Director Elections

Gila, County of (AZ); Globe (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gila County is seeking an Elections Director to plan and oversee county elections, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with all applicable laws. The role involves coordinating ballot order and distribution, acquiring election equipment, and guiding the budget and department operations.

The position includes public information duties, interaction with candidates and committees, and oversight of districting activities in alignment with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree required with seven years of business elections or administrative experience, including two years supervisory experience.
• Election Officer Certification or equivalent credentials preferred; Notary/Public documents may be relevant.

Responsibilities

• Plans and organizes elections; trains, directs, and supervises staff in conduct of elections.
• Ensures information and forms are available to candidates and committees and filings are maintained per laws.
• Coordinates ballot order, layout, proofing, and distribution of ballots.
• Acquires equipment and materials for elections; ensures polling sites meet ADA requirements.
• Prepares and manages department budget and expenditures.
• Provides public with information about elections and voting processes.
• Administers redistricting and special taxing districts; coordinates hearings with the Board of Supervisors.

Skills

Active listening

Analytical thinking

Reading

Diplomatic communication

Customer service

Training delivery

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Associate degree

Job description

The purpose of this position is to ensure that elections are conducted in accordance with all laws and regulations and that the public is aware of proper procedures.

This position plans and organizes elections as well as trains and supervises election staff. The Director provides information to candidates and committees, coordinates ballot order and distribution, and acquires necessary equipment and materials. The role performs duties related to the budget, customer service, tax districts and hearings with the Board of Supervisors.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regularly assigns work to other employees and supervises related activities.

Makes final decisions on hiring employees; scheduling work hours of employees; evaluating employee performance; handling employee grievances; employee training; granting time off; employee promotions; employee salary increases; disciplinary actions; employee coaching; discharging employees; managing assistants and managing supervisors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans and organizes elections; trains, directs, and supervises staff in conduct of elections. (30%)
• Ensures necessary information and forms are available to candidates and political committees and that candidate and committee filings are maintained in accordance with all applicable laws. (10%)
• Coordinates County, State, Federal and jurisdictional ballot order, layout, and proofing along with ordering and distribution of regular and early ballots. (10%)
• Acquires equipment and materials needed for conduct of election, including polling place supplies to electronic voting devices; ensures locations for polling sites comply with Federal law as it pertains to Americans with Disabilities Act. (10%)
• Prepares and implements budget; supervises department expenditure. (10%)
• Provides public with information about elections. (10%)
• Creates special taxing districts, which includes preparing petitions and documents. (10%)
• Administers redistricting and special districts; coordinates hearings with Board of Supervisors and submission of final documents to appropriate agencies that establish special districts; assists special districts with filing of candidate documents and conducts elections in accordance with applicable laws. (10%)
• Performs other duties as assigned.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES

This position reviews, approves for submission and presents departmental and project level budget.

PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides project research and clerical support on organzional planning projects.

ORAL COMMUNICATION DUTIES

This position trains colleagues, explains County procedures or processes, responds to public inquiries, participates in meetings, gives presentations, moderates gatherings, speaks with the media, advocates before courts or other tribunals and negotiates or persuades.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION DUTIES

This position creates or edits documents, internal memos, emails, procedures, formal letters, press releases, proposals and grants and reports.

INTERACTIONS WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Interacts extensively with employees, the public, Board of Supervisors, regulatory bodies, and other Institutions over the telephone, by email, and/or in person.

INTERACTIONS SPECIFICALLY WITH CUSTOMERS

Continuously (More than 70% but less than 85% in a year)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Associate’s Degree, and seven (7) years business elections or administrative experience, including two (2) years supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstates the ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS REQUIRED/PREFERRED

Election Officer Certification issued by the Arizona Secretary of State. Notary Public Commission, Handwriting Analysis Certification.

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

Administration and management; customer and personal service; training; law and government; Federal, State, Local laws, regulations, Statutes. Conduct of elections; election processes and equipment; Federal Voting Rights Act; ADA requirements governing election activities; County jurisdictional boundaries; special taxing districts; intergovernmental agreements relative to election services; business English, spelling and mathematics; methods for acquiring polling locations; processes for recruiting and training election workers; election reporting requirements; processes for administering departmental budgets; supervisory principles, practices and methods.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Active listening; analytical thinking; reading; communicating diplomatically; customer service; delivering training; problem solving; time management. Effectively communicating in written and verbal forms; writing and completing accurate reports; legal documents and correspondence. Overseeing and directing County elections activities and personnel.

ABILITIES REQUIRED

Focus; multi-task; speak clearly and sensibly; maintain calm demeanor in stressful situations; deductive reasoning.

Direct County election activities; ensure compliance with regulations governing elections; coordinate the redistricting of County jurisdictions; coordinate the acquisition of voting equipment and polling locations; analyze legal documents and interpret statutory requirements; supervise the recruitment and training of election workers; assign and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands; plan, prioritize and carry out assignments with minimum supervision; demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships in bringing people together to solve problems; prepare and maintain election reporting in compliance with reporting requirements; supervise, lead, and delegate tasks and authority.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Reguarly stands to present; routinely stands to attend to customers.
• Regularly sits to complete report and operate computers; routinely sits to complete a program; rarely sits to attend to reception areas.
• May be required to lift work related materials or equipment up to 75 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbents in this position constantly spends time in office environment; spends time in lobby environment; occasionally spends time in classroom(s) and in automobile.

SAFETY RISK EXPOSURE

Incumbents in this position are generally not exposed to safety risk; may become exposed to telephone verbal abuse by customers or citizens, individuals with high level of emotional distress.

PROTECTIVE GEAR & SAFETY MANUALS

Incumbents in this position are required to constantly follow written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department.

CONSEQUENCES OF ERROR

Potential errors can have legal ramifications, loss of funding, loss of organization's credibility.