City of Mission Viejo Invites Applications for

CITY CLERK

$60.20 - $92.46 per hour

APPLY BY: 3:00 P.M., MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026

SEARCH SCHEDULE:

Online applications must be completed & submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on the filing deadline. NeoGov will reject all applications started prior to 3:00 p.m., but not submitted by 3:00 p.m. No exceptions will be made to the closing deadline. Please plan accordingly.

The first round of Zoom interviews is scheduled for some time during the week of May 5, 2026. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend.

The City will not accommodate an applicant’s scheduling request for an alternate date. It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly when you apply.

The Position

Do you have strong knowledge in municipal governance laws? Are you inspired to serve your community? If yes, then we are looking for you! The City is seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented, and service-driven professional to serve as our next City Clerk. This key leadership position plays a vital role in supporting transparent government operations and serves as a subject-matter-expert on election administration, agenda management, and municipal governance.

Currently, there is one (1) full-time vacancy in the City Manager’s Department. Work hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with additional evening hours on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The schedule may vary depending on the needs of the City including potential weekend assignments and/or special events. This is an FLSA exempt mid-management position that reports directly to the City Manager.

The eligibility list established during this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time or temporary City Clerk vacancies. If you’re looking for a position that impacts the public in a great department, we encourage you to apply!

Your Impact & Contributions

This single-position management class oversees and directs all activities of the City Clerk Division within the City Manager’s Department including conducting city elections, serving as Filing Officer for Political Reform Act filings, being the custodian of the seal of the City, and performing statutory duties.
This classification regularly interacts with the City Manager, City Council, City Attorney, and departmental representatives in obtaining and coordinating projects and assignments.
The City Clerk must attend Council meetings; provide for and/or record and transcribe minutes of the proceedings; act as secretary to the Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency, Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees.
A high-profile and complex project for the incoming City Clerk will be to manage the upcoming election process for all five (5) Council seats. This includes preparing candidate guidelines, administering the candidacy and nomination process, providing information to candidates regarding procedural and disclosure requirements and publishing election notices and results within legal guidelines. It is expected the new City Clerk will have extensive experience in election administration.

Applicants are encouraged to review the entire City Clerk job description by visiting the City’s website at https://cityofmissionviejo.org.

YOUR TEAM

The City Clerk’s Office is a division under the City Manager’s department and is responsible for the functions and duties prescribed by State law and general law cities and as set forth by the Mission Viejo Municipal Code. The division is composed of three programs: Administration, Council Support, and Elections. The City Clerk is supported by a full-time Assistant City Clerk and open communication with the City’s contract City Attorney.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a strategic, detail-oriented professional with strong knowledge of & experience in elections administration, municipal governance, records and information management, and regulatory compliance. Success in this role requires the ability to exercise a high level of independence, demonstrate exceptional communication skills & sound judgment, have discretion in handling sensitive information, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects while maintaining transparency and public trust, along with political sensitivity and acumen.

Knowledge of:

Provisions of the State Government Code and the Municipal Code applicable to the governmental structure of the City and specifically related to the functions and operations of the City Council and the City Clerk's Division, including provisions of the Open Meeting Law (Brown Act), Political Reform Act filing requirements, (Campaign Statements and Statements of Economic Interests), and Parliamentary Procedure.
Statutory and administrative requirements for the City Clerk's division, including requirements and procedures for the conduct of Municipal Elections, including State Elections Code provisions.
Rules and procedures governing the notice and conduct of public hearings.
Political sensitivities pertaining to municipal government operations during and outside of election periods and in dealing with elected and appointed officials, candidates for office, and members of the public.
Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation and supervision of staff.
Functions, authority, responsibilities and limitations of an elected City Council.
Automated and manual records management principles and practices, including legal requirements for recording, retention and disclosure.
Principles and practices of public agency budget development, administration and accountability.
Advanced principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures.
Standard office practices and procedures, including the operation of standard office equipment.
Computer applications related to the work, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphic design applications.
Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations.
Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Safe driving principles and practices.
Safe work practices.

Skill in:

Providing administrative and professional leadership and direction for the City Clerk Division.
Planning, organizing, administering, coordinating, reviewing and evaluating staff and activities of the City Clerk division.
Meeting all legal requirements of the function in a timely and effective manner.
Coordinating municipal elections within legal guidelines.
Overseeing and coordinating maintenance of the official records of the City.
Preparing official minutes, resolutions, and ordinances.
Interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
Scheduling, assigning, supervising, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff.
Selecting, training, motivating staff.
Developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and internal controls for the office.
Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
Working effectively with diverse groups; listening to and discussing problems and complaints tactfully.
Providing exceptional customer service to coworkers, internal customers and the public.
Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees and those contacted in the course of the work. Effectively representing the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
Operating a motor vehicle safely.

QUALIFICATIONS

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in business, public administration or a related field and five (5) years of experience in performing responsible and complex administrative office work in a City Clerk’s office, including two (2) years of supervisory experience. Additional years of experience in a City Clerk’s Office may be substituted for an education requirement on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

If not already obtained, the employee must obtain a license as a Notary Public within six (6) months of date of appointment and maintain license throughout employment in this classification.
If not already obtained, the employee must obtain a Certified Municipal Clerk Certification through the Municipal Clerk’s Institute within three (3) years of date of appointment.
A driver’s license is not required, but the employee must be able to arrange reliable and timely transportation to offsite facilities and locations to complete essential functions of the position.

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