The Department of Elections is searching for energetic and resourceful professionals who like to "get stuff done". The Language Services & Community Engagement Specialist position in the Elections Department combines an exciting, fast paced environment with the opportunity to cultivate talents and apply a variety of skills. The ideal candidate will thrive in an innovative, fast-paced environment and will not hesitate to roll up both sleeves, work hard, have fun, and get the job done.
 
The Language Services and Community Engagement Program is recruiting Language Access and Outreach Coordinators who will support the program for the Russian and Somali languages.  These individuals must be able to read, write, understand and speak Russian or Somali at the language proficiency testing level used by the Department. This position provides bilingual assistance, translation, and community outreach support.  It also conducts glossary and vocabulary research and provides administrative support to other election work groups as needed.
 
Who We Are: King County Elections (KCE) manages voter registration and elections for more than 1.4 million voters in King County and is the largest vote-by-mail county in the United States. KCE's mission is to conduct accessible, secure and accurate elections. As a leader in providing inclusive elections, KCE is focused on three key priorities – (1) actively identifying and working to remove barriers to voting at both the individual and community level, (2) strengthening relationships with community and governmental partners, and (3) creating a culture of professional growth and development, openness and inclusion. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx.
 
WHO MAY APPLY:  This position is open to the general public and all King County employees.
 
WORK LOCATION: The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

WORK SCHEDULE:  The standard workweek for this full-time position is Monday through Friday, 35 hours per week.  We require the flexibility to work additional hours during peak periods of the election cycle.  This position is non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  A resume and cover letter are required and should be attached before submitting your application.  The cover letter should describe how your skills and experience meet or exceed the requirements of the job.  Applications without the required materials may not be considered for this position.
 

Translation:

• Translate and/or proof election-related materials from English to Russian or English to Somali, including but not limited to: letters, general correspondence, web, notice of elections, ballots, and voters' pamphlet including candidate statements and ballot measures. 
• Review, edit and proofread all translated documents produced by translation vendors and others, for accuracy, clarity, and consistency. 
• Provide oversight of temporary translators and language counterparts which includes distribution of workload, providing direction and training, and monitor the quality and completion of work in order to meet tight deadlines. 
• Improve work processes, address quality control issues, and document procedures.
• Research and summarize specialized or technical information from varied sources. This may require selecting the most appropriate material and the use of spreadsheets and customized database applications.

• Support the work of Voter Education Grantees, including regular check-in meetings, providing presentation on voter registration and voter education, event planning, and translation.
• Participate in the review and implementation processes of the Voter Education Fund. 
• Provide voter education and voter registration support to community partners and assist in managing Voter Education Fund
• Coordinate initiatives and participate in outreach events designed to promote the organization, its resources and services to the community. 
• Provide presentations and trainings to voters and community partners on election related topics in English and Russian or English and Somali. 
• Collaborate on community research project to improve voter education and outreach.

• Provide bilingual assistance to the public in a professional setting to facilitate communications across language and cultural barriers, specifically answering inquiries from Russian or Somali language voters. 
• Handle sensitive and/or potentially challenging customer service situations in Russian or Somali and English. 
• Provide back up support to Elections Voter Services Division, which may include providing customer service to voters, processing voter registrations or explaining election procedures, guidelines and regulations.
• Provide established policies, procedures, codes, regulations, and other relevant sources, in English and Russian or English and Somali, to internal and/or external customers in writing, in-person or by telephone. Research and resolve questions, problems, or inquiries from voters, staff, public and/or stakeholders.

• Experience and skill in translation of documents from English to Russian or English to Somali, including the translation of technical documents. 
• High level of language proficiency to include interpreting, translation, reading, writing and speaking in both English and Russian or English and Somali. (Candidates will be tested to determine translation skills and language proficiency.) 
• Experience working with community and nonprofit organizations. 
• Office and computer skills including the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.  (Candidates will be tested on office and computer skills.) 
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines. 
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team. 
• Ability to organize work assignments, set priorities, and follow through on work assignments. 
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. 
• Ability to speak in public and deliver presentations to different audiences.

• Working knowledge of community organizations, agencies and groups serving Russian or Somali speaking communities in King County. 
• Elections knowledge and experience. 
• Working knowledge of InDesign and CAT tools such as TRADOS.

Travel to work locations throughout King County with limited or no public transportation services is required. A valid Washington State Driver's License is required to operate King County vehicles.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties in this position are performed in an office setting and may be required to lift at least 25 pounds.
 
UNION: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117, Professional and Technical and Administrative Employees union.  
 
CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Community Interpreter - Elections

Temporary Telecommuting Requirement 
The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
   
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  
   
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
            
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
   
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
 
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
 
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.