ELECTION OPERATIONS MANAGER

The mission of the City of Milwaukee Election Commission (MEC) is to ensure that all elections are secure, fair, transparent, and accessible, instilling voter confidence in the democratic process. The core organizational values include accuracy, adaptability, and a strong commitment to customer service, with a focus on dignity and respect. Staff members recognize the diverse community they serve and are approachable, resourceful, and helpful at all times.

Election administration is a team effort with an all-hands-on-deck approach. Both management and non-management collaborate to get the job done. While the hours can be long during the weeks leading up to an election, they are predictable; during off-election cycles, staff can request a hybrid work-from-home schedule.

The Election Operations Manager plans, directs and oversees all election field operations and serves as a personnel manager for two full-time staff and up to 50 seasonal election staff.

MEC is seeking a candidate who thrives in a team environment, demonstrates strong emotional intelligence, communicates clearly and professionally and remains calm under pressure.

Election Day Operations

• Oversee all Election Day field operations, which include planning logistics, staffing, vendor coordination, secure transportation, outdoor signage, communication between sites and MEC, supply management, chain of custody and risk mitigation.
• Oversee the secure transportation of supplies and equipment for all field operations, including early voting centers, drop boxes, polling locations, Central Count and supply depots.
• Maintain chain of custody, proper seal tracking for all election materials and equipment.
• Oversee and execute the planning, staffing and training of Election Day field operations, call center, and triage room.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure all public notices related to polling locations are accurate and completed in time.

Equipment and Ballot Management

• Work closely with the Executive Team to plan and lead Logic & Accuracy and Public Testing of all election equipment.
• Develop contingency plans to ensure voting is not interrupted during Early Voting and on Election Day.
• Ensure the building security of the Operations Center, including the safe storage of supplies and the operation of warehouse equipment and machines.
• Develop maintenance schedules and serve as a vendor liaison for all equipment, including copy machines, printers, folders, high-speed mail openers, tabulators, laminators, ballot marking devices, etc., to ensure equipment is fully operational.

Polling Place Management

• Ensure that all polling locations have enough supplies, equipment and election materials to maintain operations from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day.
• Ensure all wards are accounted for at all polling locations.
• Oversee communication, agreements and access to all polling locations.
• Lead any problem-solving or polling place changes to ensure compliance.
• Lead polling place audits to develop Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility plans for election day compliance.
• Research and develop plans for ward map and polling place changes.
• Ensure all polling location information is correct on the State’s systems and required forms, City’s website, poll worker management systems and any other public-facing publications and flyers.
• Develop signage placement and voter parking plans to ensure the highest visibility on Election Day for all polling locations.
• Develop and maintain emergency management procedures for polling locations, including contingency planning and alternative polling place management.

Management

• Oversee the recruitment and hiring of MEC’s seasonal laborer teams. Train seasonal laborers to provide logistical, maintenance and transportation support of equipment, ballots, and supplies for the department.
• Oversee the maintenance and security of the Election Operations Center, ensuring that staff follow safety and security work rules.
• Coordinate with the Training Manager to ensure that the department’s poll worker and polling location tracking systems are accurate and ready for Election Day.
• Serve as the liaison for polling location site owners and set election day emergency contacts for all polling locations.
• Coordinate the private polling location program.
• Coordinate with other city departments to ensure the City is ready on Election Day, including planning for voter parking signs, ADA accessibility resources, recruiting city staff to work elections, ensuring IT and communication support, building access, security camera access and any other issues that require attention.

Team Dynamics

• Assist in cultivating positive employee morale, employee resiliency and cohesion, effective communication and a strong department culture based on operational excellence and public service.
• Provide support and coordination to ensure MEC is ready for Election Day and all aspects of election administration are successful.
• Attend joint training classes, staff community events, coordinate seasonal staffing schedules, pivot work priorities to support colleagues or meet deadlines and make time for conflict resolution during high-pressure situations.
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary teams to complete citywide projects, including post-election reconciliation, post-election inventory management, intern programs, community listening sessions, or mock election programs.  

