Introduction
The State of Connecticut, The Office of the Secretary of the State (SOTS) is designated by the Constitution and General Statutes of Connecticut as the official keeper of a wide array of public records and documents. As a vital source of information regarding various businesses, commercial lenders, elections, legislation, regulations and other areas, this office is responsible for responding to more than 600,000 requests for information annually.
We are recruiting for a Division Director (LEAD) to directing the programs, activities and operations of the Legislation Elections and Administrative Division.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- Full-time, first shift
- Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week
- Close to major highways
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
- To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
- An excellent salary
- Competitive state benefits package that includes Health and Dental coverage
- State Employee Retirement System (SERS) Tier IV (new hires after 7/17/17)
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation 457 Plan through Empower (formerly Prudential)
- Paid time off
- Dedicated employee parking
THE ROLE:
This position will be responsible for assigning and providing oversight for all election and voter registration functions and specifically supervise three (3) Staff Attorneys, five (5) Election Officers and three (3) administrative support staff members.
The primary functions of this position include, but are not limited to: ensuring compliance with registration and election laws; coordinates the training of local election officials; drafts legislative proposals and regulations; monitors changes in federal election law, funding sources and grant opportunities; serves as a liaison between the Agency and registrars of voters, town clerks, municipal governments, other state agencies, other state governments and the federal government; attends regional and statewide meetings of town clerks and registrars organizations; receives and responds to public inquiries, requests for assistance, and complaints regarding areas of responsibility; works with the IT Director to strengthen Connecticut's cybersecurity infrastructure and to manage existing technology and implement new technology for election systems, accessible voting systems, online voter registration, motor-voter registration and other agency programs. Monitor available Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds or other funding sources and grant opportunities. Participate as a member of the National Association of Election Directors (NASED)and the Electronic Voter Registration Center (ERIC) and other national boards as requested by the Secretary.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Selection Plan
Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application into the State JobAps system. Applicants who submit an untimely, incomplete or inaccurate application will not be considered for this employment opportunity.
This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.
During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualifications. These documents may include resume, college or trade school transcripts and performance evaluations. Interviews will be limited to applicants whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. The recruitment process may require more than one interview.
Due to the anticipated volume of applications for this opportunity, CTMD will not provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Your application may be used for future CTMD opportunities for this job classification. Questions pertaining to this recruitment should be made to Lorna Reid, lorna.reid@ct.gov.
All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
NOTE: In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a background investigation of each candidate may be made before individuals are certified for permanent appointment to the position.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Office of the Secretary of the State this class is accountable for directing the programs, activities and operations of a division.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Directs staff and operations of a programmatic division and works in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General;
- Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;
- Formulates program goals and objectives;
- Develops or assists in development of related policy;
- Interprets and administers pertinent state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies and legislation to ensure conformance with statutory purpose and authority;
- Evaluates staff;
- Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget;
- Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact on program activities;
- Oversees implementation of new procedures and procedural revisions;
- Drafts proposed legislation and regulations;
- Provides assistance to staff in implementing newly enacted legislation;
- Advises Secretary of the State concerning matters requiring an opinion from Office of the Attorney General and drafts requests for opinions;
- Serves as liaison between Secretary of the State and Office of the Attorney General;
- Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
- Performs related duties as required.
LEGISLATIVE AND ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
- Directs preparation and editing of nominating and primary petition forms, nominating forms, ballots, lists of candidates;
- Oversees drafting of legislation and testimony for legislative committees related to election law;
- Administers Election Official Conferences and conducts training for election officials;
- Directs preparation and publication of State Register and Manual and other governmental information;
- Directs transmittal of Public and Special Acts passed by the General Assembly;
- Directs appointment of Notaries Public;
- Directs attorneys in conduct of disciplinary hearings;
- Directs filing of regulations, special acts, executive orders, ordinances, extradition papers, official bonds of all state agencies and municipalities.
COMMERCIAL RECORDING DIVISION
- Directs examination of all documents submitted for filing for conformance with corporation, limited partnership, uniform commercial code and trademark laws and payment of statutory fees and taxes;
- Renders assistance to attorneys on all legal aspects of Corporation, Limited Liability Companies, Limited partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, Statutory Trusts, General Partnerships, Writs and Uniform Commercial Code, Trademark laws, church corporations, insurance companies and bank filings;
- Directs preparation of special certificates and certification of documents of record.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- and ability to apply management principles and practices;
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;
- legislative process and procedures;
- Knowledge of
- Corporation, Limited Partnership, Statutory Trust, Limited Liability Company, Limited Liability Partnership, General Partnership Statement of Authority and Trademark, Uniform Commercial Code, banks, insurance companies and public service corporation laws;
- Connecticut and Federal election law;
- records management;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Considerable ability to interpret, analyze and prepare complex legislation and other legal documents;
- Ability to
- analyze organizational problems and determine effective solutions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Ten (10) years of relevant experience including experience in the area of election, corporate, trademark law or a related field.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with the political and legislative process
- Strongly preferred experience with election laws
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Experience with public and interpersonal relations
- Experience with budget management principles
- Experience gathering and analyzing data
- Demonstrated experience in elections security
- Demonstrated success in implementing change and a strong record of supervisory oversight
- Experience developing, motivating and giving leadership support to staff
- Experience interpreting complex information and in conveying it to others in an accurate, complete, and understandable manner
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.