What are the responsibilities and job description for the Registrar of Voters position at The County of Santa Clara?
Description
Under the direction of the County Executive, plans, organizes, and directs the staff and activities of the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters Department. The Registrar of Voters is an executive leadership position responsible for the management and operation of the Department to coordinate and conduct all elections and related activities, and serves as the County elections official pursuant to applicable law.
Filing Period and Application Procedure
Final Filling Date: Continuous until filled. The initial review date will be on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after the issue date. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.
This recruitment requires the submission of an online application. No paper applications will be accepted. Applicants must apply online at www.sccjobs.org.
It is important that the following information be included in your application packet as it will be evaluated during the competitive review process:
1. Résumé;
2. Reference contacts;
3. Cover letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate including specific examples from your experience (maximum of 3 pages);
4. Complete responses to the supplemental questions.
Thorough referencing and a background investigation will be conducted once mutual interest has been established. The finalist will be asked to provide five references, and prior authorization from the finalist will be obtained by Executive Services.
Questions regarding this executive recruitment may be directed to Kendra Conrad, Executive Services at (408) 299-6874 or kendra.conrad@esa.sccgov.org.
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Typical Tasks
- Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the operations and activities of the Registrar of Voters Department, including all activities related to conducting federal, state, and local elections;
- Establishes and maintains goals, objectives, and plans for carrying out the functions of the Department, consistent with the overall goals of the County;
- Oversees the implementation of federal, state, and local legislation related to elections and election administration;
- Establishes policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems to meet legal requirements, County policies, and department goals related to the delivery of required service levels;
- Serves as the County liaison with the Secretary of State and coordinates procedures with the Secretary of State’s Office;
- Prepares records and reports, and submits necessary information concerning voters and election results to the Secretary of State;
- Coordinates the handling of special elections with school and other special district personnel, and local elections upon request of the jurisdiction;
- Acts as filing officer for campaign disclosure reports and other required forms under the provisions of the Political Reform Act;
- Develops, recommends, and monitors the Department’s budget;
- Represents the Department before the Board of Supervisors, boards, commissions, government officials, the general public, and the media;
- Responds to questions from the public and other agencies concerning initiative, referendum, recall, recounts, and other election procedures;
- Reviews and evaluates, in conjunction with the Office of the County Counsel and department colleagues, interpretation of court rulings, legal mandates, or policy changes that impact Department operations and activities;
- Analyzes proposed legislation and regulations affecting County election procedures and makes recommendations on support/oppose positions;
- Selects personnel and evaluates their performance in meeting program and individual goals and objectives;
- May assume Disaster Service Worker duties, as assigned; and
- Performs other related duties, as required.
Employment Standards
Considerable education, training, and administrative experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks and the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities.
Training and Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities required to perform this function would typically be acquired through education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Public Administration, or a related field, and five (5) years of recent administrative or managerial experience in a position that requires the strict application of laws to business processes, at least two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity. Experience in administering voter registration or election activity at the local or statewide level is highly desirable.
Special Requirements:
- Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of management and organizational theory necessary to plan, organize, direct, manage, and evaluate programs, administrative policies, organizational structures, and staff;
- Principles of governmental organization, administration, and public financing and budgeting;
- Principles and practices of personnel management and supervision, performance evaluation, training, and labor relations;
- Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management;
- Regulations and laws common to the operation of voter registration and elections in California;
- The legislative process and the functions and operations of federal, state, and local government;
- Principles and techniques of management analysis and organizational design necessary to formulate, implement, and evaluate administrative policies and procedures;
- Information technology and its uses to enhance business performance and efficiency;
- Techniques of effective public and media relations; and
- Federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to elections and election administration.
Ability to:
- Effectively plan, organize, and direct large, complex logistical operations involving a large number of personnel across multiple locations;
- Manage all phases of the voter registration and elections process, including but not limited to preparing election calendars and official publications, preparing and ordering official ballots, sample ballot pamphlets, and other elections supplies, selecting polling places, issuing and processing of absentee voter ballots, and managing election day procedures;
- Work under extreme pressure during heavy peak workloads while meeting statutory deadlines;
- Interpret, explain, and enforce the provisions of applicable laws and regulations;
- Analyze new or proposed legislation, evaluate the impact on operations, and implement necessary procedural changes;
- Effectively represent the Department and establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, government officials, the County Executive, other County agency/department heads, schools, governmental agencies, the general public, community groups, and the media;
- Manage and lead people, team build, and organize, supervise, and motivate staff;
- Identify, implement, and utilize appropriate information technology business solutions;
- Identify, investigate, and analyze problems and formulate and implement constructive solutions;
- Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and regulatory guidelines;
- Demonstrate executive-level leadership and analytical and problem-solving skills; and
- Effectively communicate in both oral and written form.
