Elections Specialist

Compensation: $18.00 - $21.42 hourly DOE

Application Period Ends: Open Until Filled

General Statement of Duties

Maintains voter registration files, performs data entry into the statewide voter registration system, assists candidates with filing, receives and checks candidate filings and petitions, performs a wide variety of pre-election, election, and post-election duties for Canyon County residents; performs work within the Clerk’s organization as needed.

Classification Summary

The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide effective customer service, provide general clerical support and records maintenance, and answer phones. An Elections Specialist must possess strong clerical and customer service skills; he/she has acquired knowledge of Department functions through on-the-job experience and is a department-related specialist with a good working knowledge of Department policies and procedures and Idaho Title 34 - Elections. The work is performed under the supervision of the Elections Operations Supervisor, although some latitude is granted for independent judgment using standard practices to resolve customer issues or correct procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

Examples of Work (Illustrative Only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Answers incoming phone calls and greets walk-in customers, provides general information to the public, answers questions and inquiries, provides specific information about elections, and provides referrals to other departments or staff as needed;
• Registers voters;
• Inputs data into central computer system for voter registration, and processes documents or information in prescribed manner;
• Assists candidates with filing dates, petitions, and filing related reports;
• Uses Voter Lookup to provide electors with precinct, voting districts and zones, and legislative district information;
• Must be skilled in reading maps in order to determine voting precincts, legislative districts, special districts and zones;
• Relates and interprets applicable laws, codes, directives, and policies;
• Modifies voter registration database for address changes, precinct changes, and name changes;
• Updates voter files following an election;
• Prepares, distributes and maintains a variety of documents, correspondence, log sheets, applications, and related documents;
• Processes absentee ballot requests and issues (mails) ballots during election period;
• Assists with Early Voting in the Election Office;
• Assists with election activities including poll book assembly, loading supply boxes for precincts, loading unvoted ballots into ballot boxes, preparing and fulfilling load lists, and performs other election tasks as needed and assigned;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures and safety practices.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs other related duties as required;
• Performs duties in County Clerk’s areas as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Operation of a personal computer and job-related software applications;
• Customer service procedures, techniques, and objectives;
• Idaho Code relating to elections;
• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
• Current office practices and procedures;
• Cash handling, record keeping, and basic bookkeeping practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Work cooperatively and constructively with fellow workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality and quantity;
• Follow written and oral instructions;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Evaluate and analyze customer needs to provide exceptional customer service;
• Learn Department functions thoroughly to provide general information and explain detailed department processes and procedures;
• Explain regulatory compliance issues related to the assigned departments function;
• Maintain records efficiently and accurately and to prepare clear and concise reports;
• Perform cash handling and balancing functions;
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Work well under pressure;
• Work overtime as needed, including holidays and weekends;
• Perform duties accurately and efficiently under time sensitive deadlines;
• Operate standard office equipment, standard hand tools and a personal computer including program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, supervisory personnel, elected and appointed officials, and the public;
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• High school diploma or GED equivalency is required, preferably supplemented with coursework in accounting, math or other business applications; and
• Two (2) years general clerical experience is required, preferably in an elections office position; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, prepare and review documents and process them in a prescribed order, and organize documents and materials;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer, standard hand tools, and standard office equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, agility, and balance, ability to lift 30 pounds frequently during elections and stand for long periods of time during elections, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment.

EOE Statement

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selections are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.