Principal Clerk

Duties:

Under the direction of the Chief Assessor and clerical or other employees of higher grade, performs, according to standard office procedures, a variety of clerical duties requiring a grade of decision and knowledge of the functions of Assessing Department. Reviews commitments from the Registry of Motor Vehicles for exempt vehicles and vehicles which may be intend for issuance to other cities and towns. Runs excise tax abatement reports. Runs commitment reports. Examines documents for correctness, responds to taxpayer inquiries at counter, telephone and by email regarding excise tax, residential exemption, abatements, CPA and all general assessing questions. Directs question to appropriate personnel. Examines and reviews expanded Accurint print out information containing list of possible deceased persons and owners with other addresses to determine potential fraud regarding residential exemption status. Assists the tax payers completing or explaining abatement excise tax bills, statutory and residential exemption forms. Reviews the statutory, residential and C.P.A exemption applications for approval or denials. Performs other duties as may be required by the Chief Assessor or his designee. Perform data entry.

Qualifications:

• High school graduate or GED.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.
• Ability to pleasantly and efficiently communicate with the public in person or by telephone.
• Attention to detail and accuracy with figures essential.
• Ability to develop a working knowledge of the functions of the Assessing Department including real estate, and auto excise assessment.
• Proficiency with computer and calculator applications is essential.
• Bi-Lingual (Spanish) experience is helpful.
• AGREES TO ENROLL AND COMPLETE COURSE 101 IN ASSESSMENT ADMINISTRATION, LAW, PROCEDURES, AND VALUATION; AND COURSE 200 PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSING PROCEDURES WITHIN THREE (3) YEARS OF ASSUMING POSITION.

Work Environment:

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.)

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting.

Visual Skills

Visual demands include constantly reading documents and numbers, maps and colors.

Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $1,197.85 weekly, plus benefits
Union: SMEU B
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: February 24th, 2026

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The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or [email protected].

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.