Job Details

Elections Analyst

The City Auditor's Office is seeking a mission-driven, versatile Elections Analyst to add capacity in critical areas of regulatory enforcement and ballot qualification. This position works within the Elections Division and will advance standards and procedures for the regulated community while providing timely information to the public.

The Elections Analyst works within a team of five employees and reports to the City Elections Officer. The Elections Division serves Portlanders by providing elections cycle management, voter education campaigns, and oversight of campaign finance and lobbying regulations. We're looking for someone that can provide fast-paced yet detailed program administration and analysis, plan for and conduct investigations, assist with communications, and provide general and technical customer service to a wide range of elections customers. The Elections Analyst works most closely on lobbying regulations and campaign finance enforcement while playing an important role in candidate and petition qualification. All staff have opportunities to learn and grow within the Division with cross-training and access to regular trainings and professional development throughout the year. Staff in the Elections Division are likely to have heavier workloads during and leading up to an election.

The Auditor is an elected position, independent of City Council and accountable only to the public. The Auditor's Office ensures open and accountable government by providing impartial reviews and investigations, access to public information, and services to City government and the public. It employs over 50 people across six divisions.

Responsibilities of the Elections Analyst include:

• Conducting investigations of alleged violations of local election law, including drafting reports, creating investigation plans, analyzing detailed evidence, and conducting interviews with witnesses;
• Reviewing and implementing procedures, rules, and laws, such as leading candidate filings and recommendations about qualification to the Elections Officer;
• Monitoring websites and internal filing systems for compliance with political consultant and lobbying regulations;
• Identifying and analyzing areas for continuous improvement for effective, equitable, and timely enforcement procedures;
• Providing excellent customer service and tact in dealing with high profile or challenging situations and customers;
• Making recommendations that may result in warnings or civil penalties; evaluating new situations and applying appropriate regulations;
• Maintaining databases and website information to provide clear and accurate information;
• Assisting with trainings or outreach events for a wide variety elections stakeholders in person or virtually in partnership with the City Elections Officer or elections education team members;
• Updating and evaluating public facing materials, guides, forms, and internal standards;
• Drafting and disseminating mass communications tailored to various elections audiences;
• Researching and analyzing public policy data and best practices; drafting corresponding reports to make recommendations to the City Elections Officer or Division Manager.

Successful candidates will have:

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of public administration and administrative, organizational, procedural, analysis;
• Knowledge of principles, tools, and techniques for project planning and management and sound business communication;
• Ability to analyze and identify administrative, operational, economic, and organizational issues; evaluate alternatives; provide sound, logical, fact-based conclusions and recommendations;
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret data in statistical and narrative forms; ability to use quantitative and qualitative analysis, tools, and modeling;
• Ability to analyze, interpret, explain, and apply relevant laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and procedures;
• Ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively, both orally and in writing; prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents involving administrative, organizational, technical, budgetary, and financial data; communicate complex analytical topics to non-technical audiences;
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem-solve, and take initiative within established procedures and guidelines;
• Ability to maintain accurate files, records, and documentations;
• Ability to interface with customers in high profile, public-facing environments.

Hybrid Location: The Auditor's Office is overseen by an independently elected official and currently operates a hybrid schedule, requiring staff in office in Portland City Hall for half of the pay period and allowing telework for the remaining work time. Questions about this policy or other aspects of the role can be sent to ...@portlandoregon.gov.

Diversity and Equity: 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.