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• The Election Operations Manager must have reliable transportation and work evenings and weekends during the election season.
• The daily work is predominantly located at the Operations Center; however, the incumbent will work at other locations, including City Hall.
• Approximately three weeks before each election, staff work more than 60 hours a week and on weekends. The Department also has staff vacation blackout periods before every election to support final preparations. However, during off-cycles, work-from-home privileges are available.
• Must perform light physical work, including moving equipment weighing upwards of 10 pounds.

1. Bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management, business administration, public administration, communications or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Three years of professional experience in election operations and administration, including overseeing polling locations, logistics, and equipment, including one year of related supervisory or lead worker experience.
3. Completion of WisVote training requirements to access the statewide voter system within 30 days of appointment.
4. Must be a qualified elector of the State of Wisconsin, meeting the following criteria:
   1. At least 18 years of age at time of application close;
   2. Not currently serving any portion of a sentence for a felony conviction;
   3. Must establish and maintain residency in the State of Wisconsin for at least 28 consecutive days within one month of appointment;
   4. Not otherwise disqualified from voting (Please review Wis. Stat. § 6.03 for disqualifications from voting).
5. Valid driver’s license at the time of appointment and throughout employment and the availability of a properly registered and insured vehicle for use on the job. Private automobile allowance may be paid for a maximum of five months per year pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered; however, one year performing duties in a related supervisory or lead worker role is required and may not be substituted with education. 

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Election administration experience within the State of Wisconsin.

Technical

• Knowledge of inventory control, supply, and asset management, including inventory forecasting, chain of custody, and records management.
• Knowledge of logistics operations best practices and the ability to coordinate transportation of materials.
• Ability to develop, write and implement operational policies and procedures to ensure efficiency, compliance, and accountability.
• Ability to ensure compliance with municipal, county, state, and federal policies and regulatory requirements
• Ability to learn and apply the principles and requirements regarding elections and the electoral process.
• Ability to learn governmental operations and procedures related to the department and elections.
• Ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to learn to utilize the internal database system to enter voter registration information.
• Ability to accurately complete mathematical calculations (e.g., rate, ratio and percentage) to report technical information.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret and prepare technical and non-technical work-related materials, such as reports, presentations and informational guides.

Leadership and Management

• Knowledge of leadership principles and best practices for selecting, managing, and motivating employees
• Ability to assign duties to full-time and seasonal workers.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Ability to assign and direct work, assess performance, make hiring decisions and take corrective action.
• Ability to manage and oversee complex tasks.
• Ability to create and develop a diverse work team in which all members can reach their potential.
• Ability to add new insights into situations and apply innovative solutions to make organizational improvements.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Verbal communication skills to ensure the accuracy of information conveyed and to explain complex concepts to individuals with varying degrees of understanding.
• Written communication skills to develop professional correspondence free of grammatical and punctuation errors.
• Ability to present to and educate diverse resident groups about the absentee voter process.
• Ability to positively and effectively interact with staff, other city departments, city officials, outside agencies and the public.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively handle inquiries from elected officials, other city departments, and the public.
• Strong people skills and an ability to work cooperatively with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff, other agencies, and the public.

Judgment and Responsibility

• Ability to manage multiple projects in various stages of completion.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize work, adjust to changing deadlines, and achieve objectives on time.
• Ability to work ethically and with integrity.
• Ability to make sound and accurate decisions by supporting and explaining the reasoning for decisions made.
• Ability to adapt and change the approach or method used to fit the situation best.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate information to solve problems.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion acumen and the ability to consider policy and projects from an equity lens.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to handle emergencies with a calm and thoughtful approach.
• Ability to exhibit professionalism, trustworthiness, and stewardship regarding City resources.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1FX) is $74,375 – $95,390 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $77,350 - $99,206 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS: 
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program, which includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement Systems (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services 
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information can be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.