PRINCIPAL CLERK

DEFINITION: 

Under the general supervision of a supervisory official, performs complex 
clerical work requiring knowledge and independent interpretation of 
department laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as the 
frequent exercise of independent judgment; may take the lead over the 
work of a clerical unit; does related work as required.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only.  
A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job 
specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

NOTE:  Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills.

20044D - Bilingual in Spanish and English.
SPECIAL SKILL:		
Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate 
in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. 

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Organizes assigned clerical work; analyzes the problems which arise therein, 
and develops effective work methods.

Reviews, checks, and certifies reports, applications, forms, and other 
documents for correctness where difficult determinations are concerned.

May be required to take the lead over other clerical staff.

Prepares designated correspondence which may not be reviewed by a 
supervisor in accordance with established department regulations.

Processes requests for information in accordance with department policies.

Composes and sends routine correspondence in response to inquiries.

Gives information according to department regulations, in person and by 
telephone.

Answers the telephone and takes messages accurately.

Interviews callers at the office and schedules appointments.

Conducts routine business with customers.

Prepares the agenda of meetings, conferences, and hearings.

May be required to type or data enter information which is uncomplicated 
and does not require skill or speed.

May use varied types of common office equipment in temporary assignments 
in which skill and speed are not primary requirements and special training is 
not necessary. 

Gathers and compiles information as requested.

Assists in collecting material and editing speeches, reports, and articles.

Maintains essential records, reports, and files.

May assist with planning and revising clerical procedures and office routines.

Compiles, tabulates, and interprets data and statistics.

Prepares statistical, financial, and other reports.

Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or 
related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years of experience in clerical work.

NOTE:  Successful completion of a clerical training program with a minimum 
of 700 classroom training hours or thirty (30) semester hour credits in 
secretarial science from an accredited college or university may be substituted 
for one (1) year of general experience indicated above. Coursework must 
include keyboarding skills, methods, and procedures, and other courses may 
include office procedures, word processing, and business English.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey 
only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary 
to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of problems encountered in organizing assigned clerical work 
and in developing effective work methods.

Knowledge of modern office and clerical methods, practices, routines, and 
equipment.

Knowledge of approved English usage, correct spelling, sentence structure, 
and paragraphing.

Knowledge of organizational rules and practices.

Ability to comprehend and interpret department regulations and policies and 
apply them to specific situations in accordance with established procedures.

Ability to organize assigned clerical work and develop effective work methods.

Ability to take the lead, assign, and instruct other office/clerical staff.

Ability to perform detailed and technical clerical work of a varied nature.

Ability to process requests for information in accordance with established 
procedures.

Ability to work effectively with associates, supervisory officials, and with 
those persons interested in or concerned with the work of the office.

Ability to compose clear, concise, and appropriate correspondence in 
accordance with established department policies.

Ability to do uncomplicated typing which does not require skill or speed 
on a sporadic basis.

Ability to use varied common office equipment in temporary assignments 
where skill and speed are not primary requirements and special training is 
not necessary.

Ability to prepare reports.

Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.

Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related 
units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American Sign Language 
or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform 
the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 
If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer 
undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which
are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
20044
S
C
35
12
N/A
A11
-
20044D
Bilingual In Spanish & English
S
C
35
12
N/A
A11
-

This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 6/3/2023