Election Technology Specialist

The Knox County Board of Elections is seeking an Election Technology Specialist. This is a full-time opportunity with normal working hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional evenings and weekend hours will be required during the election cycle.

The position offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, ranging from $45,000 to $60,000 per year. Knox County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

This position is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process in Knox County. Technology plays a critical role in modernizing and enhancing election administration processes. This position will be instrumental in overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of technological solutions that support the Board’s mission of conducting fair and transparent elections. This position reports to the Director and Deputy Director.

Essential Functions

• Assists in maintaining and administrating the Voter Registration System including testing, applying new updates, and communicating with the vendor concerning any issues and reporting those concerns/issues to the Director/Deputy Director.
• Maintains a relationship with the Secretary of State Cybersecurity Liaison is the main point of contact for security, and monitors security systems within the BOE.
• In partnership with County IT, maintains all BOE hardware, software and security and is responsible for the updates, training, or replacement as needed.
• Schedules and performs the Logic and Accuracy testing of BOE voting and tabulation systems.
• Oversees the Early Voting Center and related equipment.
• Assists the Deputy Director in the preparation/completion of all Annexations, County map modifications, and precinct reorganization.
• Oversees the maintenance and programming of electronic pollbook system.
• Prepares Election Signature Books.
• Cross trains in Election Tabulation Software and demonstrates the ability to successfully create an accurate Election Database and Audio Ballot.
• Demonstrates the ability to accurately maintain and update the Board of Elections website, including, but not limited to, updating precinct change information, polling location change information, presentation of all statutorily mandated website information.
• Oversees corrections in the street and road guide and polling location guide modules in Voter Registration System.
• Maintains Local Option history with regard to Knox County/Maps.
• Must maintain confidentiality and business integrity.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, by the Director/Deputy Director, the Board of Elections, and/or as prescribed by law.
• Performs related non-essential functions as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or related field preferred; or, 3 to 5 years’ experience in database management, and software management; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certification in CompTIA or other related certifications preferred.

Must be able to work hours within an elections schedule mandated by the State of Ohio.

Must have a valid Ohio Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record. Must meet and maintain qualifications for driving on county business as a continued condition of employment.

All required licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS

Party Affiliation: Due to a desire to maintain a bipartisan balance among the staff, the board of elections may consider candidates’ party registrations when making an employment offer.

Equipment: Ability to operate a variety of office equipment such as computers, copiers, telephones, FAX machines, iPads/tablets, and other equipment as necessary to perform duties. Ability to operate power tools and mechanical hand tools for various hardware technology maintenance and installations.

Availability: Must be able to work hours within an elections schedule mandated by the State of Ohio. Vacations and time off is expected to be planned outside “Blackout times” set by the Director/Deputy Director. This is including but not limited to six weeks prior to an election and four weeks following. Must be able to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner.

Critical Skills/Expertise:

• Strong technical expertise in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, database management, and software management systems.
• Knowledge of election systems, voter registration databases, and election administration software (e.g., VR Systems, election management systems) is desirable.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Collaborate with senior leadership of the Board of Elections and with the Knox County IT Department to develop and implement a strategic technology/security plan aligned with the Board’s goals and objectives.
• Evaluate emerging election technologies and assess their potential impact on election administration processes. Determine and propose to the Deputy Director and Director when these systems should be incorporated into the Board’s operations.
• Partner with County IT to oversee the design, implementation, security, and maintenance of the BOE's information technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, networking, and security systems as well as the voting systems and equipment.
• Ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of systems to support the smooth operation of election processes.
• Manage the implementation and maintenance of election management systems, voter registration databases, electronic poll books, and other election-related software applications.
• Coordinate with the Secretary of State, vendors, and external partners to ensure the effective integration of election systems and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Develop training programs and materials to educate staff and stakeholders on the use of election technology systems.
• Stay informed of federal, state, and local regulations governing election technology and data management.
• Ensure compliance with relevant federal and Ohio laws and regulations and industry standards and best practices, such as the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) guidelines, The Data Act and applicable Ohio election laws and rules.
• Manage relationships with vendors, contractors, and service providers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products and services within budget constraints.
• Responsible for understanding, meeting, and reporting all Secretary of State security requirements, coordination of research and testing, and reaching and reporting desired outcomes.
• Ability to adapt to stressful and emergency situations and events and always conducts self in a professional, calm, and thoughtful manner.
• Active directory domain administration, with a focus on security, redundancy, disaster recovery and best practices.
• Maintains and documents the inventory of equipment, software, hardware, and related life cycles.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK

Work consists of complex, varied, standardized and non-standardized tasks requiring application of numerous laws, rules, regulations, and procedures. Individuals are required to provide technical assistance to staff personnel on programs, policies, and the interrelationship of programs under extremely complex and difficult situations. The position requires the individual to be continually aware of changes occurring which must be learned and passed on to staff. Procedures must be developed for implementing changes at the local level. Tasks and responsibilities generally require advanced knowledge of systems to provide a solution to problems as they arise.

III. RESPONSIBILITY

The individual carries out routine or recurring assignments or tasks. Errors usually result in a loss of time in other organizational units, causing substantial inconvenience to the public or embarrassment to the employing organization. Keep up with current Directives and laws outlined by the Ohio Secretary of State.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS
Contact with co-workers, employees from public and private sector organizations and the public. The purpose of these contacts is to ask questions, request information and clarify policies and procedures.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of the position are identified as sedentary and physical, which may require the lifting of up to thirty (30) pounds and pushing/pulling up to one hundred (100) pounds. Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards

Physical Activity: The individual performs mostly sedentary work which may require the lifting of up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Must have a high ability of manual dexterity, talking, hearing, reaching, bending, kneeling, and walking.

Visual Activity: Performs work where the seeing job is close to the eyes and requires viewing a computer terminal and proofreading information.

Job Location: The minimum work conditions for the position indicate that the individual could be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, including inclement weather.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $60,000