Election Education Intern (Community Service Aide II)

Full Job Description

The City Auditor’s Office is seeking two interns who are curious, analytical, and interested in learning about the work of Portland City Elections.

This position will be critical in engaging with voters and educating the public on ranked choice voting, candidates, campaigns, and other areas of focus within City Elections.

The position will last 12 weeks at 40 hours per week during late June, July, August and early September.

The Auditor is independent of City Council and accountable only to the public.

The Auditor’s 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 50 staff members working in seven divisions.

Interns will work alongside five elections staff in City Elections and report to the Elections Education Supervisor.

City Elections oversees elections processes such as required voter education on ranked choice voting, qualification to the ballot for candidates and petitions, and election results certification to City Council.

City Elections also carries out services under the umbrella of campaign finance and lobbying regulations, including investigations and enforcement procedures.

City Elections 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 live events or community meetings, some of which will happen outside of traditional work hours;
• Assisting with logistics and organizing to prepare for voter education events and material;
• Shadowing local elections 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 individual’s academic interests;
• Applying a racial equity lens to projects and tasks and centering historically underserved communities in elections work;
• Exercising strong non-partisan decision-making 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 City Elections ;
• Researching state and local public policies, guidance, and leading practices;
• Working collaboratively with other City Offices, elected officials, community organizations, 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 non-partisan voter and community education including strict adherence to all Auditor’s 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 Auditor’s 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 applicants with experience working, learning, or volunteering with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply.

Requirements

TO QUALIFY/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must be:

• Enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing at an accredited college or university; OR
• Completed an associate or bachelor’s 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 or government 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.

2. 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 decision-making;
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 don’t feel you have had the opportunity for this type of engagement yet, you can describe an educational experience related to governance or explain your interest in 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 don’t 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 Portland City Elections.

Qualifications

Applicants must submit their resume and question answers through the City of Portland's 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: 3/9 – 3/30

Applications reviewed: Week of March 30

Interview candidates: Week of April 13

Job offer: Week of April 20

Tentative starting date: 6/29 (Date is negotiable on a case-by-case basis)

Additional Information

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 Portland's benefits here: Benefits Information | The City of Portland, Oregon.

City Sick Time: Community Service Aides are eligible for paid sick time under Oregon’s Sick Time law. The following link provides an overview of City Sick Time:BHR-18.01 - City Protected Sick Time for City Casual Employees | Portland.gov.

Work status: Non-citizen 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 Auditor’s Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule of in-person and remote work. Interns will also be required to attend a specified amount of offsite community engagement events.

Veteran’s preference: If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 and/or Veteran's Administration letter stating your disability to your profile (if applicable), as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran.

You must request Veteran's Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for.

Veteran's 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 source of income.

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 Andrew.Bryans@portlandoregon.gov.

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 Andrew.Bryans@portlandoregon.gov.

For more information about the Auditor’s Office: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/