Ballot Technologies Election Management Coordinator - Special Project Worker

The Ballot Technologies Election Management Coordinator (Ballot Tech Manager) for the Travis County Clerk’s Election Division oversees the technology, systems, and operational processes that support the accurate production, programming, testing, security, and reporting of ballots and election equipment used in county elections. This role ensures compliance with federal and state election laws, coordinates with election officials and technology vendors, and manages the integrity and reliability of ballot tabulation systems to deliver secure, transparent, and efficient elections for the voters of Travis County. This position manages and supports a team of three to four elections coordinators. 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a job classification within the Management job family. The Ballot Tech Manager works alongside five other Elections Division managers (Ballot by Mail, Training, Sites, Voting Equipment & Operations, and Personnel) and reports to one of two Assistant Directors. This classification is responsible for overseeing the technical preparation, programming, testing, validation, and security of election ballots and related systems to ensure the accurate, timely, and legally compliant administration of elections throughout the election lifecycle.

This position requires a highly collaborative, resilient, and solutions-oriented leader who can effectively manage and delegate complex technical and operational responsibilities in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment with strict statutory deadlines. Successful candidates will demonstrate initiative, curiosity, adaptability, and sound judgment while remaining calm under pressure and proactively identifying and resolving issues. The ideal candidate builds strong cross-functional partnerships, openly shares knowledge and information to strengthen team capacity and operational continuity, and promotes a culture of collaboration, growth and continuous improvement, and accountability alongside strong technical competency and attention to detail.

• Designs, plans, implements, coordinates, and oversees election programs and projects to ensure compliance and adherence with legal standards.
• Recruits, trains, coaches, supports, and supervises the work of full-time election coordinators and seasonal employees.
• Manages ballot programming activities and conducts detailed data analysis to verify system accuracy in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develops and proofs ballot formats and layouts.
• Develops, implements, and tracks projects in accordance with legal guidelines. 
• Assists in preparation of negotiated arrangements and contracts to conduct elections for intergovernmental entities. Prepares post elections billing information.
• Collaborates in cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive data analysis for strategic decision making and resource allocation, as well as for external communications. 
• Coordinates and prepares documentation and statutorily required notices. 
• Assists in preparation and administration of Elections budget. Prepares a variety of fiscal and administrative reports. Determines resources needed to meet service demands.
• Facilitates implementation of new elections systems, software, and hardware. Tracking changes, issues, and project details with vendors while communicating updates to leadership.
• Actively and regularly participates in professional development opportunities for technical training, management skills, and leadership development.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, Government, Political Science, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a directly related field AND three (3) years of increasingly responsible elections program or project management experience, including one (1) year of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience;

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
•Valid Texas Driver's License and ability to drive county vehicles for daily tasks
•Registered Texas Voter[bs1.1] or ability to register within 30 days of employment if living out of state
•U.S. Citizen, as required by the Texas Election Code
•As part of the duties for this role, the employee will have access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI) and must meet all CJIS Security Policy requirements, including fingerprint-based background screening and adherence to data handling protocols.


Preferred:
•Texas Registered Election Official (REO) certification or Certified Elections Registration Administrator (CERA).
•Familiarity with elections systems hardware and software, such as ES & S, Hart InterCivic, Tenex Precinct Central, and/or Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) system.
•Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, data tables, formulas, and data analysis tools) and Python or similar tools.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State, Local and City election laws, regulations, procedures, and guidelines, including the Texas Election Code and other applicable federal and state laws.
• Election administration practices, automated voting systems, election technologies, and election management systems.
• Election-related software applications and information system technology.
• General office administration and project management.
• Record-keeping, budgeting, and supervisory practices and techniques.
• Microsoft Office applications and advanced Microsoft Excel functions, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.

• Supervising teams, training staff, and providing mentorship.
• Fostering a collaborative, accountable, and solutions-oriented work environment.
• Explaining complex technical concepts in clear, non-technical language.
• Proactively identifying and resolving technical and operational issues.
• Exercising sound judgment and developing scalable, sustainable solutions.
• Public speaking, professional correspondence, and relationship management.
• Both verbal and written communication.

• Coordinate multiple inter-related election preparation activities and manage competing priorities in a high-stress, deadline-driven environment.
• Explain complex technical concepts to staff, stakeholders, vendors, elected officials, and the public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees, technical staff, election officials, outside agencies, vendors, stakeholders, and the public.
• Adhere to department policies, procedures, security protocols, and standard election practices while ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance throughout the election lifecycle.
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team while promoting knowledge sharing, operational continuity, and continuous improvement.
• Remain calm under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and complete assigned tasks accurately and on time during critical election operations.
• Actively participate, with a positive demeanor, in team building, community outreach, and other public-facing activities during work hours.
• Work extended and non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime during election cycles.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry a minimum of 20 pounds and up to 100 pounds with assistance, as well as the visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Activities are subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, twisting, and balancing to perform the essential functions. The position involves regular customer and voter contact, occasional outdoor activities, and a potential risk of exposure to odors, communicable diseases, and hazardous materials. The role is subject to high-stress environments, particularly during election cycles, and requires availability for on-call assignments during critical election periods.

Travis County employees play an essential role in maintaining business continuity of County operations and may be assigned to duties outside of their normal job functions, including emergency response, disaster recovery, or continuity efforts as needed. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. Essential functions, assigned duties, and overtime eligibility may vary based on operational needs and specific assignments.


Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. 

Location: 5501 Airport Blvd Austin, TX 78751

Department: County Clerk

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: bismarck.meza@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.