Elections Assistant (Clerk) - Seasonal/Temporary

Douglas-County,-Mn; Alexandria (MN); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas County Elections is hiring an Elections Assistant (Clerk) for the 2026 season to support the Auditor/Treasurer office during the September–November election window.

The role involves ballot processing, voter registration, absentee voting, data entry, and tax payments in a fast-paced public environment. Flexibility with hours and extended hours during peak election days are required.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience: None.
• License: Valid Class D Minnesota Driver's License at all times.
• Ability to perform under stress with tight deadlines.
• Dependability and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Assist in ballot board duties as prescribed by Minnesota Election Laws.
• Process and mail absentee ballot applications and ballots.
• Assist public with in-house absentee and Early Voting processes and mail ballots.
• Perform data entry and accounts receivable duties including tax payments.
• Answer phones and provide prompt, accurate customer service.
• Proofread election-related documents for content and accuracy.
• Complete tasks related to voter registration, absentee voting, and mail balloting.
• Safeguard sensitive documents and supplies.

Skills

Under pressure

Dependability

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Professionalism

Adaptability

Extended hours

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

I Series tax software

SVRS election software

10-key calculator

Ballot tabulator / Omni Ballot device

Job description

JOB TITLE

Elections Assistant (Clerk)-Seasonal/Temporary

DEPARTMENT

Auditor/Treasurer

STATUS

Seasonal/Temporary

HOURS

Days of work hours and shift lengths will vary. Flexible scheduling.

MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT

September-November 15th, 2026.

The work schedule is somewhat flexible, with work assignments generally occurring September-November, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shifts and shift lengths may vary from day to day depending on voter volume and department workload. Some weeks may consist of only 1-3 days, and other weeks closer to election day may involve working more frequently. Applicants must be available for partial or full-day work assignments with adaptable hours occurring during the timeframe of September 21, 2026 – November 13, 2026.

In addition to the Monday-Friday work schedule, the candidate must be available for extended hours on October 24, 27, 31, 2026; and November 1-3, 2026, with the understanding that Election Nights may include working until 11:00 p.m. or later. The General election date is November 3, 2026.

JOB OBJECTIVES

The role of this Seasonal/Temporary position is to assist in performing assigned duties related to property tax collection, accounts receivable processing, the election, absentee, and Early voting process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of those specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Perform duties of the ballot board as prescribed in the Minnesota Election Laws.
• Preparing, processing, and mailing absentee ballot applications and ballots.
• Assisting the public with the in-house absentee and Early Voting process and mail ballot process located at the Auditor/Treasurer's Office, 821 Cedar Street.
• Performing data entry.
• Process accounts receivable, including tax payments.
• Answering phones and providing prompt, accurate, excellent customer service.
• Proofreading various election-related documents for content and accuracy.
• Completing tasks associated with voter registration, absentee voting, and mail balloting.
• Safeguarding sensitive documents and supplies.
• Conducting business in accordance with the federal election guidelines, Minnesota Election Laws, and according to NVRA and HAVA procedures.
• Perform all other duties assigned, delegated, or required of the elections team, including those prescribed by law.
• Complies with all rules and policies to maintain a safe work environment.
• Reliable, predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Other duties, as assigned or apparent.

ACCESS TO NOT PUBLIC DATA

In this job, you may come across private or confidential information about people we serve. This data is protected by law and should only be viewed or used when it’s truly needed for your work. You are expected to only look at private data when your job duties require it. Keep it secure and make sure others who don’t need to see it don’t have access. Stop accessing the data once your task is done, and store or dispose of it properly, following the rules in Minnesota’s Data Practices Act (Chapter 13). If your job duties change and you need access to different private data, that access should also be limited to only what you need to do your job.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT HIRE

Education: High School Diploma or GED.

Experience: None.

Licenses and Other Requirements: Possess a valid Class D Minnesota Driver's License at all times.

REQUIRED MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES AT HIRE

• Ability to perform professionally under stress when confronted with tight deadlines.
• Dependability.
• Business acumen, ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrates a professional attitude and appearance.
• Adaptability and flexibility about duties and assignments as required.
• Ability to work extended hours if needed.
• Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: See required minimum qualifications at hire.

Experience: Prior experience as a Minnesota Election Judge and prior experience in a public contact or customer service environment.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES

See required minimum knowledge, skills, abilities, & qualities at hire.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Public building.

MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a temporary-seasonal position September-November 15th, 2026.

HOURS

The work schedule is somewhat flexible, with work assignments generally occurring September-November, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The scheduled work days and hours may vary, depending on voter volume and department workload.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Be able to stand for extended periods, bend, reach, stoop, crouch, twist, and kneel. Assignments may require the ability to push, pull, and load heavy election equipment.

See also the Physical and Environmental Factors Form.

EXAMPLES OF EQUIPMENT USED

I Series-based tax collection software on PC, SVRS election software on PC, 10-key calculator, DS200 ballot tabulator, Omni Ballot assistive voting device.

OTHER

All listed above are essential functions of the job.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Supervised by Assistant Elections/Property Tax Technician

Supervision Exercised: None

Labor Group: Non-Union

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Grade: 5, Step 1

EEO Job Category:

Work Comp Code:

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Revised: 8/2026.