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Elections Security Specialist (Hybrid)

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Elections Security Specialist (Hybrid)

Salary

$58,000.00 - $75,000.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

VAA00054 - 06/24

Department

Department of State

Division

Elections Division

Opening Date

06/20/2024

Closing Date

7/4/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

1700 Broadway Suite 550 Denver, CO 80290

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

terry.e.green@coloradosos.gov 303.894.2200

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description

• Benefits

Department Information

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR THE SPECIFIED TIME AND IS OPEN ONLY TO COLORADO STATE RESIDENTS.

Posting will close on July 4, 2024, at 11:59 PM.

INNOVATE. SERVE. BALANCE. IMPROVE. THRIVE.

Are you looking for a career that allows you to improve your world and the world around you? The Colorado Department of State (CDOS) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a position that makes a direct impact on enhancing the lives of Coloradans.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference through the work you do each day, consider joining the dedicated employees of the Colorado Department of State. Whether working from your home or collaborating onsite, your professional experience will be connected and meaningful. Our office offers an RTD Eco-pass (currently free of charge) and is conveniently located near Civic Center Station, RTD light-rail lines, and the 16th Street Mall. In addition to a great location and fulfilling, impactful work, we offer:

• Employee wellness programs and an on-site fitness center

• 12 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off and sick leave

• Access to a diverse array of technical, leadership, and supervisory training opportunities

• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Paid life insurance

• Automatic short-term (and optional long-term) disability coverage

• Excellent work-life balance through flex schedules, flexplace/remote work, and ad-hoc arrangements

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation

Important Note - this position:

• will have the option to work a hybrid work schedule with a combination of in-office workdays and remote work.

• offers excellent work-life balance through flex schedules, flexplace/remote work, and ad-hoc arrangements.

Our Culture & Environment:

Coloradans come from all walks of life and so do we.

Who We Are

Our mission is to make government easy and accessible for people to further democracy, support economic opportunity for all Coloradans, and demonstrate a standard of integrity and excellence. Our vision is to ensure all Coloradans have a voice in our future, help Coloradans and their businesses thrive, and be the best at what we do.

What We Believe

The State of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At the Colorado Department of State, we are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to building work environments that are inclusive and reflect our communities and the diverse talents of all people. We highly encourage people from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.

Our agency website: Colorado Secretary of State's Office (https://www.coloradosos.gov/)

Description of Job

Elections Division

The Elections Division supports the Secretary of State, as the state’s chief election official, by administering and supervising statutory and constitutional provisions that relate directly or indirectly to the conduct of Colorado elections. These include certifying content to the ballot, publishing the abstract of vote totals, as well as overseeing the verification of petitions for ballot issues, campaign finance filings and enforcement, lobbyist filings and enforcement, voting equipment certifications, requirements of the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act, and maintaining the statewide voter registration system.

Elections Security Unit

The work unit has the dual responsibility of overseeing and assisting counties to improve their election security and working to improve the Department's physical and technical election security. This unit’s major external function is to develop and implement a plan to identify county election security vulnerabilities, as well as working with counties to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for county election facilities. This will include working directly with counties through visitation, assessment, and managing improvement implementation. A major internal function is communication of major security-related ideas and ADA responsibilities, both to elections officials, as well as the public. The work unit interacts directly with the Colorado security community, including Colorado Department of Homeland Security, the Colorado National Guard, the Colorado Governor's Office, and other groups to improve the Department's security standing among those stakeholders. It also interacts directly with Colorado’s ADA compliance community, including Disability Colorado, the federally designated agency that oversees election ADA compliance. This work unit partners with major stakeholders, including County Clerk and Recorder Offices, County Commissioners, agencies that provide or consume election data, ADA compliance agencies, and political parties.

DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

In this role, you will be a valued member of the Elections Security Team. You will collaborate with counties to assess current election security status for county offices and voting service and polling centers (VSPC) and make recommendations for improvement or referrals for assistance. You will also collaborate with various CDOS (Colorado Department of State) teams to improve the state and counties’ security and readiness in cyber and physical security, Personnel and Privacy protections, insider threats, and mail ballot processing.

The ideal candidate will be a critical and creative thinker and be able to work independently as well as on a team. To succeed in this role, it is important that you have outstanding written and verbal skills and are committed to advancing a diverse and inclusive perspective.

Illustration of some key duties:

• Assessment of County Elections Security & Preparedness – You will conduct onsite visits with counties to assess physical, personnel, and election process security status, and collect and maintain information gathered in a centralized database. You will use this information to collaboratively work with counties to improve physical, personnel, and election process security by identifying opportunities for improvement or noting deficiencies. You will also assist counties with planning for election contingencies through collaboration and tabletop exercises, plans, and regular follow up, as well as assisting counties with identifying and securing appropriate grant funding related to elections security.

• Analyze Submitted Alternate Security Provisions, Incident Reports, & Contingency Plans- You will analyze and assess county requests for alternate security provisions, identifying concerns and deficiencies, consider all available options and alternatives, and make recommendations for mitigation, remedy, or escalation. You will analyze and assess county incident reports, identifying security threats and deficiencies, and make recommendations for mitigation, remedy, or escalation. You will also analyze and assess submitted election contingency plans identifying concerns and sufficiency, and make recommendations for mitigation, remedy, or escalation.

