City Secretary

Job Description

Overview

The City Secretary is an executive-level Charter Officer appointed by and reporting directly to the City Council, in accordance with the City Charter and applicable Texas law. Serves as the official custodian of City Council records and is responsible for ensuring transparency, public accessibility, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Provides high-level administrative and strategic support to the City Council, oversees the administration of municipal elections, and directs the operations of the City Secretary's Office, including Vital Records. This position requires a high degree of independent judgment, discretion, and sound decision-making, particularly during City Council meetings, to effectively address time-sensitive matters, respond to emerging issues, and make critical decisions with minimal supervision while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Attends all council meetings, workshops and special sessions; prepares and certifies official minutes and legislative records.

• Serves as meeting parliamentarian. Prepares and posts meeting agendas & public notices in compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act.

• Coordinates with the City Manager's Office on agenda management. Maintains the official records of council proceedings, ordinances and resolutions.

• Researches complex issues, prepares and manages the City Council budget.

• Negotiates & resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial inquiries and issues.

• Leads and develops a professional staff in a fast-paced municipal environment.

• Manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each service area.

• Establishes appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of services offered by the department.

• Manages and approves department budgets.

• Serves as custodian of all official city records. Appointed the City's Records Management Officer in accordance with Texas Local Government Code.

• Oversees the city's records management program.

• Manages the city's official municipal code and coordinates the timely publication and codification of adopted ordinances.

• Appointed the City's Public Information Coordinator in accordance with Texas Public Information Act.

• Coordinates public information requests in conjunction with the City Attorney's Office.

• Maintains the city seal and certifies official documents.

• Serves as the central elections administrator for all municipal elections, including general, special, and bond elections, in collaboration with bond counsel and city departments.

• Coordinates with Nueces County Clerk's Office on joint elections and polling place logistics.

• Ensures full compliance with Texas Election Code, including candidate filing, ballot preparation, publications, and canvassing of results.

• Manages ethics filings and campaign finance disclosures.

• Oversees the Council's board, commission, and committee appointments, including recruitment, selection, orientation, and training. Maintains rosters, appointment records, and Open Meetings Act compliance for all city boards.

• Assists with public engagement efforts related to elections and civic participation, including public comment procedures at council meetings, initiative and referendum, recall and charter amendments.

• Serves as a resource to the public, departments, and elected officials on city records, history, and legislative process.

• Appointed as local registrar of births and deaths. Oversees the Vital Records division, which is responsible for recording and maintaining birth and death records in the city limits. Manages and approves the division budget.

• May be asked to perform other duties as assigned.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Exempt - Full-Time

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirement

• In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS)

• Nine (9) years of professional experience

Preferred

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, or related field

Licenses and Certifications

Required

• A valid driver's license is required; successful out-of-state candidates must be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within 90 days of hire.

Required to Obtain and Maintain for Duration of Employment

• Texas Notary Public license

• Texas Registered Municipal Clerk Certification

Preferred

• Records Management Training Certification from TSLAC, NARA, NAGARA, or similar

Employment Testing

Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

• Criminal Background Check: Yes

• Motor Vehicle Record Check: Yes

• Drug Screening: Yes

• Physical Exam: Yes

Basis of Rating

A recruitment consultant will evaluate all applications against the posted qualifications and may request additional information. The city may also conduct additional skill assessment tests, in addition to the panel interview.

Supplemental Information

• Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position with the City of Corpus Christi.

The City of Corpus Christi is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.

Closing Date/Time: November 4, 2026