The term “traffic clerk” can be interpreted in two ways, referring to two very different jobs. Both of these occupations are typically entry-level positions that do not pay well. They both require clerical work, such as recordkeeping, payment processing, and schedule maintenance. People interested in these professions can frequently find work in urban areas.
A traffic clerk is a court clerk who works for the traffic division in one sense. Because many people commit traffic infractions each year, and they all interact with the traffic clerk at some point, this is a busy division in the court system. The clerk accepts payments for traffic infractions, refers people to trial if they want to contest violations, keeps track of traffic violations and their resolution, and manages the court schedule. The local government usually hires court clerks, and traffic clerks are usually eligible for government benefits.
Administrative or secretarial skills are usually required to work as a court clerk in the traffic division. They can learn these skills through hands-on experience or through a training program designed to prepare people for careers as court clerks. It’s also usually necessary to have a basic understanding of legal terminology and court procedures, though some courthouses offer on-the-job training in these areas. Professional advancement can be limited in a large court, especially as people work their way up to supervisory clerk positions.
Someone who tracks freight for a shipping company or a company with a large shipping and receiving department is the other type of traffic clerk. Traffic clerks keep track of the goods that pass through their workplace, track shipments’ destinations, monitor incoming shipments, and keep track of shipping rates. They also keep track of damage, claims filed as a result of the damage, and other issues. Billing and payment tasks related to shipping activities can also be handled a traffic clerk.
In the shipping industry, traffic clerks frequently work in warehouses and other similar facilities. Hours vary company, and in a small business, they may also serve as shipping and receiving clerks, processing materials for shipment, handling incoming shipments, and so on. Aside from computer skills and the ability to stand for long periods of time, becoming a traffic clerk requires no special skills.