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State of Washington Office of the Secretary of...

Integrity Program Lead

State of Washington Office of the Secretary of..., Olympia, Washington, United States, 98502


Description

The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.

The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration, and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

The Elections Division plays a critical role in ensuring Washington's democratic process is fair, accurate, accessible, and secure. Serve the voters of Washington and join our talented and purpose-driven team.

Integrity Program Lead

Program Specialist 4

Full Time, Permanent

The Certification and Training Program is a “program of programs” advanced by a team providing comprehensive support to the Elections Division in the areas of Election Reviews, Voting & Tabulation Systems, Publications Development, Voting Integrity & Security, Certification of Administrators, and Elections Training; to ensure Washington State elections are transparent, accurate, conducted fairly, and accessible to all eligible voters. Members of the Certification and Training Program Team/Group (C&T) oversee, direct, and advise County Auditors in interpretations of federal and state election law and the correct administration of voter registration and elections throughout the state. Members review county practices for adherence to election law and best practices, provide essential tools for election administrators through official communications and training, and act as liaisons for the Office of the Secretary of State. As directed, members of C&T are assigned a primary program, and then support the other programs within the team as required.

Elections Integrity Lead.

The Elections Integrity Lead reports directly to the Certification and Training (C&T) Program Manager; and is responsible for overseeing, reviewing and advising county auditors on elections laws and the administration of voter registration. Specifically, the Elections Integrity Lead is responsible for the management of Elections Integrity Program and is the primary point of contact for all elections integrity questions as they pertain to the physical security of ballots, document controls, and the digital transfer of elections data. The Integrity Lead will work to develop and maintain uniform elections integrity standards across the 39 Counties of Washington State in accordance with emerging threats and changes to elections law. Key areas of program responsibility are the management of the County USB Program, and the supervision of physical security requirements nested within the County Elections Review Program. To ensure this seamless integration of Integrity standards management, the Elections Integrity Lead will assist the County Elections Review Lead in the development of Integrity related checklists and inspection criteria for County Reviews, and with team/county training prior to the execution of County Election Reviews as required. Additionally, this position works closely with the Voting Systems Lead and will assist in the planning of Logic and Accuracy testing, voting systems certifications, and county reports management associated with the certification of elections. The Integrity Lead will support the entire C&T Program by also being the primary manager of the C&T inbox reviewing reporting and information requests from County Election Partners and the public at large.

Duties

Manages the Certification and Training Election Integrity program; supports the OSOS Voting Systems Certification and Acceptance Testing Program, including logic and accuracy testing.Tasks include:

Establishes and maintains integrity related procedures for the voting system certification program.

Works with Voting Systems Lead to certify tabulation equipment.

Gains and keeps up to date on all tabulation systems approved for use in Washington.

Researches and remains current with vendor products and upgrades of tabulation systems; assists with managing the system certification board.

Assists the Voting Systems Program Lead with the coordination of review system board.

Assists the Voting Systems Program Lead with the scheduling and assigning logic and accuracy test routes to staff.

Conducts logic and accuracy tests at county election offices: reviews test patterns for acceptance within allowable standards; presides over test to ensure accuracy and test uploads for results; creates remediation plan for failures.

Identifies trends in L&A testing as they relate to Integrity standards, recommends solutions to systemic issues, and supports the development and execution of training to advance the standardization of best practices across the state.

Participates in the elections Training program and Publications program.Tasks include:

Plans and develops Integrity related curriculum in support of the Training Program.

Serve as an Instructor for Elections 101 (E101) and other training events assigned for Secretary of State staff, county election administrators, political party observers, and county canvassing board.

Assists the Training Program Lead with logistical arrangements for facilities and accommodations.

Assists in planning the Annual Election Conference – developing agenda, selection of speakers, vendor coordination, and logistical arrangements.

Designs and maintains comprehensive educational materials as assigned.

Assists the voter education and outreach programs.

