CITY CLERK

job description

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Los Angeles is seeking a leader to be an advocate for open government, a champion for civic engagement, and someone who can oversee and ensure fair and open elections. Top candidates for consideration must be flexible, thrive in a fast-paced and challenging leadership role, and be at the forefront of technological advancements. Mayor Karen Bass is seeking a dynamic and highly effective City Clerk who will contribute to her priority outcomes as an integral member of his cohesive leadership team.

THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES

The City of Los Angeles is a world-class city with a vibrant, diverse economy and an unparalleled quality of life. Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States and has a multi-ethnic population of approximately 4 million. Los Angeles is one of the largest economies, financial entities, and trade centers in the country. It is a trendsetting global metropolis with a fascinating history and a rich cultural heritage. The city prides itself on its ethnic diversity, with an estimated 200 languages spoken. As one of the world’s great cities, Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as other international events.

THE CITY ORGANIZATION

Los Angeles is a charter city, governed by the Mayor and the City Council. The City Council serves full time and has fifteen members elected by district. The other three elected officials of the City are the Mayor, Controller, and City Attorney. The City’s elected officials serve four-year terms. Volunteer Commissions consisting of prominent business and community leaders, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, oversee several City departments and bureaus.

The City has over 40 departments, bureaus, and offices for which funds are budgeted annually by the Mayor and City Council. In addition, the City has three proprietary (enterprise) departments (the Departments of Water and Power, Harbor, and Airports), governed by Commissions, which are financed solely by revenue generated from their operations.

As part of a historic new era, Karen Bass began her first four-year term as 43rd Mayor of the City of Los Angeles on December 12, 2022, as the first woman and second African American to be elected as the City’s chief executive.

THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK

The City Clerk leads a department with an operating budget of over $40 million and a staff of 128 full-time positions, which is augmented by temporary staff during Municipal Election and Neighborhood Council Election years. The City Clerk is appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval of the Council, and is part of the Mayor’s executive team. The City Clerk is the final authority in issuing orders and determining policy necessary to perform the duties and

responsibilities of the Office of the City Clerk, which includes the following key functional areas:

• Council Public Services - Provides high quality and timely legislative support services to the Mayor, City Council, Council Committees, the public and other City agencies.
  

• Elections - Conducts fair and open elections in full compliance with the provisions of the City Election Code and applicable provisions of State or Federal law, including requirements established by the California Secretary of State.
  

• Records Management - Operates the City Records Center for the off-site storage of inactive departmental records and the City Archives for the permanent retention of the City’s historical records.
  

• Administrative Services - Assumes responsibility for the fiscal and personnel operations in the City Clerk’s Office, City Council, Chief Legislative Analyst’s Office, and Mayor’s Office. Additionally, the Division administers the General City purposes budget and numerous Citywide special trust funds. Provides the payroll and administrative services to over 1,000 employees
  

• Systems - Provides strategic and tactical planning, development, implementation, and technical support services to other City Clerk divisions for their information systems, workstations, network infrastructure, systems integration, and business applications.
  

The strategies, priorities, and goals of the Office of the City Clerk are influenced by the needs of the City’s elected officials, the desires and requirements expressed by the Office’s broad and diverse customer base, and by new or modified legal mandates at the local, state, and federal levels, including mandatory functions required by the City Charter and the Los Angeles City Election, Municipal and Administrative Codes.

Key strategic areas identified in the Office of the City Clerk’s Strategic Plan include:

• Operational Excellence and Efficiency - Continually improve operational processes and enhance services through efficient and effective methods and solutions to ensure an organization that is customer focused, proactive, consistent, and responsible.
  

• Legal Compliance - Comply with new or modified legal mandates at the local, state, and federal levels, including mandatory functions required by the City Charter and the Los Angeles City Election, Municipal and Administrative Codes.
  

• Customer Service - Provide services in an open and transparent manner, build cooperative partnerships and strong working relationships, and identify opportunities to extend and improve the services in order to meet the changing needs of a diverse community and customer base.
  

• Civic Engagement - Enable and promote civic engagement and involvement through the electoral process, participation in public meetings, outreach to and partnerships with schools, community organizations, and the business and property owners in Los Angeles.
  

The Office of the City Clerk, both today and in the future, will need to be at the forefront of technological advancements in order to further enhance the delivery and access of information to the public, provide the ultimate in transparency, and fully support the City’s policymakers.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

In building a cohesive team of department heads, Mayor Bass is looking for these consistent qualities in all her General Managers:

• Leaders who are not only effective managers, but also have the vision, discipline, tenacity and skills to set and achieve strategic goals and leave a lasting legacy.
  

