Chief, Departmental Operations-Registrar of Voters

The Position:

The Chief, Departmental Operations-Registrar of Voters, is an unclassified management position reporting directly to the Registrar of Voters (Director). The Chief oversees major operational functions of the Department’s Election Services Division and is responsible for directing, coordinating, and evaluating all operational functions that support the successful administration of countywide elections. This role also leads the planning and execution of vote center, warehouse, and field operations, oversees large-scale poll worker programs, and ensures all logistical, financial, and compliance requirements are met with the highest standards of integrity and efficiency.

Specific duties include the following:

• Provides strategic leadership for the planning, organization, and execution of vote center, warehouse, and field operations, including the recruitment, onboarding, and payroll processing of approximately 3,000 poll workers.

• Oversees specialized poll worker programs, including high school, college, and bilingual recruitment initiatives, ensuring strong engagement and adequate staffing across all election needs.

• Develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive training programs for approximately 3,000 poll workers, and collaborates on the development, testing, and deployment of electronic poll book voter flow modeling and training scenarios.

• Directs logistics and warehouse operations supporting more than 400 staff, including the Ballot Drop Box program; assembly, distribution, and retrieval of vote center supplies; maintenance and testing of ballot-marking devices; and all aspects of supply procurement, inventory and asset management, equipment deployment, and secure ballot transport.

• Manages vendor contracts and ensure adherence to financial controls, chain-of-custody protocols, audit standards, and all applicable regulatory requirements.

• Oversees post-election processes such as closeout, audits, record retention, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, security, and service delivery.

• Provides leadership, supervision, and performance management for staff responsible for poll worker recruitment, training, and logistics/warehouse operations; and maintain effective coordination with both internal partners and external stakeholders.

Click here to view a detailed announcement including the duties and requirements of this position.

The Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is an accomplished operational leader with strong decision making skills and extensive experience managing complex, high-visibility public-sector programs. The candidate will bring expertise in election operations, along with the ability to guide major initiatives, strengthen internal processes, and support the Registrar of Voters in delivering secure, accurate, and efficient election services. Experience with operational systems implementation, process improvement, and familiarity with election administration practices, technologies, and applicable federal and California election laws is highly desirable.

Key Competencies and Experience:

• Ability to build consensus and maintain effective long-term working relationships with internal teams, external partners, stakeholders, and community organizations.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex operational information clearly and work effectively with diverse audiences using diplomacy and tact.

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities, including integrating data from multiple sources to make informed operational decisions and recommendations.

• Skilled in collaboration and coordination with key stakeholder groups, including political jurisdictions, community organizations, and oversight entities.

• Strong judgment and situational awareness, including understanding potential political or community impacts of operational decisions.

• Knowledge of current technologies, tools, and trends relevant to election administration, operational management, and voting systems.

Minimum Qualifications:

Five years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the classification which must include two years of management or supervision, AND a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a certified foreign studies equivalency. OR a combination of education and/or experience as stated above.

Notes: A master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Qualifying experience will include CAO Group Analyst or Project Manager experience that involves leading projects.

Application Process And Recruitment Schedule

1.   Click here to apply

2. Attach your résumé and cover letter.

3. Attach a copy of your college degree, final transcripts or foreign studies equivalency certificate (if education was obtained outside of the U.S.)

Key Dates:

• Resume Review: Week of June 22, 2026

• Interviews: Week of July 6, 2026

• Expected Start Date: Month of August 2026