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Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

Court, Municipal, and License Clerks is the O*NET name for people who perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. The skills rated most useful are active listening, speaking, and reading comprehension. The job can ask you to plan or direct the maintenance, filing, safekeeping, or computerization of all municipal documents. On the six-type interest model it reads CES, meaning orderly work with data, records and clear procedures comes first, followed by leading, persuading and making business decisions. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.

Main tasks

  • Plan or direct the maintenance, filing, safekeeping, or computerization of all municipal documents.
  • Examine legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws or court procedures.
  • Record case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees.
  • Answer inquiries from the general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances, trial dates, adjournments, outstanding warrants, summonses, subpoenas, witness fees, or payment of fines.
  • Perform general office duties, such as taking or transcribing dictation, typing or proofreading correspondence, distributing or filing official forms, or scheduling appointments.
  • Question applicants to obtain required information, such as name, address, or age, and record data on prescribed forms.

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on active listening and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CES takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • City Clerk
  • City Recorder
  • City Secretary
  • Court Clerk
  • License Clerk

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.