Elections Outreach Specialist

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Supervisory Management

The Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department is led by the elected Clerk-Recorder and has three divisions: Clerk-Recorder, Elections, and Administration. The Department’s office is located in Martinez, the county seat of Contra Costa. Contra Costa County is the ninth largest in California and one of the largest elections jurisdictions in the country, with more than 700,000 registered voters and a population of over 1.1 million. Located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, Contra Costa County offers a great salary and benefits package in addition to a collaborative and fast-paced work environment.

Elections Outreach Specialists report to the Departmental Community & Media Relations Coordinator, and assist with day-to-day coordination of outreach activities, with a focus on addressing community accessibility and providing Election Division services to language minority and under-resourced communities. The Elections Outreach Specialists will plan, organize, and direct the Elections Division's voter education and outreach programs to increase engagement and involvement of under-represented, under-registered, and language minority communities in voting and election processes; perform a variety of difficult, complex, and specialized support work to promote the work of the Elections Division; develop and provide bilingual assistance, training, and information to the public; work with community groups to increase voter registration and perform a variety of bilingual election services support functions.

The department is currently recruiting for two bilingual Elections Outreach Specialists vacancies.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A collaborator. You will need to seek input and feedback from teammates and work with other stakeholders to create high-quality work products.
• A planner and organizer. You will need to create project plans and calendars and ensure that work is completed in a satisfactory and timely manner.
• Committed to continuous improvement. You will contribute to advancing the work of the Elections Division's outreach programs by reviewing processes and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• A problem solver. You will need to identify issues and offer solutions to resolve them promptly.
• Committed to public service. You will be performing services for the communities of Contra Costa County and interacting directly with the public. You will be relied upon to represent the Election Division with integrity and a commitment to public service.
• Adaptable. You will need to balance multiple assignments, competing priorities, and respond to changing situations to ensure projects are completed on time.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in community outreach and partnership. You will need strong interpersonal communication skills in working with diverse communities to engage and inform them.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Planning, organizing and coordinating the Elections Division’s voter education and outreach programs to engage underrepresented, under-registered, under-resourced, and language minority communities in election processes.
• Creating multilingual and culturally relevant voter education and outreach materials.
• Representing the Elections Division at public functions (i.e. community events, fairs, festivals, school events, press conferences), as directed.
• Communicating with Spanish or Chinese-speaking media regarding upcoming events, election deadlines, and other newsworthy items.
• Developing and delivering public presentations concerning voter information and engagement activities; this may be in person, virtual, or via other media.
• Assisting with the translation and proofing of election information and materials.
• Organizing workshops, webinars, and community events to engage citizens and provide information to diverse communities, generating interest in the democratic process by collaborating with community organizations, schools, and local leaders.
• Collecting data to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach programs after each major election to identify and implement improvements.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will contribute to your community through public service.
• You will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative team environment.
• You will help support the important work of election administration which helps our democracy.
• You will be part of a highly respected elections team.
• You will assist with initiatives that further diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout the County.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Misinformation and disinformation about elections can make educating communities about voting and election processes more difficult.
• You will be required to maintain a professional demeanor across all interactions with members of the public and/or media.
• You will be required to work at community events that may occur on evenings or weekends and at various locations throughout the County.

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Driving Results: Demonstrating concern for achieving or surpassing results against an internal standard of excellence
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Bilingual Communication: Speaking, reading, and writing in a second language

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/classspecs/36154
The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.;

Experience: Two years of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience performing; administrative or clerical support functions which involved either: 1) working with the; public or interdepartmental staff conducting public elections; or 2) responsibility for; duties involving public relations, community education, conducting outreach activities or; providing training to groups.

Substitution: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or; university with a major in Communications, Public Relations, Spanish or Mandarin, Public Policy, Political Science, or a closely related field can be substituted for the required experience.

Bilingual and Bi-literate: Required to provide evidence of ability to speak and write in Spanish or Mandarin/Traditional Chinese and English by providing a Spanish or Mandarin/Traditional Chinese Translation/Interpretation Certification and/or a bilingual language test may be required.

Desired Qualifications:

• CalPEAC certification or class completions.
• Familiarity with California election code and other laws relating to conducting and administering elections.
• Experience performing social media account management for a public agency.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.


Online Interview Assessment: Candidates that possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online Interview Assessment. The assessment is designed to measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the classification. C andidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies assessed, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include but are not limited to: Adaptability, Driving Results, Teamwork, Displaying, Action & Results Focused, Attention to Detail, Using Technology, Using Technology, and Bilingual Communication. (Weighted: 100%)
Hiring Interview: Tentatively Scheduled for the week of 10/14/2023


Tentative Dates:

Online Interview Assessment: 9/30/2024

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alex Johnson at Alex.Johnson@hrd.cccounty.us For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 9/11/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Contra Costa County, California United States View Map