Salary : $82,415.42 - $96,948.38 Annually
Location : City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Location: Finance & Admin. - City Clerk's Office
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Job Summary

Note: This role is a Temporary opportunity with an anticipated end date of June, 15 2027. The anticipated end date is subject to departmental and budgetary considerations.

Analyze, process, and respond to public records requests submitted to the City in compliance with state law, Model Rules adopted by the State Attorney General, and the City's ordinances and rules. Coordinate with the Public Records Officer and the City Attorney's Office in evaluating whether any record or part of a record is exempt, redacting records, and preparing appropriate redaction and exemption logs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Coordinate timely and appropriate responses to public disclosures requests received by the City.
• Maintain information tracking log, documentation, and statistics to substantiate compliance with Public Records Act requirements, the Model Rules, Kirkland Municipal Code, and Kirkland Public Records Act Rules.
• Administer the public disclosure software used for on-line requests and tracking.
• Provide training on public records compliance; consult with/direct City employees on the requirements of the Public Records Act and applicable City Code and rules.

Essential Functions:
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Communicate with requesters in order to provide "fullest assistance" to and "most timely possible action" on public disclosure requests, including clarifying and prioritizing elements of the requests, estimating reasonable timeframes for response, and memorializing the communications in writing. Prepare response letters to requestors; schedule appointments for review of records; oversee review of records; and respond to questions related to the City's public records ordinance and rules including the appeal process and closure of requests.
• Provide preliminary research on location of responsive records, and collaborate with departments on production of records responsive to requests. Establish timeframes for responses. Coordinate assembly of multi-departmental responses.
• Review collected records to ensure they are responsive and complete according to the request submitted to the City.
• Conduct research and analysis to determine if collected records are exempt from production in whole or in part, and coordinate with the City Attorney's Office for reviews of records, or portions of records, determined to be exempt. Redact exempt information from responsive records.
• Develop and maintain a variety of performance measures documenting volumes and complexity of requests and work effort required to comply with state law, policies and procedures.
• Provide routine updates on the status of requests and performance measures to Public Records Steering Team.
• Assist the City Attorney's Office in establishing/maintaining legal holds and collecting records in all media in response to litigation discovery requests.

Peripheral Duties:

• Provide backup for other City Clerk's Office functions as needed.
• Perform special projects in support of the City Clerk, City Attorney, and/or Director of Finance and Administration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience with public disclosure, litigation discovery, or records management preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Experience working within a complex records/information environment involving application and interpretation of rules, regulations, and policies.
• Experience in analyzing large volumes of complex information under strict legal deadlines. Must be able to manage multiple public records requests simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion and sound decision making when handling sensitive documents.
• Ability to conduct document and file searches in electronic and paper document filing systems. Ability to work with technical staff to access records in electronic file formats from various storage systems.
• Must be detail oriented and customer service focused.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Public Records Act and Attorney General's Model Rules.
• Ability to document information research, practices, and resources.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple and competing deadlines and priorities, organize and manage workload, and make decisions necessary to respond to information requests in an expeditious manner.
• Ability to work cooperatively and respectfully with the public and staff.
• Working knowledge of and demonstrated skill in the use of Microsoft: Office applications. Experience with electronic records or public disclosure systems is preferred.
• Able to develop and deliver training to department staff on public records compliance and records retention, including Kirkland public records ordinance and rules.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as part of a team.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent progressively responsible work experience in a position with similar duties in a legal setting or public agency environment, or similar, related experience.

Certificate in Paralegal Studies highly desirable.
Other

Working Conditions:
Perform work in an office environment. Prolonged periods of sitting and computer keyboard entry are a routine part of this job.
Position requires a resume and cover letter noting how you meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of application. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled with first review of applicants by 15th day of posting.

This position includes a health insurance benefit package with 100% City-paid premiums for 1.0 FTE (medical/dental/vision for employee and dependents). Premium is prorated for less than 1.0 FTE positions with cost shared between City and the employee.

Participation in the Public Employees Retirement System is mandatory for all eligible positions.

Other employment benefits include:

• 401b Municipal Employee Benefits Trust (MEBT) with 6.2% City matching contribution
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA dollars with City contribution (City contribution depending on employee elected medical plan)
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City paid Life Insurance
• City paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Paid vacation (starts with 13 days first year may be prorated for part-time positions)
• Annual 12 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Paid sick leave accruals (benefit may vary based on applicable bargaining unit)
• Paid Management Leave for select leadership positions

Perks include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Free EV charging at Level 2 and 3 chargers
• Free ORCA card for public transit
• Access to onsite fitness center and secure bike storage at City Hall
• Free employee parking
• Childcare programs with discounted tuition rates
• Wellness and transportation incentives

For further review of City Benefits and Perks please visit