• Elections Security Policy & Best Practices - You will research and monitor federal and state legislation, rules, emerging best practices, and reports and recommendations from national thinktanks and other organizations and use researched information to make recommendations regarding the creation, maintenance, and distribution of CDOS Elections Security Best Practice policy documents to counties. You will make recommendations for new or modified CDOS and county security policies and requirements, based on encountered situations, research, and monitoring of local and national events.

• Elections Security Rapid Response Team – You will serve as a member of the Elections Security Rapid Response Team, and quickly respond to elections security incidents across the state, assessing risk by communicating verbally and in writing with counties. You will review logs, chain-of-custody, and other information to assess adherence to law and rule, and to identify potential security risks, physical breaches, or election fraud. You will recommend mitigation strategies on recovering from the incident. You will also assist in crafting formal procedures for the elections security rapid response plan.

• Professional Development & EDI (Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion) – You will continue to improve and develop new skills through ongoing training provided through the Secretary of State's office or other State agencies. You will attend and complete all EDI training and participate in EDI office-wide initiatives to advance an inclusive culture. You will be committed to advancing a diverse and inclusive workplace by being open to and valuing new views and opinions and being ready to seek them out and bring down barriers that may be keeping these diverse perspectives out of programs or initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

A Human Resources Specialist will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Include any relevant unpaid work, trainings, or certifications, as these may apply toward minimum qualifications. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application, as experience will not be assumed or inferred. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application but may be attached. Part-time experience will be pro-rated. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application may also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

This position requires a total of6 yearsof relevant professional experience and/or education in a field of study related to the work. To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate that youmeet one of the following optionsoutlined below:

OPTION 1 - Experience

Six years of professional experience in public policy or public safety work and developing and implementing improvements in security systems or procedures.

OR

OPTION 2– Education and Experience combined – Be sure you’ve attached a copy of your unofficial transcript to qualify for this option.

Successful relevant course work from an accredited college or university in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Computer Science, Law, Security Management, Communications, Information Systems, Election Administration, Election Policy, or a closely related field.

PLUS

any remaining years of professional experience in public policy or public safety work and developing and implementing improvements in security systems or proceduresto equal a total of 6 yearsbetween education and experience combined.

• An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of the application, if applicable.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Judgement and Decision-Making Skills- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Active Listening Skills - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Critical Thinking Skills- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Written and Oral Communication Comprehension and Expression Skills- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing, as well as the ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences, as well as the ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Ability to work independently and on a team - Able to work by oneself and get the job done with minimal direction and supervision. This includes self-motivation, initiative, resourcefulness, confidence, dependability, organization, planning, and problem-solving skills. Individual is also able to use interpersonal and cooperative skills to be successful and productive among peer groups.

• Complex Problem-Solving Skills- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Committed to Advancing a Diverse and Inclusive Perspective - Open to and values new views and opinions and is ready to seek them out and bring down barriers that may be keeping these diverse perspectives out of the program of initiative.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preference will be given to those candidates with previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position

• Professional experience in elections administration

• Public policy or public safety work

• Developing and implementing improvements in security systems or procedures

• Grant program management experience

• Reviewing or writing company/agency policies

• Strategic planning

• Professional work in network, systems, and/or security administration

• Conducting security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities related to physical security, staff safety, or data protection

• Reviewing processes and workflows for compliance, efficiency, and process improvement

• Experience collaborating with groups within in the Colorado election or security community

• Knowledge of threats to the electoral process and federal, state, and local government think tank and academic work to mitigate such threats

• Knowledge of the election process and the role of the Secretary of State’s office in this process

• Professional experience auditing and assessing security procedures on a large scale

• Ability to maintain professionalism and diplomacy when interacting with a variety of stakeholders

• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• The position will be required to regularly travel throughout the state.

• The position will be required to obtain and maintain Colorado Election Official Certification.

• This position will be required to successfully pass a background check upon hire and annually.

• Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

Notifications

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/evaluation process will be via email. Include your current working email address on your application and check your email frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from “coloradosos.gov” andinfo@governmentjobs.comaddresses. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

• A Human Resources Specialist will only review the “Work Experience” and “Education” sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the qualifications for this position.

• Cover letters and resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado application form.

• Cover letters and resumes may be attached to the application as supplemental information.

• The minimum qualifications listed in the announcement are NOT optional.

• To move forward in the hiring process, you must document that you meet the minimum qualifications on the online State of Colorado application form.

• Do not use “see resume” or “see attached” in the State of Colorado online application.

Comparative Analysis

• The comparative analysis process is used to identify candidates that will move forward in the selection process.

• The comparative analysis may consist of application reviews, phone screens, structured interviews, and any other method determined to be valuable in identifying the right candidate.

Completing the Application

It is very important that you fill out the application completely and give a detailed description of your education and work experience. Failure to do so may result in rejection of your application during the minimum qualification review or subsequent comparative analysis. Your application should address the education, experience, required competencies and preferred qualifications. Ensure that you have included all required attachments, including your transcript if applicable.

FAILURE TO DOCUMENT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EXCLUDING INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE APPLICATION MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.

ADAAA Accommodations and Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of State is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Laura Darby, at Laura.S.Darby@coloradosos.govor call (303) 894-2200 ext 6113 or Kathryn Mikeworth, at Kathryn.Mikeworth@coloradosos.govor call (303) 894-2200 ext 6312.

E-verify

The Department of State participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program’s Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you will be required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at http://dhs.gov/e-verify .

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

Agency

State of Colorado

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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