Election Education Intern Community Service Aide II

The City Auditors Office is seeking two interns who are curious analytical and interested in learning about the work of the Elections Division. This position will be critical in planning researching and evaluating policy and community engagement approaches related to ranked choice voting candidates campaigns and other areas of focus within the Elections Division. The position will last 12 weeks at 40 hours per week during June July and August.

The Auditor is independent of City Council and accountable only to the public. The Auditors Office promotes open and accountable government by providing impartial reviews and investigations access to public information and services for City government and the public. It employs nearly 52 staff members working in seven divisions.

Interns will work alongside five elections staff in the City Elections Division and report to the Elections Education Supervisor. The Elections Division oversees elections processes such as required voter education ballot qualification petition and measure management and election results certification to the City Council. The Division also carries out services under the umbrella of Campaign Finance and Lobbying Regulations including investigations and enforcement procedures. The Division provides information and training to candidates and voters and partners with other elections jurisdictions and City Offices to provide voter education and carryout open accountable and transparent City Elections.

Responsibilities of the Election Education Interns include:

• Conducting community outreach to Citywide and culturally specific groups including required attendance at several specified live events or hearings some of which will happen outside of traditional work hours;
• Shadowing County and City election officials to learn their work;
• Attending and contributing to team and project meetings;
• Designing and implementing an independent project related to elections work and the individuals academic interests;
• Applying a racial equity lens to projects and tasks and centering historically underserved communities in elections work;
• Exercising strong nonpartisan decisionmaking and judgment at all times;
• Helping create evaluate and organize accessible information such as digital content analyzing impacts of advertising approaches and assisting with presentations about elections division work;
• Researching state and local public policies guidance and leading practices;
• Working collaboratively with other City Offices elected officials legal professionals and elections jurisdictions;
• Collecting and analyzing voter education data;
• Demonstrating sound judgment tact and discretion in dealing with politically sensitive situations; and
• Communicating orally and in writing to a wide variety of individuals.

Successful candidates will have:

• Commitment to impartial and nonpartisan voter and community education including strict adherence to all Auditors Office rules on disclosure/political activity;
• An interest in local government operations administrative rules and relevant local and state election law;
• Ability to help create and maintain relationships with community organizations led by and for communities of color and community leaders representing historically disenfranchised populations;
• A strong interest in public service and the ability to treat upset or agitated customers with respect patience and empathy;
• Demonstrated ability to work alongside others in a positive supportive and reflective team environment;
• Ability and a willingness to learn to communicate clearly logically and persuasively both orally and in writing to a wide variety of audiences in a political environment;
• Interest in learning a variety of communication formats and platforms including collaborative and creative tools; and
• A commitment to government accountability and transparency.

The Auditors Office values a diverse workforce and a culture of equity and inclusion in delivering public services and everyday interactions in the workplace. The Office encourages candidates with experience working or volunteering with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply.

TO QUALIFY/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must be:

• Enrolled as an undergraduate and in good standing at an accredited college or university; OR
• Completed an associate or bachelors degree within the last year.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The most qualified candidates will have one or more of the following preferred qualifications:

• Coursework in a related field such as political science communications social science etc.
• A demonstrated interest in election related work.

TO APPLY:

Submit two documents:

1. A resume

List professional and relevant work and volunteer experience; education and training; and the time periods for each. If you speak more than one language or have specialized skills please list them.

1. Supplemental Questions

Describe how you meet the above minimum and preferred qualifications. Wherever possible connect items in your resume and provide examples to demonstrate how you meet these qualifications. It is advised that you use the numbered list below to ensure you respond to each item. Skipping any of the items will disqualify your application from further consideration so please complete your supplemental questions with care. Your application materials (resume and supplemental questions) should not exceed a total of four pages.

Question 1: Choose one of the following and tell us about your experience:

1. as a member of a historically underrepresented group participating in government decisionmaking;
2. ensuring equitable operations or program outcomes; making schools workplaces and/or public spaces more inclusive; or
3. exposure to racial inequities and actions you took to help resolve them.
4. If your experiences are different from those listed and you have a commitment to diversity equity and inclusion please explain how you will manifest that commitment in this position.

Question 2: Describe your experience engaging with your community communities or civic organizations on issues of governance. If you dont feel you have had the opportunity for this type of engagement yet you can describe an educational experience related to governance or explain your lack of experience related to governance.

Question 3: Provide an example of a time you used communication skills to explain a complex topic to a community or group. If you dont feel you have the opportunity for this type of communication yet you can describe how and why communication is an important element in elections education.

Question 4: In relation to this internship share what you are most excited about and what you hope to get out of the experience with the Elections Division.

Applicants must submit their resume and question answers through the City of Portlands online application system no later than 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. Emailed mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. Your application materials (resume and supplemental questions) should not exceed a total of four pages. Please do not include materials not requested.

Recruitment Timeline(subject to change)

Application period: 3/31 4/14

Applications reviewed: Week of April 14

Interview candidates: Week of April 21

Job offer: week of April 28

Tentative starting date: 6/23 (Date is negotiable on a casebycase basis)

Employee benefits:Community Service Aides do not accrue vacation or service credit. Full time Community Service Aides are eligible for holiday pay if they were hired at least two weeks prior to the holiday. Transit passes will be made available for the length of the program. Find more information on the City of Portlands benefits here:Benefits Information The City of Portland Oregon.

City Sick Time: Community Service Aides are eligible for paid sick time under Oregons Sick Time following link provides an overview of City Sick Time: status: Noncitizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Work location: The position is based in City Hall 1221 SW 4th Ave Rm 130. The Auditors Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule of inperson and remote work. Interns will also be required to attend a specified amount of offsite community engagement events.

Veterans preference: If you are requesting Veterans Preference attach a copy of your DD214 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile (if applicable) as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for. Veterans Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

Equal employment opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race religion color sex marital status family status national origin age mental or physical disability protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or . The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

Disability Pregnancy and Religious Accommodations:If you identify as a person with a disability are pregnant or nursing or observe a religious practice(s) and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this internship contact Administrative Specialist Andrew Bryans at.

Technical assistance: If you have questions about how to apply or require any assistance in submitting your application please contact Administrative Specialist Andrew Bryans at.

For more information about the Auditors Office: Experience:

Intern