Initial Posting Date:

07/24/2026

Application Deadline:

08/09/2026

Agency:

Secretary of State

Salary Range:

$7,216 - $11,720

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Elections Program Manager (Business Operations Manager 1)

Job Description:

LOCATION: Salem, OR

In-state remote work is available for this position with supervisor approval.

See definition and requirements of remote work for the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office: Remote work with the Secretary of State’s Office

SALARY:

$7,216 - $11,720/per month Non-PERS Rate

$7,649 - $12,424/per month PERS Rate

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

We are recruiting for an individual to join our Elections division.

In this role you will serve as a key member of the Elections Division management team. You will oversee all aspects of the Division’s work related to voters’ pamphlet, translations, candidacy filing, initiative, referendum, referral, and recall programs.

The duties of this position are accomplished by, but not limited to:

• Managing a team of people with diverse skillsets and levels of experience.

• Coaching and providing feedback on performance and work products.

• Providing guidance about policy implementation, procedures, and processes.

• Interpreting and applying state and federal laws, administrative rules, policies, and procedures.

• Providing oversight, guidance, and subject matter expertise on a variety of programs including candidacy filing and eligibility; voters’ pamphlet submissions and translations; and initiative, referendum, and recall petition filings and verification.

• Collaborating with internal partners to evaluate system, operational, and process needs.

• Overseeing program staff that provide day-to-day support to filers and local election administrators and assisting them in responding to and resolving complex procedural and legally-sensitive issues.

• Overseeing and managing contracts and vendor performance.

For explicit duties, please request a copy of the position description from HR.SOS@SOS.oregon.gov.

If this recruitment is of interest to you, we suggest you also check out this one: County & Customer Support Manager

TO QUALIFY:

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our desired qualifications listed.

Your application must demonstrate education and/or experience in the following:

Five years of lead work, supervision, or progressively related experience;

OR

Two years of related experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

*Experience must include direct supervision and management over staff which included authority to: Hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward or discipline other employees, or responsibility to direct them, or to address their grievances, or to effectively recommend such action(s).

Note: college-level course work may substitute for the experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year of experience, up to a maximum of one year. If you are using your education to meet the minimum qualifications of this position, transcripts are required no later than the time of interview. Transcripts must clearly show 1) your name; 2) the name and address of the institution; 3) course work completed with a passing grade. For application purposes, photocopies are acceptable; however official or original documents may be requested to validate education.

Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate.

As the most competitive candidate, your application will demonstrate the following requested skills and experience:

• Leadership and team management - an aptitude to lead and motivate a diverse team, manage workloads effectively, and foster a collaborative work environment that drives high performance and continuous improvement in a fast-paced and legally sensitive environment.

• Staff Development - actively engage and motivate employees to perform their work with rigor and support success by coaching, identifying training needs, and pursuing professional development.

• Legislative and Policy Expertise - experience assessing, interpreting, recommending, and/or applying statutes, legislation, rules, and regulations.

• Emotional Intelligence - strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to tactfully and effectively navigate complex and difficult scenarios. The ability to consciously recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions, and to empathetically and judiciously recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.

• Written and verbal communication - proven ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately to engage with a wide and diverse audience.

Preference may be awarded to candidates that have experience in elections operations and/or elections administration applying federal, state, and local election laws and regulations applicable to conducting elections.

If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Click apply

• Upload your resume

• Complete job history and education sections to clearly demonstrate how you meet minimum qualifications for the position

• Complete application questionnaire

• Submit your finalized application

• Complete additional inbox questionnaires on confidentiality and veteran status

Please note: you must attach your resume to your application and complete the job history and education sections of the application. Failure to submit the required materials will remove your application from consideration.

ABOUT THE AGENCY:

The Oregon Secretary of State is one of three constitutional offices created at statehood. As an independent constitutional officer, the Secretary of State answers directly and solely to the people of Oregon.

The Secretary of State employs approximately 245 full-time, part-time, and temporary employees. The Secretary oversees the functions of seven program divisions: Archives, Audits, Corporation, Elections, Business Services, Information Systems, and Human Resources.

OUR MISSION:

Build trust between the people of Oregon and our state government so that public services can make a positive impact in peoples’ lives.

OUR VISION:

We envision an Oregon without barriers, where we lead with our values and believe every voice should be heard. We do so by:

• Building equitable access to our democracy.

• Making tools easily available to achieve economic success.

• Ensuring state resources are used sustainably, efficiently and accountable to the public.

• Honestly acknowledging Oregon’s history.

OUR VALUES:

Access for all

We elevate equity through identifying and actively eliminating barriers.

Authenticity

We have integrity and are honest and true to ourselves and others.

Clarity

We share stories, using plain language to increase understanding and impact.

Respect

We are committed to serving the people of Oregon and strive to understand all viewpoints.

Service

We are responsive and prioritize the needs of current and future Oregonians we serve.

For more information about the Oregon Office of Secretary of State, please visit: State of Oregon: Oregon Secretary of State - Home

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Family Friendly Work Life Balance (paid time off, 12 holidays, 3 personal days, short and long term disability benefits)

• Take Care of Yourself and Your Family (comprehensive employee benefits, choice of medical plans, vision plan, life insurance, child care flexible spending account, employee assistance program)

• Celebrate Uniqueness: Diversity and inclusion are cornerstones of our values. We recognize that diversity and inclusion are critical to developing a talented, high-performing workforce and are committed to providing a supportive work environment in which all of our employees can thrive and reach their full potential. We strive to maintain a culture that attracts, develops and retains a diverse workforce that closely mirrors the residents of our community. We learn from and respect the cultures in which we operate and value the uniqueness of individual talents, experiences and ideas.

• Invest in Your Future: (Pension plan, deferred comp, short and long term disability plan, flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care)

• Be Appreciated (employee recognition events, agency unique employee recognition program allowing for additional leave options such as vacation buy-out and sick leave roll-over, dynamic employees doing impactful work)

• ADA: At the Secretary of State, we value community and foster a sense of belonging for our employees

See our current job listings and internship opportunities, compensation, and benefits here: Careers with the Secretary of State.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Additional applicant screening will depend on the number of qualified applications received. Screening may include skills testing, the results which may be used as part of the applicant evaluation process.

• Candidates whose background most closely matches the qualifications and required/requested skills of this position will be invited to an interview.

• Successful candidates will require professional reference checks and must pass a criminal history check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting in order to have the preference considered.

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6%.

QUESTIONS?

For additional information you may contact us at HR.SOS@SOS.oregon.gov.

The Oregon Secretary of State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workplace.