Elections Program Manager

County of Monterey; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Monterey’s Elections Program Manager leads one or more countywide election programs, overseeing planning, staff, and compliance. The role demands delivering accurate election services, managing complex policies, and coordinating with partners and the public.

The position requires flexibility for peak election periods, and the incumbent serves as a hands-on contributor with strong written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications

• Six years of program management and supervisory experience; education may substitute up to four years.
• Ability to formulate policies, plans and procedures for a registrar of voters office.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; experience with government programs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct multiple programs within the Registrar of Voters Office.
• Recruit and develop temporary staff; manage workloads and performance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable election laws, regulations and requirements.
• Prepare and maintain internal and public-facing documents and reports.
• Coordinate with agencies and community groups as a liaison.

Skills

Program management

Supervision

Policy development

Analytical thinking

Customer service

Tools

Elections management systems

Job description

Final Filing Deadline: September 6, 2026

Exam #:26/14M80/08CH

The County of Monterey is a diverse community set in a picturesque coastal location and offers tourists and residents alike the comfort of a moderate, Mediterranean climate, miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and scenic valleys. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the spectacular Big Sur Coast, Laguna Seca Raceway, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals and Pebble Beach – possibly the world’s most famous golf course, it’s easy to see why over 450,000 residents choose to live here and an estimated four million visitors a year make the County of Monterey their destination of choice.

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read theHiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

Position Summary

The Monterey County Elections Department is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our team as an Elections Program Manager. Under general direction, the incumbent plans, organizes, directs and oversees the activities and staff associated with one or more countywide program areas within the Registrar of Voters Office. The incumbent performs complex analytical duties, leads critical projects, and serves as a hands-on, sole contributor responsible for carrying out essential program functions.

This role is instrumental in ensuring the effective administration of Monterey County’s election programs. The Elections Program Manager must be able to work a flexible schedule, including extended hours and weekends during peak election periods, to support the accurate and timely delivery of election services.

An eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

• Plans, organizes, and directs one or more programs of the Registrar of Voters office, including Candidate and Campaign Services, Voter Registration, Precinct Services, and Vote by Mail.
• Establishes program objectives aligned with departmental goals; develops strategies to achieve objectives and sets operational priorities.
• Under direction, formulates and implements policies, plans, and procedures; identifies required personnel and resource needs and allocates them appropriately to meet program mandates and objectives.
• Recruits, selects and hires temporary program staff; provides orientation, training and ongoing development, and directs and evaluates their work; recommends and implements disciplinary, counseling and/or separation activities.
• Implements, controls, monitors, and evaluates the assigned programs of the Registrar of Voters Office to ensure that they comply with the provisions of all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements governing the administration of elections and the provision of related services.
• Serves as liaison and represents the Registrar of Voters with public and private agencies and concerned community groups and organizations.
• Reads, understands, interprets and applies legal updates and changes to legal mandates, laws, codes and requirements.
• Conducts research and analysis involving complex policies, systems, and procedures to ensure compliance with legal obligations and supports the administrative objectives of the Registrar of Voters Office.
• Prepares, updates, and maintains internal and public-facing documents—including procedures, reports, emails, and presentations—using clear and correct written communication principles.
• Documents election activities and program-specific details for mandated retention periods and historical records.
• Performs other duties as required including but not limited to operating technology-based systems and equipment including marking devices, databases, and mail processing system.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Elections Program Manager

The Successful Candidate

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Principles of organization, administration, fiscal, time management and program management, particularly as it applies to government agencies.
• Techniques of organizing and motivating groups and individuals.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, training, development, evaluation, and discipline.
• Methods of administrative and analytical problem solving.
• Administrative survey techniques; analytical principles and techniques.
• Effective customer service practices.

Working Knowledge of:

• Electronic data processing equipment and other technology used in election management systems and election activities, such as databases and electronic voting systems.

Skill and Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and evaluate the functions and activities of assigned programs of the Registrar of Voters Office, work under the pressure of constant deadlines, with multiple priorities.
• Communicate ideas and information effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Plan and assign workloads clearly and effectively.
• Adhere to legal and/or mandated deadlines and timetables.
• Manage difficult and/or demanding customers.
• Demonstrate initiative and innovation in recognizing and resolving problems; develop and recommend effective courses of action.
• Establish and maintain the program's objectives, priorities, and policies.
• Understand, analyze, and interpret the United States Constitution, the Constitution of the State of California, California Elections, Government, Education, and other related Codes, regulations, and requirements governing the administration of elections and the provision of related services.

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

• Combination of education, training or experience equivalent to six (6) years of program management and supervisory experience which demonstrates the ability to plan, assign, train and evaluate the work of others, two years of which should be direct supervisory experience in an elections department or related field. Education at an accredited college or university may be substituted for experience for a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years; OR
• Two (2) years of experience in a position equivalent to Monterey County’s Election Services Specialist II classification.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the X Unit Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination.

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Cicely Henson, Human Resources Analyst, at [phone], or [e-mail].