Chief Deputy Clerk of the Legislature

Chief Deputy Clerk of the Legislature

SALARY: Hire Rate (2026 Annually): $81,307.20 / Work Rate after 9 months (2026 Annually): $85,571.20

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time

ISSUE DATE: 04/16/26

THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 05/10/26

DATE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POSTING: 05/11/26

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga,
Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain
residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final
earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under
section 23-4-a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality
or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must
then certify the names of non-residents on the list.

The Clerk of the Tompkins County Legislature is seeking a skilled Chief Deputy Clerk to assist in the management of complex
administrative functions for the office of the Tompkins County Legislature. The Chief Deputy Clerk will play a vital role in
upholding public transparency and keeping the constituency informed about local laws and legislative initiatives affecting the
community while ensuring compliance with New York State Open Meetings Law. Key responsibilities include supervision of
office staff and daily office operations such as preparing meeting agendas, minutes, and resolutions. The Chief Deputy Clerk is
authorized to act on behalf of the Clerk of the Legislature in their absence.

Position: Chief Deputy Clerk (Full Time)

Salary:

• Hire Rate (2026 Annually): $81,307.20 / Work Rate after 9 months (2026 Annually): $85,571.20

Qualifications include proven administrative and supervisory experience, a strong knowledge of legislative and parliamentary
procedures, and a commitment to high standards of ethical behavior. If you are detail-oriented and have strong communication
skills and a desire to serve the public, we want to hear from you.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application through the Tompkins County employment portal. Be sure to include a resume and cover letter
explaining your interest in the position and relevant experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four year college or university with a Bachelors Degree
AND two years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time or volunteer) senior-level clerical experience in an office setting
which must have involved typing using a personal computer and database systems; OR

(b) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two year college or university with an Associates
Degree AND four years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time or volunteer) senior-level clerical experience in an office
setting which must have involved typing using a or personal computer and database systems; OR

(c) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND six years of full-time paid (or the
equivalent part-time or volunteer) senior-level clerical experience that involved a personal computer and database systems; OR

(d) Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that specified in (a), (b) and (c) above.

Tompkins County Government centers diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to the empowerment of employees and
residents to dismantle systemic barriers that inhibit inclusive governance and the provision of government services to all. Guided
by our values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Equity, and Stewardship, we strive to build a workplace and community
rooted in trust, belonging, and opportunity for all.

Learn more about our Strategic Plan and Institutionalizing Equity Report, which embed equity across our operations.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for assisting the Clerk of the Legislature in carrying out the statutory responsibilities of that
Office. The Chief Deputy Clerk performs administrative and clerical duties necessary for the processing of official documents of
the County Legislature. The Chief Deputy Clerk maintains a variety of Legislative records and assists in gathering data for
reports or research. The work involves a wide variety of activities and projects within a field. Guidelines and policies are
available only in terms of broadly stated program objectives, and cases may regularly require that new procedures or methods be
developed or initiated. During absences, the Chief Deputy Clerk acts for and in place of the Clerk. Work is performed under the
general direction of the Clerk of the Legislature and not usually subject to more than general administrative controls. An
employee in this class may supervise and evaluate the work of support staff in the office. The incumbent will perform all related
duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Acts for and in place of the Clerk of the Legislature (Clerk) in their absence;
• Performs general office duties as necessary;
• Coordinates prepares and reviews resolutions and related meeting materials for formatting, accuracies, and compliance

government officials, agency representatives, county employees, media representatives, and members of the public of
meetings by preparing agendas and other materials in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and county policies;

• Responsible for attending and taking minutes which may include important incidents such as motions, amendments, and

• May prepare, write, edit, or proofread documents such as minutes, actions related to local laws and other legislation,

• Assists in the management of the departmental website and online public facing software with a focus on compliance;
• Manages and maintains records regarding the filling of advisory boards, councils, commissions, and committees through

a detailed appointment procedure in compliance with Federal Law, New York State Law, County Charter, County Code,
Rules of the Legislature, administrative policies, and other local rules;

• Assists in the review of advisory board bylaws to ensure they are in alignment with Federal Law, New York State Law,

• Maintains a variety of records and files or legislative actions, minutes and correspondence;
• Answer inquiries, obtains information, and disseminates information to the inquiring public on issues before the

processor or personal computer for Legislators and the Clerk; Present data and reports in a clear and concise manner both
orally and in writing;

• Assists in the preparation of the County "Journal of Proceedings";
• Responsible for grant writing and serves as project director for all department grants received through State Archives and

Rules of the Legislature, administrative policies, and other local rules to County staff and heads of public agencies as
requested;

• Assists in filing of a variety of records, legislation, and other official documents including but not limited to local laws,

