Jurisdiction: Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Unclassified

Adopted 10-20-05

Revised: 4-10-09

CLERK OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for performing statutory duties imposed by County Law and other applicable laws or directives of the Legislature. The Clerk of the County Legislature also furnishes research, investigative and clerical support to Legislators as needed. The duties are primarily administrative, requiring the exercise of good judgment in dealing with the confidentiality of subject matter. The incumbent must be knowledgeable of legislative procedure and protocol. The work is performed under general supervision with leeway allowed for the use of independent judgment in carrying out the duties of the position. The Clerk of the Legislature also serves as County Historian, responsible for the collection, preservation and education relating to local history. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

Provides clerical support to the Legislators and their statutory, standing and special committees;

Maintains records of all acts, local laws and proceedings of the Legislature;

Notifies members to convene Legislature organization meetings;

Attends meetings and prepares minutes of Legislative proceedings and edits and maintains such proceedings;

Prepares the calendar for Legislative meetings, public hearings, special events and tours, including screening and organizing all communications, reports, resolutions, acts, etc., for proper insertion in the calendar and disseminates agendas to Legislators;

Serves as liaison between the Legislature and other persons and agencies, including County departments and outside agencies and individuals;

Notifies proper officials of Legislative vacancies;

Follows up on requests for information and service from the Legislature and performs other duties as assigned;

With appropriate department heads, handles Freedom of Information Requests for all county departments;

Creates press releases and acts as the liaison between the legislature and local media, and acts as County Public Information Officer during declared emergency situations

Administers the records program for the county and advises municipalities on records management practices

Oversees daily operation of the Cortland Records Center

Writes grants having to do with records management and/or history or heritage tourism or historic preservation.

Initiates and oversees county-wide historical projects, in conjunction with municipal historians

Disseminates historical information through research and publications, speeches, correspondence and press releases

Provides guidance and support to municipal historians and serves as a conduit of information between the State Historian in Albany and municipal historians.

Identifies historic structures and districts and prepares nominations to the State and National Historic Registers

Advises general public in researching local and public history;

Prepares annual report as required;

Prepares and operates the annual budget for the department;

Creates and updates county website for Historian and Legislature;

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of parliamentary procedures and the Legislature's rules of order;

Good knowledge of local, State and Federal laws pertinent to the operation of the Clerk's office;

Good knowledge of the record retention schedule set by the New York State Education Department;

Good knowledge of local, regional and New York State history

Good knowledge of the organization, structure and functions of County government and departments;

Ability to interpret and implement policies set by the Legislature;

Ability to write, edit and proofread a variety of documents;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Ability to perform close, detail work involving considerable visual effort and concentration;

Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs;

Ability to deal effectively with the public;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

SUGGESTED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:

(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, English, Journalism, History or closely related field; or

(b) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s degree in secretarial science or closely related field and two (2) years of clerical experience which involved the operation of a computer for word-processing, database or spreadsheet applications; or

(b) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four (4) years of experience as defined in (a); or