Election Coordinator

Job Summary

The Property Records & Taxpayer Services Elections Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and administering election operations for Washington County in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. This position plans, organizes, and oversees critical election functions including voter registration, absentee and early voting, candidate filing, election technology, ballot programming, training, and election reporting to ensure accurate, secure, accessible, and transparent elections for all voters.

Employment Criteria

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: - Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, communication or closely related field and 2 (two) years related work experience in any combination of the following, elections, training, project management, or public administration. - High school diploma or GED and 5 (five) years directly related work experience in any combination of the following, elections, training, project management, or public administration. Within a year of being hired in the position, the Elections Coordinator must obtain County Auditor certification in accordance with Minnesota Statute 204B.27 and MR 8240 in order to administer elections and train local election officials and judges.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE:

Support and prioritize a welcoming and respectful workplace that fosters diversity and encourages contributions from all individuals. Provide inclusive and equitable service to all members of the community with dignity and respect. Demonstrate support for the County’s diversity, equity and inclusion program. Promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement in the workplace. Demonstrates knowledge of, or ability to learn, quality/continuous improvement. Ability to interface with elected officials, candidates, media, high level campaign operatives, community activists, etc. Communication skills to collaborate with municipal, school district, and state level government. Demonstrates extensive knowledge of elections laws, statutes and procedures. Demonstrates knowledge of all filing and voting rules. Understands how to train elections field staff to perform elections duties. Uses database to prepare reports. Becomes proficient in elections software, voting machines and equipment. Follows all County policies and State Elections Statutes.

Duties & Responsibilities

Coordinate and administer township, municipal, school district, special, state primary, and state general elections. Coordinate absentee and early voting processes, procedures, reporting, and compliance activities. Develop and implement procedures, forms, and methods to improve operational efficiency, accuracy, and customer service. Interpret, apply, and maintain compliance with Minnesota election statutes, administrative rules, policies, and guidance from the Office of the Secretary of State. Maintain and update election management systems, voter registration systems, election night reporting systems, ballot programming systems, and related election software. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues involving election systems, voting equipment, and election operations. Verify the accuracy of election system updates, precinct assignments, ballot styles, and voter data. Coordinate candidate filing, campaign finance filing, and statements of economic interest processes. Collect and process Affidavits of Candidacy from municipal, township, and school district clerks. Coordinate ballot programming, proofing, printing, and testing to ensure statutory compliance and election accuracy. Coordinate accuracy testing of voting equipment and election systems prior to elections. Review plats, boundary changes, and precinct information to verify voter and candidate eligibility. Select, inspect, and coordinate polling locations and troubleshoot polling place and equipment issues. Respond to and resolve election-day operational issues and questions. Document and refer potential election law violations to the County Attorney as appropriate. Serve as a professional, impartial, and nonpartisan representative of Washington County. Serve as a lead worker by assigning and coordinating work activities and providing operational guidance to staff. Develop, revise, and maintain election training materials, instructional manuals, procedures, forms, and correspondence. Recruit, interview, hire, train, and lead seasonal and temporary election staff. Train election judges, municipal clerks, and staff on election procedures, software systems, and voting equipment. Assist in budget development and provide recommendations related to election operations, technology, and staffing. Compile, analyze, calculate, and prepare election-related reports and operational data. Conduct historical and election-related research as needed. Research and respond to complex election questions from voters, candidates, elected officials, municipalities, school districts, and other stakeholders. Provide high-quality customer service regarding elections, voter registration, absentee voting, polling places, and election processes. Prepare, maintain, and retain records in accordance with records retention requirements and department policies. Perform administrative, financial, and recordkeeping duties related to election operations. Maintain and prepare joint powers agreements, routine reports, forms, certificates, correspondence, and related documentation. Perform other duties as assigned. Essential Functions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28.

Work Environment

Work is sedentary (sitting and/or standing) in nature performed within the Government Center or satellite offices. Lifting requirement of 15-20 pounds on an occasional basis. Wrist and finger manipulation due to filing, compiling, calculating, or computer work. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, typewriter, calculator, telephone, camera, ten key machine, bar code machine, mail opener, scanner, printer, voter equipment, microfiche reading, copier and fax machine. Work interruptions are frequent. There is some pressure associated with dealing with individuals who may be emotionally charged and with project or activity deadlines and details. Driving or riding to work at a service center, attend meetings, participate in or lead training sessions, etc. may be required. Must have own means of reliable transportation for business purposes; individuals operating a motor vehicle for county business must possess a valid driver's license. During elections work may require assisted lifting of voting equipment up to 80 pounds.

Benefits

Washington County offers a comprehensive benefit package including paid time off, holidays, medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of our AFSCME exempt (salaried) benefit package, click here. For a more detailed overview of our AFSCME non-exempt (hourly) benefit package, click here.