Municipal Clerks: Examining a Model of Job Satisfaction

Using data from a survey of municipal clerks in the state of Illinois, this research tests a model of job satisfaction for municipal employees based on previous research by Ellickson and Logsdon. Our hypothesis is that the model will not hold true for this sub-group of municipal employees because municipal clerks are different from other public sector employees. Clerks are different in part because their job duties and responsibilities are set out by statute, there is a great deal of autonomy, and the position is one often held by females. Further, this research examines whether there are differences in perceptions of job satisfaction between elected and appointed clerks, and examines the factors that influence the variation in the overall job satisfaction of municipal clerks.