Deputy of Elections

Description

THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 15, 2024, AT 5:00 PM.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

This is highly technical and supervisory work responsible for Elections in coordinating all functions associated with the operation of the department including support for all staff responsible for enforcing compliance with statutory mandates and directives governing the integrated process to coordinate, prepare and dispense all primary general, coordinated and other specified elections within the County, ensuring unbiased reporting of results, as well as cash management associated with revenues and fees as required by law. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Exercises direct and indirect supervision of positions, employees, operations, and activities within the Election Operations area; may include coordinating staff training, assigning, and reviewing work, participating in the interview and selection process, making recommendations impacting pay status and disciplinary action, evaluating performance, and approving time off.
• Mentors staff professional growth to ensure accountability, accuracy and efficiency, and use of problem solving in the face of adversity and unanticipated challenges.
• Ensures successful election operations. Organizes and ensures appropriate training and cross-training of elections team on all aspects of carrying out the Colorado voting model (including but not limited to early voting, voter service and polling centers (VSPC), ballot drop boxes, election judge procurement and training, voter registration, and voting system).
• Collaborates with leadership in the administration of State and Federal election laws and appropriately coordinates with the Clerk and Recorder, Distribution Center Supervisor, and the elections team for the successful completion of each election cycle.
• Reviews, analyzes, and explains state election statutes, rules, and the constitution.
• Participates in State and County election committees, meetings, and trainings as requested to ensure County and department needs are considered and met; advises management staff and elections staff of activities and actions; maintains an awareness of activities in other counties and other states pertaining to elections programs and policies.
• Provides information and assistance to other counties and states as assigned.
• Collaborates with leadership to assure completion and timely submission of election plan filings (Election Plan, Security and Contingency Plan, Watcher Accommodation Plan, etc.) with the Secretary of State pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes.
• Collaborates in the implementation of VSPCs (during tiered early voting and Election Day cycles), including site selection and layouts; supply and ballot inventories; hiring election workers and training them as required to interact accurately and independently with voters – ensuring minimal wait times and errors. .
• Collaborates in the creation and regular updating of judge process manuals.
• Collaborates with leadership in the appropriate planning and execution of ballot creation and mail ballot processes, including working with off-site ballot vendor to ensure accuracy and statutory compliance of design, scalability, and quality control of all areas.
• Collaborates with leadership in overseeing ballot return processes, including voter anonymity, signature verification, counting procedures, auditing, etc.
• Collaborates with leadership in overseeing the voter registration process to ensure compliance and quality control on all database entries; ensure compliance with state and federal voter registration laws. 
• Collaborates with leadership in overseeing the petition (candidate, initiatives, and referendums) process as they are filed.
• Oversees the distribution of state and public data requests.
• Collaborates with leadership to supervise the vote tabulation system including ballot design and layout, off-site vendor scheduling and quality assurance; database integrity and completeness; participate in the creation of the ballot order and deployment of ballots to all voting locations; proofing of visual and auditory ballots, etc.
• Initiates Inter-governmental Agreements with all entities participating in the election.
• Collaborates with leadership to supervise the voting equipment testing and auditing; ensure statutory compliance with state report filings, public notice filings, and the state directed auditing of live ballots.
• Collaborates in redistricting and representing processes as statutorily required.
• Collaborates with leadership in maintaining the election cycle calendar and overseeing staff activities to ensure compliance with all deadlines and job assignments during peak and non-peak cycles.
• Monitors budget and provide input for the creation of budgets.
• Investigates, interprets, analyzes, and prepares recommendations in relation to proposals for new programs and services.

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs special studies and projects as assigned and required.
• Testifies on legislative proposals as assigned and required.
• Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate, to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field; review professional journals, attend associate and professional meetings, and otherwise maintain contacts with professionals to facilitate exchange of information.
• Research and tracks pending election legislation for the current session of the Colorado General Assembly; analyze procedural and fiscal impacts of pending bills and convey those impacts in a timely manner to members of the Colorado Association of County Clerk and Recorders Legislative Committee as appropriate; respond to elected officials' requests for information regarding pending bills; identify and analyze changes to Secretary of State Rules.
• Provides public relations support to Clerk and Recorder as appropriate.
• Works in any Clerk and Recorder department when necessary.
• When a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of Commissioners, all Elbert County employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker.
• Performs other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• General office practices and procedures.
• Routine software and business application including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Read and comprehend department and County rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
• Regular, predictable attendance.
• Principles, practices, and objectives as related to the Clerk and Recorder.
• Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 1, election laws and other relevant statutory references to the election process; Secretary of State Rules and regulations as directed by statute; Federal election laws as applicable including, but not limited to, The Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the National Voting Rights Act of 1963.
• Leadership that instinctively, nimbly, and adequately takes responsibility for leading the team and getting the job done – especially when election deadlines are imminent.
• Research techniques, sources, and availability of information as well as methods of report presentation.
• Principles and best practices of elections, project management, public relations, budget analysis, data analysis, and personnel management.
• Supervisory principles, procedures and methods including selection, training, discipline, and evaluation.
• Routine software and business applications including, but not limited to, voter registration, election management, layouts, scheduling, and project management.
• Properly read and interpret statutes.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.
• Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
• The elections process is extremely complex and requires accuracy and detailed attention. Stress is most definitely a factor in this position.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Three (3) years of supervisory experience
• Five (5) years increasingly responsible Elections experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, voter's registration in the State of Colorado.
• Possession of or ability to obtain, in the next two (2) years, a Colorado State Election Certification.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, Election Center certification.
• Possession of a valid Colorado Driver's License by date of hire.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Colorado Driver’s License 
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record 
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION

Normally individual performs work indoors in a controlled standard office environment. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.  

Physical Requirements of Position:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

Driving: Occasionally

Balancing: Frequently

Bending/Stooping: Frequently

Twisting: Frequently

Squatting/Crouching: Occasionally

Kneeling: Occasionally

Crawling: Occasionally

Climbing Stairs: Occasionally

Climbing Ladders: Occasionally

Reaching: Frequently

Standing/Walking: Frequently

Lifting: Occasionally

Lifting: 1 lb. Minimum/ 30 lbs. Maximum

Carrying: 1 lb. Minimum/ 30 lbs. Maximum

Push/Pull: 1 lb. Minimum/ 30 lbs. Maximum