PRINCIPAL DEPUTY CLERK

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Principal Deputy Clerk of Campaign Finance will work under the direction of the Executive Director and the Director of Campaign Finance and will assist with carrying out the agency’s campaign finance and elections responsibilities.

The Principal Deputy Clerk of Campaign Finance shall enforce compliance with the campaign finance laws of the state as well as rules and regulations established by the Board of Elections. The incumbent will conduct confidential reviews, audits and investigations of campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees and prepare reports of findings for presentation to the Board. The incumbent will assist in the management of the Board’s campaign finance Electronic Reporting and Tracking System (ERTS).

Illustrative Examples of Work Performed

The duties and responsibilities of the Principal Deputy Clerk of Campaign Finance shall include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

• Assist in the direction, supervision and review of work done by division staff;
• Conduct confidential examinations, reviews and audits of campaign accounts of candidates, political party committees and political action committees;
• Assist candidates, political action committees and political party committees with reconciliation of campaign account balances;
• Pursue delinquent and unfiled campaign finance reports;
• Process campaign finance reports filed by candidates, political action committees, political party committees, independent advocates and ballot question advocates;
• Follow-up on incomplete or deficient campaign finance reports and penalties assessed by the Board;
• Assist in the collection of penalties assessed by the Board;
• Conduct confidential investigations regarding allegations of campaign finance violations;
• Assist in the management of the Board’s campaign finance Electronic Reporting and Tracking System (ERTS);
• Oversee compliance with the filing of Account Certifications by treasurers of candidates, political action committees and political party committees;
• Prepare and publish handbooks, forms, manuals and other types of informational materials;
• Help develop, prepare and conduct educational and training classes on campaign finance and the use of ERTS;
• Assist and inform candidates, political action committees, political party committees, independent advocates, ballot question advocates and state vendors of their statutory obligations under campaign finance laws;
• Track and report on the progress of proposed Campaign Finance and Elections legislation;
• Assist in the preparation and presentation of matters brought before the Board;
• Respond to requests or inquiries from candidates, officeholders, political action committees, political party committees, independent advocates, ballot question advocates; federal, state and municipal officials and agencies; public and private organizations; and the general public;
• Assist in the research and preparation of proposed legislation, advisory opinions and rules and regulations;
• Update and maintain agency manuals, including operations and procedures; annual campaign finance manual, Electronic Reporting and Tracking System (ERTS) manual;
• Assist in the development of a new or upgraded Electronic Reporting and Tracking System (ERTS);
• Assist with election and administration-related agency responsibilities, as may be required;
• Work on assignments as may be directed by the Director of Campaign Finance;
• Assist in the processing of mail ballots, signature verification, and tabulations;
• Assist with the conduct of election recounts and post election audits;

• Work on assignments as may be directed by the Executive Director or the Director of Campaign Finance.

The aforementioned activities outline the duties and responsibilities of the referenced position. It is not a complete list of the duties and responsibilities associated with the position but, rather, a general guide for the position. In addition, the Principal Deputy Clerk of Campaign Finance shall at any time and from time to time perform such duties as may be assigned by the Board of Elections in addition to, or in lieu of, his or her regular duties.

Required Qualifications for Appointment

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & CAPACITIES:

Demonstrated leadership, organizational and operational skills, preferably with experience in campaign finance; knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting and auditing procedures; the ability to analyze and interpret financial records and reporting and the proven ability to apply such knowledge to the principles, practices and methods of accounting and auditing. The individual must possess excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to speak in public; strong interpersonal skills; ability to work independently or with others. The individual must have the ability to accept, comprehend and respond to inquiries in a timely and professional manner. The individual must be dependable, meticulous and comprehensive in the performance of his or her duties; possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION: Such as has been gained through the possession of a bachelor’s degree from a college of recognized standing with a concentration in accounting or equivalent preferred; and

EXPERIENCE: Such as may have been gained through comparable operational and organizational experience, preferably with three or more years of experience in campaign finance, and a minimum of three years employment in a responsible position performing, amongst other duties, accounting, or auditing work. Or, any combination of education and campaign finance experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: Experience working with information processing systems, including personal computers. Evidence of strong writing skills is essential.