Election Workforce Specialist

Chester-County-of-Pennsylvania; Westtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Chester County of Pennsylvania is seeking an Election Workforce Specialist to support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing staffing for Election Day operations. The role requires coordinating with boards of elections, verifying voter registration status, and serving as a liaison for prospective election personnel.

The position involves training program development, documentation of staffing and certifications, and ensuring adherence to election laws.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, political science, education, communications, or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience developing and delivering training programs, curricula, or instructional materials.
• Experience working in elections, government administration, staffing coordination, or related operations.
• Strong understanding of election worker roles and applicable election laws, or the demonstrated ability to learn them quickly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with election personnel and the public.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large volumes of data and records with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with standard office software and the ability to learn specialized systems such as statewide voter registration systems.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as required during election periods.

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment and outreach initiatives to identify prospective election workers, volunteers, and student poll workers.
• Assist the Senior Election Workforce Specialist to ensure all polling places are adequately staffed each election cycle.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of election personnel, volunteers, and staffing schedules.
• Assist with maintaining comprehensive Election Worker appointment lists for submission to the Board of Elections for review and approval.
• Use the Commonwealth’s Voter Registration System to verify voter registration status for all volunteers and election workers.
• Serve as a professional and responsive point of contact for inbound phone calls, emails, and online inquiries from prospective and current election personnel.
• Assist the Senior Election Workforce Specialist with the Student Poll Worker program.
• Assist both classroom and hands-on training sessions to ensure personnel understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Possess a clear understanding of the roles of Election Day personnel, including Judges of Election, Majority and Minority Inspectors, Clerks, Machine Operators, Student Poll Workers, Elected and Appointed Constables, and Poll Watchers.
• Assist with training and operational support for specialized programs, including the Roamer Program.
• Serve as a resource for Election Day personnel, providing guidance on procedures, responsibilities, and legal requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of staffing assignments, certifications, training attendance, and contact information.
• Process paysheets to ensure timely and accurate compensation for all Election Day personnel.
• Support operational logistics related to election worker deployment, training sessions, and Election Day staffing.
• Ensure all workforce processes comply with state and local election laws, regulations, and administrative procedures.
• Assist other teams within Voter Services as needed, particularly during peak election periods.
• Work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during election cycles.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency, operational consistency, and overall election workforce performance.
• Participate in post-election debriefs to capture lessons learned and incorporate improvements into future planning.
• Support special projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening the election workforce program and voter services operations.
• Coordinate and communicate with internal teams, external partners, and community organizations to enhance recruitment and training efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Data management

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

PeopleSoft

Commonwealth Voter Registration System

Job description

The Election Workforce Specialist is responsible for supporting all recruiting initiatives, and responding to all inbound communication related to Election Day staffing. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable in laws pertaining to Election Officers and understand how they become Elected or appointed.

Election Operations Availability:

Recognizes the critical nature of election operations by maintaining availability during designated election blackout periods. During these periods, which occur immediately before and following each election, annual leave may be restricted to ensure adequate staffing for election preparation, Election Day operations, post-election canvassing, and other time-sensitive election activities. Employees are expected to support operational needs during these critical periods to ensure the successful administration of elections.

Workforce Planning & Recruitment

• Support recruitment and outreach initiatives to identify prospective election workers, volunteers, and student poll workers.
• Assist the Senior Election Workforce Specialist to ensure all polling places are adequately staffed each election cycle.
• Maintain accurate and up-to‑date records of election personnel, volunteers, and staffing schedules.
• Assist with maintaining comprehensive Election Worker appointment lists for submission to the Board of Elections for review and approval.
• Use the Commonwealth’s Voter Registration System to verify voter registration status for all volunteers and election workers.
• Serve as a professional and responsive point of contact for inbound phone calls, emails, and online inquiries from prospective and current election personnel.
• Assist the Senior Election Workforce Specialist with the Student Poll Worker program.

Training & Curriculum Development

• Assist both classroom and hands‑on training sessions to ensure personnel understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Possess a clear understanding of the roles of Election Day personnel, including Judges of Election, Majority and Minority Inspectors, Clerks, Machine Operators, Student Poll Workers, Elected and Appointed Constables, and Poll Watchers.
• Assist with training and operational support for specialized programs, including the Roamer Program.

Election Workforce Administration

• Serve as a resource for Election Day personnel, providing guidance on procedures, responsibilities, and legal requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of staffing assignments, certifications, training attendance, and contact information.
• Process paysheets to ensure timely and accurate compensation for all Election Day personnel.
• Support operational logistics related to election worker deployment, training sessions, and Election Day staffing.
• Ensure all workforce processes comply with state and local election laws, regulations, and administrative procedures.
• Assist other teams within Voter Services as needed, particularly during peak election periods.
• Work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during election cycles.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency, operational consistency, and overall election workforce performance.
• Participate in post-election debriefs to capture lessons learned and incorporate improvements into future planning.
• Support special projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening the election workforce program and voter services operations.
• Coordinate and communicate with internal teams, external partners, and community organizations to enhance recruitment and training efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, political science, education, communications, or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience developing and delivering training programs, curricula, or instructional materials.
• Experience working in elections, government administration, staffing coordination, or related operations.
• Strong understanding of election worker roles and applicable election laws, or the demonstrated ability to learn them quickly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with election personnel and the public.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large volumes of data and records with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with standard office software and the ability to learn specialized systems such as statewide voter registration systems.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as required during election periods.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Prior experience in election administration, voter services, or Election Day operations at the county or state level.
• Experience with the Commonwealth’s Voter Registration System or similar election management platforms.
• Experience coordinating large‑scale training programs or events.
• Knowledge of instructional design principles or adult learning best practices.
• Experience with process improvement, project coordination, or program management.
• Bilingual proficiency or experience working with diverse or multilingual communities.
• Prior supervisory or lead experience supporting staff or volunteers.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills:

• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
• Intermediate Word skills
• Intermediate Excel skills
• Intermediate Access skills
• Intermediate PowerPoint skills
• Intermediate Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Intermediate Internet skills (for research purposes)
• PeopleSoft Financial and/or HR skills or the ability to learn PeopleSoft

Physical Demands:

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment utilizing computers, phones, and other office equipment.
• Requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift or carry materials up to approximately 25 pounds for training sessions or Election Day setup.
• Regular travel to training sites, polling locations, and county facilities is required.
• May involve extended periods of standing while conducting training or supporting election operations.
• Requires the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment with frequent interruptions.
• Must be willing and able to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during peak election periods, including early mornings or late nights.
• Occasional outdoor activity may be required when delivering materials or supporting polling place operations.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Other:

• Confidentiality is crucial to this position.
• This is a highly visible position requiring strong professionalism.
• Must be able to remain courteous and maintain composure under stressful situations.
• Ability to deal with all types of personalities.
• May need to deal with cash and checks.
• Ability to work extended hours, as required.
• This position requires confidentiality.