Director Board of Elections/Voter Registration

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in the election processes in Bucks County, the fourth largest county in the State of Pennsylvania? Are you committed to ensuring the efficient and accurate administration of elections while also maintaining the integrity of vital records of 470,992 registered voters? If so, we invite you to consider the role of Director of the Bucks County Board of Elections/Voter Registration.

The Board of Elections office is at the heart of our community’s election governance, overseeing critical functions that impact every Bucks County resident. As a member of our team, you will collaborate with a dedicated group of 20 full-time and 40+ seasonal part-time employees, working under the direction of the Board of Elections/Voter Registration Director. Bucks County has an excellent benefits package including medical, vision, dental, and prescription as well as an employer-matched retirement program. Bucks County is a wonderful community to live, work, and play and is uniquely located along the I-95 Corridor.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Directs operation of the offices of Board of Elections, Voter Registration, and Voting Machines. This includes planning and conducting elections, voter registration management, and ensuring compliance with election laws and regulations. The Director is responsible for training election staff, overseeing technological security measures to safeguard voting integrity as well as creating an annual budget. Communicates election information to the Board of Elections, County administration, and the public. Addresses any issues or concerns that may arise during the election process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Manages the Board of Elections office by overseeing daily operations including but not limited to the below functions.
• Directs voter registration procedures, supervises processing and maintenance of voter registration records, maintains accurate voter registration statistics, and ensures performance of statutory voter list maintenance.
• Supervises voter registration, voting machines, all elections staff, precinct officials and poll workers, delegating duties and ensuring adherence to election laws, PA Department of State Guidance and other procedures.
• Interviews, hires, and evaluates staff to ensure all statutory obligations are met and that office procedures and practices are followed.
• Ensures office is in compliance with federal election law, Pennsylvania Election Code, and its amendments as well as PA Department of State Guidance.
• Prepares agendas, documents, and reports for Election Board meetings, attends board meetings, and reviews, finalizes, and distributes board meeting minutes.
• Receives recommendations from voting machines staff on the selection of polling place locations and accessibility to be presented to the Board of Elections for a public vote.
• Researches, remains up to date with, and provides board and County administration with information pertaining to proposed changes or changes to election law, potential or active litigation, and information from the Department of State.
• Oversees election systems vendors to coordinate ballot setup, logic and accuracy testing, Election Day support, and post-election procedures.
• During election processing, produces absentee and mail-in files, transmits to print vendor, and confirms receipt and delivery for daily mailing of ballots.
• Responsible for overseeing the procurement, maintenance, and storage of voting equipment and supplies.
• Procures ballots and all other election supplies and materials, working with multiple vendors, ensuring printing specifications are met and are compatible with equipment within the appropriate timeframe to meet statutory requirements. (i.e. printed barcodes read on sorting machine, ballots scan on voting equipment, envelopes open on extracting equipment, etc.).
• Makes recommendations on all petitions by electors for division, change, or consolidation of election districts.
• Trains district election officials, instructs on Election Day duties, and resolves issues on Election Day.
• Directs pre-canvass and canvass of absentee and mail-in ballots ensuring that all statutory requirements are met and fulfilled in accordance with all relevant legislation.
• Prepares and publishes all notices required in connection with conducting primaries and general elections.
• Reports suspected election fraud, irregularities, violations of election laws, and all suspicious circumstances to the District Attorney.
• Works with relevant federal and state agencies to ensure effective election security and cybersecurity procedures are followed.
• Receives and determines sufficiency of all nomination petitions, papers, and certificates. Issues certificates of election to successful candidates.
• Receives voting returns of all primaries and elections from the district election officers to canvass, compute, and certify the results to authorities as required by law.
• Manages retention of office records, ensuring all records are properly maintained in accordance with the Records Retention Act schedule and other relevant laws.
• Prepares and submits annual department budget which includes cost estimates of primaries, elections, and expenses to the Board of Election and County administration.
• Prepares and monitors election integrity grant application to the Department of State and manages necessary information and submissions for any other grants that arise.
• Responds to inquiries from County administration, elected officials, Department of State, and the general public.
• Assists County Communications Department in responding to media inquiries regarding elections as well as in writing all elections communications.
• Interacts with the County Law Department on matters of election law and the open records officer on right to know requests.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and as arises.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in related field and at least five years of experience in election administration or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Management experience including supervision of employees, overseeing and coordinating fiscal operations, development of policies and procedures, and applying rules and regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong public speaking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with board members, staff, community representatives, and public officials at all levels.
• Proficient in hardware and software computer technology including but not limited to Microsoft and Adobe products.
• Experience in the use and operation of the Pennsylvania Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE) system.
• Ability to read and understand case law, statutes, amendments and other legal documents and publications.

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