Principal Clerk

Duties

Under the direction of the Chief Assessor and higher‑grade clerical employees, you will perform a range of clerical duties that require judgment and knowledge of Assessing Department functions. Responsibilities include reviewing commitments from the Registry of Motor Vehicles for exempt and intercity vehicles, running excise tax abatement and commitment reports, examining documents for correctness, responding to taxpayer inquiries by counter, telephone and email regarding excise tax, residential exemption, abatements, CPA, and other general assessing questions, directing questions to appropriate personnel, examining expanded Accurint print‑out information for potential fraud related to residential exemption status, assisting taxpayers in completing or explaining abatement excise tax bills and exemption forms, reviewing statutory, residential, and C.P.A. exemption applications for approval or denial, performing other duties as assigned by the Chief Assessor or designee, and performing data entry.

• High school graduate or GED.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• Ability to communicate pleasantly and efficiently with the public in person or by telephone.
• Attention to detail and accuracy with figures.
• Ability to develop a working knowledge of the Assessing Department functions, including real estate and auto excise assessment.
• Proficiency with computer and calculator applications.
• Bi‑Linguistic (Spanish) experience is helpful.
• Agrees to enroll and complete Course 101 in Assessment Administration, Law, Procedures, and Valuation, and Course 200 in Principles of Assessing Procedures within three (3) years of assuming the position.

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

Physical

Skills:

Little or no physical demands are required. Work primarily involves sitting, with intermittent stooping, walking, standing, and occasional lifting of objects up to 30 lb.

Motor

Skills:

Minimal motor skills for moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer, and other office equipment, typing, filing, and sorting.

Visual

Skills:

Constantly reading documents, numbers, maps, and colors.

• Hours:
  
  Full‑Time
• Salary: $1,115.31 weekly, plus benefits
• Union: SMEU B
• FLSA:
  Non‑Exempt
• Date Posted:
  February 24th, 2026

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 to access the City’s programs, activities, and meetings should contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617‑625‑6600 x 2059 or apomeroy.

• Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance.
• Completion of Conflict‑of‑Interest Law Education training for municipal employees.

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non‑union positions; union positions vary by contract.
• Medical insurance through GIC (80% of premium costs paid by City).
• Dental coverage (low and high plans) through Cigna.
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan.
• 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 E4
  
  Health.
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release.
• Somerville Retirement Pension System.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• MBTA pass program.
• Free Blue Bikes membership.
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

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