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Located between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is a community of approximately 65,000 residents and is home to more than 7,000 businesses. The tree-lined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage and at the same time, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technological, medical, and green innovation. 

Palo Alto is a Charter City with a Council-Manager form of government and a seven-member City Council elected at-large. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Clerk. The City Clerk’s Office is staffed with a City Clerk, Assistant City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk, two Administrative Assistants, and supports two part-time contracted hearing officers. The FY 20/21 adopted budget for the Office is $1,245,151. 

In proactively supporting the City Council, the City Clerk will work collaboratively with other CAOs and City departments in facilitating the Council’s vision, while upholding the duties and role of the Clerk’s Office with confidence and independence. The Mayor and City Council are seeking a City Clerk with a propensity for accuracy, attention to detail and timely communication and responsiveness, and who embraces the evolving nature of technology. The City Clerk will serve as an ambassador of the City to the community, and is expected to remain impartial, unbiased, even handed, and apolitical. 

The ideal candidate will possess increasingly responsible and complex administrative experience, including at least two years of supervisory experience. Ideally, candidates will have experience working with an elected or appointed body within a local government agency. Education equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Certification as a Municipal Clerk (CMC) or Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) is strongly desired. In addition, the Palo Alto organization encourages continuing education and active involvement within the profession. 

The City is offering a competitive salary for this position, and appointment will be made depending upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. 

To learn more about the opportunity and to submit your interest, please click here.