Elections Outreach Intern

The Election Outreach Intern supports the Auditor's Office Elections Division by assisting with nonpartisan voter education, community outreach, and election-support activities. The position provides a structured learning opportunity for a student interested in elections administration, public service, communications, civic engagement, or related fields.

The Intern will assist with community-event tabling, coordination with partner organizations, development and distribution of voter outreach materials, ballot drop box pickup support, and Election Day activities, as assigned. This position must maintain collaborative and courteous working relationships with County personnel, public agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, and the general public. All County employees work under the guidance of local, state, and federal regulations and must abide by County policies and procedures.

This position does not include direct ballot processing in the Elections Center, signature verification, ballot adjudication, ballot scanning, issuance of ballots, or voter-registration transactions in VoteWA. The internship schedule will be coordinated with the intern's academic requirements and may include variable hours, evening or weekend community events, and increased activity during election periods.

• Represent the Kittitas County Auditor's Office professionally at community events, campus events, public meetings, and other approved outreach opportunities.
• Assist Elections staff with tabling activities by setting up and taking down displays, distributing approved nonpartisan voter-information materials, and answering general questions using County-approved information.
• Provide general information regarding election dates, ballot return options, ballot drop box locations, accessible voting resources, voter registration deadlines, and available Elections services.
• Refer questions requiring voter-specific information, interpretation of election laws, VoteWA access, or voter-registration transactions to permanent Elections staff.
• Assist with outreach to community organizations, schools, civic groups, service providers, and other partners to identify opportunities for voter education and engagement.
• Help maintain outreach-event calendars, contact lists, supply inventories, attendance records, and activity summaries.

• Assist with researching, drafting, updating, organizing, and distributing County-approved voter outreach materials, including flyers, handouts, display materials, and digital content.
• Support the development of clear, accessible, and nonpartisan informational materials for diverse audiences.
• Assist with maintaining outreach supplies and ensuring materials distributed at public events are current and approved.
• Gather feedback from community events and outreach partners for review by Elections staff.

• Assist trained Elections staff with ballot drop box pickup activities, including preparation of supplies, transportation logistics, documentation, and other assigned support functions.
• Follow all applicable security, safety, documentation, and chain-of-custody procedures when supporting ballot drop box pickup operations.
• Assist with the delivery, setup, inventory, retrieval, and secure transport of outreach materials, voting supplies, signs, and equipment for approved events and Election Day activities.
• Travel within Kittitas County, including to Upper County locations and Central Washington University, as assigned.

• Assist Elections staff with nonpartisan voter outreach, public-information, logistical activities, and customer-service activities at Vote Center locations, as assigned.
• Assist Elections staff with public-information and logistical support related to accessible voting services; refer voters needing assistance with the Accessible Voting Unit to trained Elections staff.
• Help prepare event materials, signage, informational packets, and supplies for Election Day and voter-access activities.
• Assist with monitoring and restocking public-facing outreach materials at approved locations.
• Perform other election-related support duties that are consistent with the educational purpose and assigned scope of the internship.

This job description is a summary of the primary functions and expectations for this position. Additional department-related duties consistent with the internship's educational purpose, training plan, and assigned scope of work may be assigned.

• Current enrollment in, or recent acceptance to, a college, university, community college, technical program, or other approved educational program.
• Interest in public service, elections administration, communications, civic engagement, political science, public administration, or a related field.
• Ability to work a variable schedule that may include daytime, evening, and occasional weekend assignments, particularly during election periods.
• Ability to complete any internship-program requirements established by the participating educational institution and Kittitas County.
• A criminal history and background check will be performed on qualified candidates. Convictions may preclude candidates from placement in certain circumstances. Factors such as relevance to the position, age and time of the offense, seriousness and nature of the violation, and rehabilitation will be considered.
• Valid Washington State driver license, or ability to reliably travel to assigned outreach and event locations within Kittitas County.

• Ability to communicate clearly, courteously, and professionally with a diverse range of community members.
• Ability to provide neutral, nonpartisan public information and refrain from political advocacy while representing the Auditor's Office.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to speak with members of the public and prepare basic outreach materials.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, established procedures, and staff direction.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office programs, and ability to learn County-specific systems and processes as needed.
• Ability to organize materials, manage assigned tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain accurate records related to outreach events, supplies, and assigned activities.
• Ability to work independently on assigned projects while seeking guidance when needed.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to work effectively in office settings, public events, and community locations with frequent interruptions and varying activity levels.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in varying weather and daylight conditions, if assigned driving duties.

• Coursework or prior experience in public administration, political science, communications, marketing, community engagement, elections, government, or a related field.
• Experience working with the public, volunteering, participating in campus or community organizations, or supporting events.
• Experience creating flyers, presentations, social-media content, or other public-information materials.
• Familiarity with Kittitas County communities and local organizations.
• Bilingual communication skills or experience serving diverse populations.

Work is performed in an office environment and at public-facing community locations, including community events, schools, campuses, public meetings, and Election Day sites. The position may require sustained posture in a seated position, prolonged computer operation, use of standard office equipment, and frequent interaction with the public.

The position requires the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, ascend and descend stairs, grasp, and reach with arms and hands. The employee must be able to lift, pull, push, and/or carry outreach materials, signs, event supplies, and voting supplies up to 25 pounds, or more with assistance.

Travel within Kittitas County may be required for outreach events, ballot drop box pickup support, Election Day activities, meetings, and training opportunities. Safety regulations and County policies must be followed at all times.

The work schedule is generally maintained during normal office hours but may include variation, such as early morning, evening, extended, or weekend shifts during election periods and community events. Regular attendance and punctuality are required.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.