• Team players who foster collaboration at all levels of the organization, with an understanding that problems and solutions routinely cross department lines and city borders.
  

• Team builders who make it a priority to empower, coach, mentor and recognize city staff members to increase their individual and shared capacity to achieve success.
  

• Change agents who use data and performance metrics to drive continuous improvements and achieve the results that matter most.
  

• Strategic thinkers who understand the necessity of taking the long view and the high road in order to realize outcomes that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.
  
• Role models who personally demonstrate the integrity, work ethic and genuine concern for their fellow Angelenos that inspires public confidence and motivates city workers to do their best.
  

• Active learners who seek best practices across the public, private, non-profit and academic sectors to apply them to the unique challenges and opportunities in Los Angeles.
  

• Public servants who are passionate about building a greater city in partnership with citizens and civic groups across Los Angeles.
  

Additionally, top candidates for consideration will also:

• Be recognized for exceptional communication skills and responsiveness;
  

• Have a strong background in managing core administrative support functions including knowledge of creating and administering budgets and contracts, utilizing the principles of personnel management, and applying other general administration or organization techniques;
  

• Possess substantial knowledge of the legal duties of the City Clerk;
  

• Be well versed in the City infrastructure operations and the CIty’s Budget
  

• Demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to, negotiate conflict between, and maintain positive relations with the officers of the City, city management, the public, non-profit and community organizations, other municipalities and governmental agencies, and news media;
  

• Possess a track record of recognized and demonstrated leadership, accomplishment, and superior performance, and of working collaboratively with public officials, civic groups, and private citizens; and
  

• Demonstrate the capacity to build coalitions among diverse interests in Los Angeles communities.
  

In summary, the successful candidate will have the leadership skills to facilitate change, inspire teamwork, champion for open government and transparency, advocate for citizen engagement, and at the same time be extremely adaptable and flexible in a robust, fast-paced, and complex environment. An appreciation for incorporating best practices dealing with emerging technology including incorporating social media are also essential for success. Finally, it goes without saying that sterling integrity and trustworthiness are also vital in this high profile position.

QUALIFYING EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in public administration, business administration, law, political science, or a related field; and

EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of full-time paid managerial experience overseeing an administrative function, division, or department encompassing personnel administration and fiscal/budget management.

At least one (1) year of managerial experience must have been obtained working for a public agency and must have been related to the duties and responsibilities of the City Clerk, such as: municipal clerk, assistant or deputy municipal clerk, or in an elected office representing a public agency; election consultation, preparation, and administration (preferably in California); or implementation and application of extensive or complicated legislation/policy.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The current salary range for the City Clerk of Los Angeles is $230,306 - $408,496 per year. This compensation is scheduled to be incrementally increased for a total of 16% between 2025 and 2028.

A highly competitive benefits package includes an independent retirement plan to which both the employee and the City contribute; a multi-option deferred compensation plan; generous vacation and sick leave; 13 paid holidays per year; a flexible benefits plan including multi-option health, dental, and vision coverage; and family and domestic partner leave. Reimbursement of relocation expenses may be considered.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply by emailing a comprehensive resume, cover letter of interest, and three work related references with contact information to per.execsearch@lacity.org . References will not be contacted until mutual interest is established. All completed submissions will be acknowledged via email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Note: When emailing your application material, the subject line should be “City Clerk.”

Submissions from interested candidates will be accepted until Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Submissions will be screened against the criteria listed in this brochure.

The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a formal interview process with the City of Los Angeles. Questions and confidential inquiries may be referred to per.execsearch@lacity.org .

The position of City Clerk of Los Angeles is an exempt, at-will management position. The incumbent will not accrue any civil service tenure, contractual employment rights or due process rights. The City Clerk of Los Angeles is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. The incumbent may be removed, without any finding of cause, by the Mayor. Such removal would not be reviewable or appealable.

How to apply

Interested candidates should apply by emailing a comprehensive resume, cover letter of interest, and three work-related references with contact information to per.execsearch@lacity.org. References will not be contacted until mutual interest is established. All completed submissions will be acknowledged via email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Note: When emailing your application material, the subject line should be “City Clerk.”

Submissions from interested candidates will be accepted until Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Executive

High level executive job opportunities requiring various degrees of managerial or administrative experience. Executives normally manage major functions in one of the City's many operating departments.

Closing Date/Time: 5/20/25

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• City of Los Angeles

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