General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Elections

HOURS: Full-time (40 hours per week)

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $65,638 - $82,048 annually

SALARY RANGE: $65,638 - $102,560 annually (Grade 107)

LOCATION: Hastings, MN

UNION: None

CLOSE DATE: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

The Elections Specialist is responsible for election and voter registration system databases. Leads in the preparation, ordering and distribution of election materials. Administer absentee, early voting, and by-mail voting processes. Develops, creates, and conducts training presentations and resources for seasonal election staff, municipal clerks, and election judges. Administer the Absentee Ballot Board for Dakota County. Works with cities, townships, and school districts to prepare for elections and ensure compliance with state law. Oversee election return processing, results reporting, and polling place logistics.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

An associate's degree in public administration, business administration, political science, or related field.

AND

Two years of business or administrative experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience to total at least four years which includes at least two years of business or administrative experience.

Preferred experience beyond minimum qualifications:

Previous experience in elections as an Election Judge or other elections-related experience.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

Maintains and updates the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), resolves issues, verifies accuracy of changes and updates using quality control processes.
Prepares, provides and maintains information for the public regarding voting, election information and voter registration procedures.
Responsible to administer the absentee voting process ensuring compliance with federal and state absentee voting laws. Coordinate administration of in-person absentee voting at county facilities. Oversee by-mail absentee voting. Verify one-to-one correspondence between voter and absentee ballot in accordance with state law and establishes chain of custody procedures to ensure proper tracking and secure storage of all voted absentee ballots.
Responsible for the administration of the County Absentee Ballot Board including recruiting, assigning, and training election judges, daily auditing, ensuring appropriate statutes are followed regarding acceptance and processing, and compilation and aggregation of results.
Manages Health Care and Residential Facilities requirements for absentee voting including authorization of program judges and ballot requirements.
Lead, implement, and evaluate the technical components of the electronic roster system (poll books).
Maintain voting districts and precinct boundaries using SVRS. Ensure accurate voter assignments to the correct legislative, judicial, and commissioner districts and polling locations; ensures that County and State maps are updated and accurate.
Contribute to the preparation and revisions to election instructions manuals, policy and procedure manuals, election forms, and correspondence.
Coordinates the ordering, inventory and disbursement of all election supplies and materials required in conjunction with each election. Coordinates all maintenance, repair and scheduling of maintenance of all election equipment, including assistive voting technology and ballot tabulation equipment. Conducts statutorily required public testing on tabulation equipment.
Prepare ballots and election abstracts and verifying the accuracy of Dakota County information on the Statewide Election Reporting System.
Assess and investigate voting records for violations, notify Department Director about appropriate action to resolve discrepancies.
Reviews polling places to ensure that the locations meet accessibility and election communication requirements, including the testing of communication systems for functionality.
Oversee post-election tasks including election day materials return, election day registration data, posting voter history, equipment maintenance, and record retention.
Accept campaign finance and economic interest filings and manages records. Coordinates the filing of affidavits of candidacy for the appropriate offices within Dakota County and serve as an information source for other jurisdictions within Dakota County on filing requirements and general information questions.
Oversee the daily work of assigned temporary employees to include delegating tasks and providing feedback on performance and accuracy.
Continuously monitor, analyze, and stay informed about all federal and state legislation that pertains to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
Maintains positive working relationships with city, town, and school district personnel overseeing elections that will foster and promote efficiencies, transparencies, and ensure adherence to elections laws and rules.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: All duties listed above are essential.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities And Work Environment

Specialized data processing, technical or administrative experience is defined as work in an office which requires reviewing, verifying, and interpreting information to make determinations and resolve work problems in accordance with policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
Extensive knowledge of election law, election law changes, election procedures and training methods with the ability to adapt and update operations to ensure compliance.
Strong word processing, spreadsheet and database applications skills.
Proficiency in the use of the statewide voter registration system and voter registration system (SVRS and ERS) and the county election management systems
Ability to maintain consistently high levels of productivity, accuracy and organization.
Ability to perform accurate and detailed work
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to teach and train others.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Demonstrate teamwork skills working with diverse groups of people.
Understand, interpret, and apply basic elections procedures and laws fairly, impartially, and in a nonpartisan manner.
Ability to plan and perform duties with only general minimum supervision.
Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
Ability to serve on various task forces, working groups, and internal committees.
Ability to solve problems within the scope of responsibility.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a county office building. Lifting requirements of up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Wrist and finger manipulation due to computer work, calculating, compiling and filing. Equipment used may include but is not limited to computers, telephones, scanner, and copy machines.

Benefits

Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
Excellent work-life balance.
Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year).
Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday.
Pension with a generous employer contribution.

Selection Process

You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions.
We assign you a score based on your qualifications.
Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration.
We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer.
We extend an offer and conduct background checks.

Dakota County

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Elections Specialist