Municipal Clerks

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This series of core courses is designed to train Municipal Clerks and related personnel in the duties and responsibilities of their office. In addition to Municipal Clerks, other municipal officials are invited to enroll in the courses, provided space is available and the prerequisites are satisfied. The instructional staff is composed of persons who are experienced members of the field, many of whom are or have served in executive positions of the Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey.

Courses are scheduled in both the fall and spring semesters at varied locations throughout the state. Times and locations are announced in advance of each semester.

**Certificates are awarded for the satisfactory completion of each program, which is defined as attendance at 80 percent of the class hours, a passing grade of 80, and full payment of all fees. **

Program Courses

Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk - 21 hours
No prerequisite

This course serves to acquaint the student with the statutory and some of the non-statutory duties of the Municipal Clerk and offers a general introduction to municipal government. Specific areas of responsibility covered are: the core duties, legalized games of chance, meeting agendas and minutes, open public meetings, general office procedures, and various licenses and licensing procedures. There is a review and examination.

Advanced Duties of the Municipal Clerk - 21 hours
Prerequisite: Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk

A more detailed and technical description of the Municipal Clerk's office is presented in this course. Subjects include personnel policies and procedures, municipal land use law, financial duties, and other varied miscellaneous duties. There is a review and examination.

Local Election Administration - 18 hours

This course is designed to acquaint students with Title 19, the goals of which are to assure a fair and open electoral process, full participation by the electorate, and clear lines of responsibility for elected officials. Topics covered are: responsibility of the County Board of Elections and the County Clerk's office, voter registration, petitions and referenda, political party procedure. Also covered are Faulkner Act election procedures and Charter Study Law and procedures. There is a review and examination. (The prerequisite sequence to attend this course may be waived with permission of the Municipal Clerks Education Committee.)

Information and Records Management - 18 hours

The management of information continues to undergo revolutionary change. Terminologies as well as processes have changed dramatically. Retention of records and records filing have evolved into management information systems. This course teaches essential records management techniques and addresses the role of "Clerk as Information Manager." An in-class final and take-home examination are given.

Municipal Finance Administration for Municipal Clerks - 24 hours
Prerequisite: Advanced Duties of the Municipal Clerk

This course is designed to provide a foundation for a better understanding of local government fiscal affairs. Major areas covered are: the institutional framework of local government, the state's role in supervision and assistance, local public contracts law, municipal caps, municipal budgeting, budget execution, and local budget law and local bond law. A final exam is given.

Municipal Clerk Review Course - 18 hours
Text: Study Guide for NJ Municipal Clerks, 2004 (bring your updated copy)

Topics include those outlined in the narrative of the listed course descriptions. THIS COURSE DOES NOT INCLUDE A REVIEW OF THE STATE EXAM QUESTIONS, and is not required to take the State certification examination.  This program is a review of the NJ Municipal Clerk courses, and is offered prior to the State Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) Examination.  This class is open only to those persons who have successfully completed the Municipal Clerk courses.  This course is not required to take the New Jersey State Certification Exam.

Study Guide Information

The 2004 Study Guide for New Jersey Municipal Clerks is required for all Municipal Clerk courses. The Study Guide is provided at the Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk course.

The "Study Guide" is updated annually. Supplements are available in January. Students are responsible for having the most current version of the Study Guide at each course. For information on the purchase of Study Guides and supplements, please call 732/932-3640, ext. 648, or click here for the order form.

Registration

Please click here for a registration form. Telephone registrations cannot be accepted. Early registration is advisable. The University reserves the right to cancel any course if there are insufficient enrollments.

Note: Online Registration is Currently Unavailable.

Upon receipt of your completed application form, and check or voucher, a class space will be reserved for you. No confirmation will be sent. All classes are limited to 25 students.

Withdrawal

CGS will refund the full course fee less a $25 processing charge to any student who notifies CGS in writing of his/her intent to withdraw. Notices of withdrawal must be submitted at least 48 hours before the course is scheduled to start. Withdrawal notices sent by fax (732/932-3586) will be accepted as well as notices sent by mail. Send withdrawal notice to:

NJ Municipal Clerks Program
Center for Government Services
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
303 George Street - Suite 604
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2020

Information

For more information about registering, please call 732/932-3640, ext. 648 or email mariad@rutgers.edu.

New Jersey Certification

Certification and State Exam

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133 et al., Chapter 174, P.L. 1985, Municipal Clerks may qualify for certification by the State of New Jersey as Registered Municipal Clerk. Examinations for Registered Municipal Clerk are given periodically by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Certification Unit, Division of Local Government Services. (DLGS)

For information on experience and other requirements for attaining certification, please contact the Division of Local Government Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, at 609/633-6349.
Web site: www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/certunit/certmenu.shtml

Re-certification

All persons holding the certification of Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) in the State of New Jersey are required to obtain 20 contact hours of continuing education during a two (2) year period.

for opportunities.

Continuing Education

International Institute of Municipal Clerks Programs (IIMC)
Certified Municipal Clerk Institute 

The IIMC requires a minimum of 100 hours of University instruction to qualify for the CMC professional designation. Municipal Clerks in New Jersey who have earned the state Registered Municipal Clerk designation have satisfied one-half of the educational requirement. Each four-day Institute fulfills one-fourth of the educational requirement. The CMC Institute focuses primarily on topics relating to management, communication, and leadership. IIMC membership is required for attendance. A separate announcement is mailed.

Master Municipal Clerk Academy

This two-day program is designed to offer training and education in advanced management and interpersonal subject areas. Its purpose is to promote advanced continuing education of the professional Municipal Clerk. CMC designation is a prerequisite for this program. A separate announcement is mailed.

Effective in the year 2000, this Academy replaced the IIMC Academy for Advanced Education. Questions about IIMC programs can be directed to Institute Director, Pamela Chappelle at 732/932-3640, ext. 622, or 909-944-4162 or the IIMC directly.

Cooperating Agencies

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services
Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey, Inc.
International Institute of Municipal Clerks

Lifelong Learning Tax Reporting Requirements

Since you may be eligible for a tax deduction under the Lifelong Learning Tax Act, Rutgers records the name, address, and social security number of all Continuing Education participants.