Photo courtesy of City of Woodinville
Jennifer Kuhn is the new City Clerk

For City of Woodinville employee Jennifer Kuhn, the position of City Clerk is a natural fit for her qualifications and experience. “I’ve been working for the City for the past seven years as Administrative Assistant in the Finance Department,” explains Kuhn. “In that position, I was the support person for the City Clerk and over the years, I have learned a lot about what is involved in the job. It just seemed like a natural pathway for me career wise.”

At the end of the month, Sandra Parker, the current City Clerk, will retire after 11 years of service to Woodinville and Kuhn will assume her position. “Sandra has been my mentor and she’s helped move me in this direction,” adds Kuhn. “I’ve also been attending professional development classes and working toward my Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) title for the past four years. I will receive this certification in December.”

In Kuhn’s words, the position of City Clerk is an “odd job” because it’s not a career you work toward when you’re in school. “Most people stumble into this direction,” admits Kuhn. The City Clerk is in charge of records retention for the city, in addition to overseeing City Council meetings. The individual in this role prepares the meeting agendas, oversees parliamentary rules that govern the meetings, records the minutes of the meetings and posts ordinances and resolutions, among other responsibilities.

“The City Clerk acts as a resource for the public to help them get the information they need,” adds Kuhn. “In this job, you need to have a good feel for the requirements and you need to know where the resources are located to get the information. It’s important to be organized, efficient and detail-oriented.”

Kuhn, a Woodinville resident for 11 years, spent 23 years doing administrative work in the grocery industry before coming to work for the City of Woodinville.

She has enjoyed being an administrative assistant and manning the front desk: a position that has allowed her to meet people and to keep her finger on the pulse of the city.

“It’s really kept me in tune with what’s going on in Woodinville,” says Kuhn. “This city is such a great place. I love it here. I live, work and play here and I’ve raised my kids here, too. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of this city.”

Kuhn admits that filling her predecessor’s shoes will not be an easy task. “Sandra is amazing. She is phenomenal. She knows everything about city government and I just wish I could take all her knowledge and experience and clone it for me. I will really miss her. She’s been a great part of the city, but I know she’ll always be there for me, just a phone call away if I need her help.”

Those at City Hall aren’t worried about Kuhn’s ability to step into Parker’s shoes.

Jim Katica, City of Woodinville Finance Director, says, “Jennifer has demonstrated a willingness to serve her community and co-workers with a work ethic and demeanor that is exemplary. During her seven years with the city, she took the initiative to learn the nuances and responsibilities of the City Clerk position. Her dedication has resulted in her well-deserved appointment. We are all very proud of her and her accomplishments and we know she will do well.”

In her new position, Kuhn has set a few personal goals. She plans to work toward earning her Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) title, which will involve a 10 year process of continued education, and eventually she hopes to be able to mentor someone else in the field.

When Kuhn is not busy working for the city, she enjoys taking long walks on the Tolt Pipeline, gardening, scrapbooking and spending time with her husband, David, and her two teenage children, Kari and Kyle. “And don’t forget my cat Cheeto,” she adds.