Are you looking for a rewarding career in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area where you can make a meaningful difference in others' lives and enjoy a positive work-life balance?

Our diverse Anoka County team brings next-level talents, personalities and experiences together in ways that make us both effective and efficient. Our team of nearly 2,000 employees is united by a common mission to preserve the public's trust. We do this by bringing our very best to work every day and serving Anoka County's 345,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative and fiscally responsible manner.

If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Apply today to join our team.
 
Elections Specialist
Transparent and accurate elections that allow for the genuine expression of the will of the voters are the bedrock of our democracy. The Anoka County Office of Elections and Voter Registration works closely with local jurisdictions to administer elections with integrity, ensuring all eligible voters can register to vote and cast their ballot through an efficient and credible process.

The Elections Specialist who joins the Anoka County Elections team will play a critical role supporting the planning, preparation and execution of core election functions, including voter registration, absentee voting and election day activities. The ideal candidate will be familiar with and comfortable using technology. This team player will demonstrate flexibility and an ability to adjust priorities on short notice. The Elections Specialist will have a strong sense of quality customer service and must engage voters, candidates and other stakeholders in a nonpartisan and respectful manner.
 
This full-time, benefit-eligible position is located at the Anoka County Government Center.
*This recruitment may also be used to establish a roster for future temporary part-time vacancies.*

Duties and Responsibilities
These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Elections Specialist.

Voting Equipment

• Assist with the planning, organization and administration of all voting equipment system components, software, firmware and associated devices used in Anoka County.
• Prepare electronic poll books for election day use, ensuring settings are updated and units are assigned to the correct locations.
• Troubleshoot voting system and poll book problems in the county and provide support to cities.

• Evaluate and verify voter registration applications; monitor voter registration application entry.
• Inspect returned non-forwardable mailings from cities, school districts and postal verification cards.
• Research voter registrations for possible voting violations.
• Provide support for local municipalities using the Statewide Voter Registration System; resolve access issues and train local staff on the information within the system and its use.

• Review and execute absentee ballot applications for domestic and military/overseas voters.
• Support temporary staff with data entry and absentee ballot mailings; prepare and send mailings to permanent absentee applicants.
• Order, organize and maintain inventory of absentee materials for in-person voting at county and city locations.

• Correspond with voters and municipal or school district clerks, regarding election procedures, laws and notifications, and election related issues or concerns by phone, in person and in writing.
• Problem solve election related issues or concerns and respond in a timely manner.
• Review and determine appropriate action with incoming mail and other correspondence.

• Assist Elections Manager with budget preparation, payroll, employment forms, accounts payable/receivable, coordinating meetings, presentations and calendars.
• Review and edit a wide variety of documents, including ballots and other election forms.
• Work with Elections Coordinator and temporary election staff to plan and organize logistics for supplying polling places.
• Ensure the delivery and return of election materials for each polling place in Anoka County.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to periodically lift up to 40 pounds, with or without accommodation.
• Must successfully pass criminal history and driver's license background checks.

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Degree in one of the following academic disciplines: Accounting, Planning, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology or related field.
• Two years of experience working in state, county or local government.
• Previous election administration experience.

• American political system and constitutional principles.
• Basic descriptive statistical methods.
• State and federal laws, county and municipal ordinances and court decisions relating to election administration.
• Intergovernmental relations in Minnesota.

• Utilizing Microsoft Office & Apple products.
• Using specialized voting equipment software, records management and imaging software, Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), Election Reporting System (ERS) and other election-related technologies.
• Accurately compiling, verifying data and proofreading written materials.
• Using computer applications of moderate complexity.
• Conducting research of moderate complexity.

• Plan and organize complex projects, logically construct alternate courses of action and determine the most appropriate solution.
• Set priorities to ensure project deadlines are met.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other election staff, department management, local election officials, elected officials and the public.
• Communicate effectively by telephone, in writing and in person.
• Understand and apply complex laws and legal principles.
• Perform moderately strenuous physical duties for sustained periods of time.
• Travel to local jurisdictions as needed.

Salary
Anoka County Salary Schedule, Grade B010.
Normal hiring range: $39,728 to $40,913 ($19.10 to $19.67 per hour).
2019 full salary range: $39,728 to $60,174 ($19.10 to $28.93 per hour). Career potential up to $66,081 ($31.77 per hour).
Upon successful completion of an initial hire probationary period, employees may be eligible for a pay rate increase.
 
Hours
Full-time; 40 hours per pay week.
Work schedule is primarily Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Some evenings and weekends are required in conjunction with, and on, election days. Vacation time may be limited, due to election needs, from July to December.
Schedule may vary based on business needs and at supervisor discretion.
*This recruitment may also be used to establish a roster for future temporary part-time vacancies.*

Selection Process
The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a review of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The most qualified candidates will be invited for an oral exam or interview.

Additional Information
Include responses to all supplemental questions with your application no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date of the position. Resume and cover letter submissions are accepted but are not required. The resume cannot be used in lieu of the application.
 
If you have a disability that would prevent you from testing for a position under standard conditions or if you wish to submit Veterans' Preference information, please notify Laurie Nelson, Anoka County Employee Relations Department at 763-324-4303 so that every reasonable effort can be made to accommodate you.