Limited Duration Elections Analyst

City of Portland Office of the Auditor is seeking applicants for a Limited Duration Elections Analyst

Salary:  Minimum: $44.96/hour, $93,518.88/year
Maximum:  $55.28/hour, $114,987.60/year

Opening Date:  10/2/2023

Closing Date:  10/16/2023

THE POSITION:

The City Auditor’s Office is seeking a professional that is curious, analytical, and knowledgeable about strong democratic policies to assist in Portland’s transition to a new electoral system in 2024. This position will be critical to administering City elections procedures according to City charter, code, and state law during a time of change and growth for Portland’s elections. While this position is listed as limited duration through December 2024, the Office expects to make the position permanent in the next budget cycle.

As the sixth elected official in the City of Portland, the Auditor is independent of City Council and accountable only to the public. The Auditor’s Office promotes open and accountable government by providing impartial reviews and investigations, access to public information, and services for City government and the public. It employs nearly 40 staff members working in four divisions.

This position joins three elections staff in the City Elections Office and reports to the City Elections Officer. The Office oversees the city elections processes such as ballot qualification, petition and measure management, and elections results certification to the City Council. The Office also carries out services under the umbrella of Campaign Finance and Lobbying Regulations, including investigations and enforcement procedures. The Office provides information and training to candidates and voters and partners with other elections jurisdictions and City Offices to carryout open, accountable, and transparent City Elections. Ahead of the 2024 elections cycle, the Elections Office is working closely with the City’s Transition Team to carryout public education to inform voters of the 2022 voter approved city government reforms, including a new system of ranked choice voting and council election by geographic districts. The Elections Office will lead the implementation of the new system of elections and candidate education.

Responsibilities of the Elections Analyst include:

• Assisting elections customers with filings, policies, and related compliance questions;
• Exercising strong non-partisan decision-making and judgment at all times;
• Collecting information required for ballot qualification and making recommendations;
• Creating and delivering accessible information such as website content and giving presentations about elections, lobbying, and campaign finance;
• Drafting and researching state and local public policies and guidance;
• Working collaboratively with other City Offices, elected officials, legal professionals, and elections jurisdictions;
• Conducting administrative investigations;
• Collecting and analyzing data;
• Applying a racial equity lens to projects and tasks and centering historically underserved communities in elections work;
• Creating administrative processes and procedures such as project planning, documentation, and process improvement;
• Demonstrating sound judgment, tact, and discretion in dealing with politically sensitive situations;
• Translating complex information into plain language;
• Communicating orally and in writing to a wide variety of individuals; and
• Conducting community outreach to Citywide and culturally specific groups.

Successful candidates will have:

• Knowledge of local government operations, administrative rules, and relevant local and state election law;
• Demonstrated ability to work alongside staff in a positive, supportive, and reflective team environment;
• Expertise in creating clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, correspondence, forms, and other documents involving administrative and technical data and to communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences;
• Ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively, both orally and in writing to a wide variety of audiences in a political environment;
• Skills in customer service, in particular serving upset or otherwise difficult to serve customers with respect, patience, and empathy;
• Ability to create and maintain relationships with community organizations led by and for communities of color and community leaders representing historically disenfranchised communities;
• Proficiency with a variety of communication formats and platforms, including collaborative and creative tools; 
• Skills in data analytics and visualization tools;
• A commitment to government accountability and transparency.

The Auditor’s Office values a diverse workforce and a culture of equity and inclusion in delivering public services and everyday interactions in the workplace. The Office encourages candidates with experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply.