File clerks


The amount of information generated by organizations continues to grow rapidly. File clerks classify, store, retrieve, and update this information. In many small offices, they often have additional responsibilities, such as entering data, performing word processing, sorting mail, and operating copying or fax machines. File clerks are employed across the Nation by organizations of all types.
File clerks, also called records, information, or record-center clerks, examine incoming material and code it numerically, alphabetically, or by subject matter. They then store paper forms, letters, receipts, or reports ,or enter necessary information into other storage devices. Some clerks operate mechanized files that rotate to bring the needed records to them; others convert documents to film that is then stored on microforms, such as microfilm or microfiche. A growing number of file clerks use imaging systems that scan paper files or film and store the material on optical disks.
In order for records to be useful, they must be up to date and accurate. File clerks ensure that new information is added to files in a timely manner and may discard outdated file materials or transfer them to inactive storage. They also check files at regular intervals to make sure that all items are correctly sequenced and placed. Whenever records cannot be found, the file clerk attempts to locate the missing material. As an organization�s needs for information change, file clerks implement changes to the filing system established by supervisory personnel.
When records are requested, file clerks locate them and give them to the person requesting them. A record may be a sheet of paper stored in a file cabinet or an image on microform. In the former case, the clerk retrieves the document manually and hands or forwards it to the requester. In the latter case, the clerk retrieves the microform and displays it on a microform reader. If necessary, file clerks make copies of records and distribute them. In addition, they keep track of materials removed from the files, to ensure that borrowed files are returned.
Increasingly, file clerks are using computerized filing and retrieval systems that have a variety of storage devices, such as a mainframe computer, CD-ROM, or floppy disk. To retrieve a document in these systems, the clerk enters the document�s identification code, obtains the location of the document, and gets the document for the patron. Accessing files in a computer database is much quicker than locating and physically retrieving paper files. Still, even when files are stored electronically, backup paper or electronic copies usually are also kept.

Related news articles
Longview Housing Authority - 16 Oct 2006
Longview Daily News,Longview Housing Authority has an opening for a part-time (20 hrs per week) File Clerk and part-time (24 hrs per week) Assistant Prop. ...

Law students come to retiree's rescue - 16 Oct 2006
Sun-Sentinel.com,...t lose enough money. The former file clerk had lost her life savings, but that amounted to less than $63,000. The TV attorney she ...

52 years ago, Kingston `duo' met - Oct 13, 2006
San Jose Mercury News,...behalf. ``They were just normal students,'' said Skala, who met the group when she came to work on campus as a file clerk in 1957. ...

Persistence pays off for Texas' Ross - Oct 13, 2006
Lufkin Daily News,Then 20 years old, Ross lived with friends as he worked as a file clerk in a doctor's office while repeating that sophomore English class at Tyler John Tyler ...

Eleanor M. (Bubnic) Kaporc - Oct 11, 2006
News-Herald.com,8, KSKJ 169, Slovenian Women's Union, SNPJ 576 and Waterloo Workman's Home Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. Kaporc worked as a file clerk, at Terex for 20 years. ...

'Lord Byron' Had the Swing, the Laurels - Oct 2, 2006
Rapid City Journal,After graduating from high school, Nelson got a job as a file clerk in the accounting office of the Forth Worth and Denver Railroad and played golf in his ...

Dr. Feel Worse - Sep 20, 2006
Nashville Scene,...patients. Patsy Harvey, who worked for Feldman as a part-time file clerk, was also pressed into duty to administer injections. She ...

Rep. Reynolds [Ramesh Ponnuru] - Oct 3, 2006
National Review Online Blogs,I don't find his I-sent-this-to-my-supervisor-to-deal-with defense terribly inspiring. Is he a file clerk or a congressman? It's ...

Chatfield Valedictorian Awarded $5,000 Scholarship - Oct 5, 2006
YourHub.com,In addition to having worked at Colorado Credit Union as both a teller and a file clerk, Jenna's other community activities include tutoring elementary school ...

FYI: Construction on 706 should end by spring - Oct 1, 2006
Lufkin Daily News,Great pay! Experience a plus. Some weekends. 936-671....(more). Clerical Receptionist/File Clerk needed for small law office. Must have gr....(more). ...

The usual raises, the usual secrecy - Sep 24, 2006
Wilmington Morning Star,The argument apparently is that the law that protects the evaluation of a file clerk also protects the evaluations of three top and well-paid employees hired ...

The paperless office remains a myth - Sep 21, 2006
Arizona Republic,...safe to the fail-safe," Attwell said. That means a crowded in box on file clerk Teresa Church's desk. On a recent morning, it held ...

Golf great Byron Nelson dead at 94 - Sep 26, 2006
Malaysia Star,After graduating from school, Nelson got a job as a file clerk in the accounting office of the Forth Worth and Denver Railroad and played golf in his spare time ...

Private Sector: Hewlett-Packard's problems teach lessons about ... - Sep 25, 2006
Pittsburgh Post Gazette,...key. An enterprising reporter could probably read minutes for an hour before any associate, secretary or file clerk noticed. They ...

Byron Nelson, 94, golf champ whose passion was ranching - Sep 27, 2006
Boston Globe,...ranch. After earning his high school diploma, he worked as a file clerk in the accounting office of Fort Worth and Denver Railway Co. ...

Cover-up allegations by Milgaard team 'corrupt,' official tells ... - Sep 14, 2006
National Post,...news conference, where Milgaard's mother, Joyce Milgaard, and lawyer Hersh Wolch presented the allegations of a then-unnamed former government file clerk. ...

Lord Byron: A fine gentleman - Sep 27, 2006
Philadelphia Daily News,He turned pro the following year, during the Great Depression. He was a file clerk in an accounting office, but lost his job. He ...

Byron Nelson, 94, Golf's Gentleman Champ - Sep 27, 2006
New York Sun,...after he was 34. After graduating from high school, Nelson got a job as a file clerk and played golf in his spare time. He lost his ...






More information on File clerks from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of File clerks occupation
Number of File clerks in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for File clerks
Working conditions for File clerks
Significant points for File clerks
Training requirements for File clerks




Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search
Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new