Maintains current Clearinghouses and drafts new Clearinghouses for inclusion on division website and distribution across the state.

Develops and publishes a variety of advisories and forms for use by elections professionals such as county auditors, county election administrators, the Public Disclosure Commission, candidates, political party representatives, the press, and the public.

Participates in the county election review program; travels extensively throughout the state to conduct reviews of county elections departments.Tasks include:

Visits counties to observe election practices.

Reviews written election materials prepared by the counties.

Reviews written and observed procedures for compliance with state and federal election law.

Reviews written and observed procedures for improvements based on best practices

Makes recommendations to counties that conforms with state and federal election law and best practices.

Prepares publicly available review reports on the findings of the review.

Assists the Elections Review Lead in the development of Integrity related standards, checklists, and inspection criteria and updates in response to emerging threats and changes to elections law.

Assists the Elections Review Lead in identifying trends in Elections Reviews as they relate to Integrity standards, recommends solutions to systemic issues, and supports the development and execution of training to advance the standardization of best practices across the state.

Duty: Miscellaneous Elections Division supportTasks include:

Serve as the primary point of contact responsible for reviewing the C&T inbox, responding to questions from County Elections Partners and the public at large; alert needed staff to emerging issues.

Proofing and review of documents, including certification of candidates and measures, ballot titles, explanatory statements, complete text for measures, statements for or against a measure, training manuals, election review reports.

Advises and supports county auditors and county election administrators.

Researches and accurately responds to county questions.

Ensures the assigned areas of the Elections website are accurate, functioning and up-to-date.

Assists with planning for postal taskforce meetings and attends a quarterly meeting.

Assists in development of WACs and RCWs.

Acts as back-up to other Elections Division programs.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Four years of experience providing support to staff or a program including, but not limited to interpreting policy and instructing others on application of policies, representing a program or office to clients, composing correspondence, scheduling appointments and meetings, working cooperatively with political party representatives, elected officials, election administrators, and the press and public in sensitive situations.

Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

Current Washington State driver’s license or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in interpreting policy and instructing others on application of policies, representing a program or office to clients, composing correspondence, scheduling appointments and meetings, working cooperatively with political party representatives, elected officials, election administrators, and the press and public in sensitive situations.

Certified Election Administrator in Washington State

Experience working in an elections office

Experience preparing and delivering presentations to small and large groups

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or service

PLEASE READ:

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that members of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities, specifically women and people of color, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they clearly meet every single qualification.

At the Office of the Secretary of State, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic work force with a foundation of belonging. If you are excited about this role and have relevant experience and skills, but question whether your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply regardless. You may just be the ideal candidate this office needs.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:Works primarily in an office environment but does require traveling in a vehicle for extended periods of time. Must be willing and able to sit for 4 or more hours a day and must be willing and able to move and maneuver objects weighing up to 25 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation. Extensive travel in and out of state, requiring overnight stays for up to one week at a time. May be required to travel on the weekends and may be required to travel in inclement weather. Standard core business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but must be willing and able to work beyond normally scheduled business hours on short notice. Must have the ability to represent an elected official or politician in a competent, confident, and professional manner while maintaining the highest standards of honesty, integrity, confidentiality, and ethics.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Certification as an Elections Administrator within two years of employment.

This position is in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE)

and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, The Office of the Secretary of State, and the WFSE.

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position you must attach the following:

Letter of interest

describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the duties and qualifications of the position

Current Resume

Three Professional references.

Personal references will not be considered.

You must complete the supplemental questions at the end of this application. Incomplete responses such as "see resume" will not be considered. In addition, if the employer you identify in the additional information section is not included on your resume or work experience profile and/or you do not identify an employer, you will not receive credit.

All veterans must include a copy of your DD214 to receive preference in the hiring process. You must black out your social security number before attaching it to your application.

The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We do not discriminate on the basis of religion, age, gender, marital status, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation, military status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any sensory, mental or physical ability. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing the announcement in alternative format, should call (360) 480-4871.

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