Jim, in England a clerk is someone who keeps books (financial) and records.
The shop was a a labour exchange and it was a serious job description of totally barmy gibberish and jargon.
. My complaint about American is its insidious takeover of English by employing obfuscating words and long words and three words where one will do. It's getting bad over here and I'm afraid I'm turning into one of those sad old men who shouts at the radio when he hears something truly terrible!