I work for the (City) Commission. I report to the City Commission. So I literally have five bosses. It's kind of tough at times, but it's interesting. Everyone kind of has their own personalities. We have the responsibility of preparing all the documents for all of the boards. We have five active boards that meet at least once a month. I prepare all the legal ads for the city. I'm the public records coordinator. There's just me and then I have a deputy city clerk and a student intern.
What kind of hours do you work?
A minimum of 40 hours up to 55 hours.
Do you deal with the public a lot?
Yes. If someone is calling to complain, I have to follow through to make sure they've contacted them. I have to make sure that the commission handles it, that it goes to the proper department throughout the city.
What's the typical reason a citizen calls you?
When they're upset about what the city hasn't done or has done. Or if they feel the administration hasn't handled something properly, I'll get the call. Usually I will refer it to the city manager and then he will follow through on it. I love my job. I just love the contact, I love the politics, I love working for government, I love the people I work with, and I love the community. I like helping people, and I think the clerk's office helps people.
You must be very organized.
Yes, that's one of the major skill sets for a city clerk.
How big is Indian Rocks Beach?
We have 5,000 people and 35 (city) employees.
How did you get this job?
Are you going to put what I did before in the paper? I worked for the FBI. And then I became deputy city clerk at the city of Gulfport. And when I was going to college I worked at the town of Redington Beach. At the FBI, I was just a secretary, administrative person, and I thought I could do more with my life.
How much do you make?
$57,000 a year.
What do you consider a good day on the job?
A good day on the job is when everything is handed in on time and the (City Commission) agenda packet can be processed when it's supposed to. We have to do all the coordination to get the City Commission agenda out to the public, and it's a good day when all that runs smoothly.
What do you consider a bad day?
When we get irate citizens calling and you try to explain to them what the process is and they won't listen and they hang up on you. There's a process that goes with everything and residents think you can just stop and do what they want you to right now. And when we have marathon commission meetings.