• Disseminates information to the inquiring public on issues before the Legislature as well as all phases of the Legislative

• Supervises and evaluates the work of support staff in the office and Legislature interns;
• Responsible for support staff scheduling and organization of a variety of departmental activities as necessary;
• Assists the Clerk in the interview process for filing vacant positions in the office.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Thorough knowledge of the legislative process of the Tompkins County Legislature;
• Thorough knowledge of parliamentary procedures, the Rules of the Tompkins County Legislature, and Roberts Rules of

• Working knowledge of filing procedures used in Clerk's office;
• Working knowledge of business math and basic accounting procedures, especially as they relate to municipal budgets

Originally created 03/13/06

C104.DOC

FURTHER INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

Falsification of any part of the "Application for Employment" will result in disqualification.

Accepted candidates will be notified when and where to appear for the examination. If you do not receive your notice to appear at least three days before the
date of the written examination, call Tompkins County Department of Human Resources at 274-5526. If an application is disapproved, due notice will be
sent. This department does not make formal acknowledgment of the receipt of an application or take responsibility for non-delivery or postal delay.

Applicants must answer every question on the application form and make sure that the application is complete in all respects. Incomplete applications will
be disapproved.

ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS OR DISABLED VETERANS desiring to claim additional credit will request the Veterans Credits
application form, at any time between the date of application for examination(s) and the date of the establishment of the resulting eligible list. You must
meet the requirements set by NYS for these credits and they may be used only once. YOU MAY NOT CLAIM ADDITIONAL CREDITS AFTER THE
ELIGIBLE LIST HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. IT IS THE CANDIDATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST THE VETERANS CREDIT
APPLICATION FORMS AND TO SUBMIT THESE FORMS AND ANY SUPPORTING PAPERWORK BEFORE THE ELIGIBLE LIST IS
ESTABLISHED.
Tompkins County's written examinations are prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23-2 of
Civil Service Law. The provisions of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations, which deal with the rating and review of the examinations
apply.

The duration of the eligible lists may be fixed for a minimum of one and a maximum of four years and may be extended beyond four years if there has been
a restriction against the filling of vacancies in that title.
The candidates must complete a separate "Application for Employment" for each open-competitive and/or promotional examination that the candidate is
eligible to take.

All experience required meeting the acceptable training and experience is full-time experience. (Part-time experience will be credited on a prorated basis).

Appointment from an eligible list must be made from the top three candidates willing to accept the appointment.

Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of its efforts to provide employment opportunities to the physically handicapped, Tompkins
County Civil Service has adopted a rule permitting the employment of qualified physically handicapped persons without competitive examination (pursuant
to Section 55 of Civil Service Law). If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and wish to know more about this rule, please contact the
Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Office.

Unless otherwise notified, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held, and solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with Typewriter Keyboards,
Spell Checkers, Personal Digital Assistants, Address Books, Language Translators, Dictionaries or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring
books or other reference materials.

CROSS-FILING - APPLYING FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS WHEN EXAMINATIONS ARE
SCHEDULED ON THE SAME DATE: When applying for examinations across multiple jurisdictions - all of which are scheduled on the same day - you
must submit a Tompkins County Cross-Filing Form. This form must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on the final filing date of the examination. On this
form, list each examination that you are taking and then tell us where you would like to sit. The purpose is to ensure that all of the test materials for the
various examinations that you are taking will be available in one location. If you do not provide the cross-filing form to us by the final filing date, we cannot
ensure that we can accommodate your desire to cross-file. If any of the examinations are State level examinations, you must sit at the State test center. You
will still need to complete the Tompkins County cross-filing form. If sitting at the State site, the State will notify you of when and where to report for your
examination(s) and you should bring all admittance letters to the State site. If you are not taking a State examination, bring all admittance letters to your
chosen testing site. If you have any question please call Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Department (607) 274-5526. The Cross File
form is located at http://www.tompkins-co.org/personnel/CivilSrvForms/index.html

FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS: If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on
your application.

ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR POSITIONS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOCES GOVERNED BY TOMPKINS COUNTY
CIVIL SERVICE MAY HAVE THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL REQUIREMENT. PER CHAPTER 180 OF THE LAWS OF 2000, AND BY
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, TO BE EMPLOYED IN A POSITION DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOL
DISTRICT OR BOCES AS INVOLVING DIRECT CONTACT WITH STUDENTS, A CLEARANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT FROM THE
STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED.
In conformance with Section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duties shall be entitled to receive
an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are
qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duties in this municipality, please inform this
office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the
application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has
been established.╝

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be required to undergo a State and national criminal history background investigation, which will
include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in
disqualification.

TOMPKINS COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, 125 EAST COURT STREET, ITHACA, NY 14850