resolution files; and maintain the City’s Municipal Code in both its’ paper and on-line versions;
Help manage and produce the City’s annual Fee Schedule to establish current fees and charges for City services; annually establish a timeline for processing department requests for changes pursuant to the Municipal Code and State law to become effective at the beginning of each fiscal year; schedule and notice public hearings as required;
Distribute and process Fair Political Practices Commission documents and materials; serve as filing officer for statements of economic interest for elected officials, candidates, and designated employees as required by law;
Provide support services to the City Administrator and City Council by assisting with correspondence, conference reservations, scheduling of meetings coordinating special events, and ordering supplies;
Assist the public and City staff by answering questions or directing questions to the proper department, providing information, and researching assistance
Prepare, administer, and file oaths of allegiance for City employees and Commissioners; prepare and file oaths of office for elected officials;
Receive and transmit accident reports, potential claims, and claims filed against the City to the insurance carrier and City Attorney; participate in annual reports required by the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority;
Assist other Administrative staff when available;
Develop and distribute annual calendars for the City Council and Commission meetings; and
Perform other duties for the City Administrator as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Modern municipal administrative methods and procedures, organizations, and functions.
Principles of public and business administration including municipal finance, and risk management administration.
Current social, political, and economic trends that may effect the running of municipal government.
Applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, rules and regulations regarding local government operations.
Principles of effective public relations and inter-relationships with community groups and agencies, private businesses and firms, and other levels of government.

Ability to:

Provide effective leadership and coordinate the various activities of a municipal organization.
Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
Appraise situations and people accurately and quickly and adopt an effective course of action.
Serve effectively as the administrative agent of the City Administrator.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Follow oral and written directions; utilize proper English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation; strong business writing and communication skills.
Take minutes of public meetings; communicate effectively with individuals and in group settings in written and oral form.
Develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the City Administrator, City Council, City staff, outside agencies and the public; work independently and with the City Administrator exercising sound judgment and decision making skills, problem analysis and resolution.
Utilize a variety of computer software applications including word processing at a minimum speed of 60 wpm; spreadsheet applications; utilize modern technology and equipment; organize and prioritize work to accomplish goals within required time frames; maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information; work necessary hours and time to accomplish goals, objectives and required tasks; attend meetings in the evenings as required.
Understand pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, Codes, Rules and Regulations related to the responsibilities of the City Clerk’s Office including but not limited to the Ralph M. Brown Act, the California Elections Code as it relates to municipalities, California Public Records Act, Conflict of Interest regulations, Political Reform Act, and other related reporting requirements.
Provide information and organize material in compliance with all laws, regulations and policies.
Respond or direct appropriately inquiries, complaints, and requests from the public.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Cross train so as to perform administrative tasks for other Administrative Staff as required.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

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

Experience:

Eight years of progressively responsible experience in an administrative, managerial, or staff capacity in a municipal organization, involving the responsibility of the planning, organization, implementation, and supervision of varied work programs.

Training:

Equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
A Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation is highly desirable.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, including word processing and spreadsheet software and other specialized software, central financial computer system, telephone, 10-key calculator, phone, copy machine, fax machine, and postage machine.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL 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 essential functions.

The employee must be physically able to sit for extended periods of time at a desk writing, talking on the phone, checking emails, or inputting data on a computer in a climate controlled office under artificial lighting, and attending both on and off-site meetings. Minimal travel within the local area is required and occasional trips within the State may be required.
The employee must have the ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships; remain composed and respond appropriately to difficult situations; recognize emotionally charged issues or problems, cope effectively with various responses and apply sound judgment in problem solving.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; push and pull; talk or hear; and smell.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a typical office setting with constant temperatures. The employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference checks; job related tests as well as a polygraph examination may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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