Elections Project Manager

Job Title: Elections Project Manager
Job Location: Jackson, MS (Onsite)
Position Type: Contract (This is a 20hr/week assignment)

Primary Skills: Software application project management, third-party vendor coordination, technical issue resolution, elections systems and support technical coordination, county consultation and support, system issue documentation and tracking, training delivery, user support, project progress monitoring, stakeholder communication Election management systems, governmental information systems, enterprise applications, application security best practices (secure software development, vulnerability management, access controls, data protection, risk remediation), software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, quality assurance, user acceptance testing (UAT), database management, systems integration, software change and release management, Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS), state or local government technology project coordination, technical consultation and training to governmental personnel

The contractor will provide elections-oriented project management, elections systems and support technical coordination, and county consultation and support services for the Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS). This position will be responsible for overseeing all SEMS development activities, coordinating and managing the third-party development vendor, monitoring project progress, and ensuring that development activities, enhancements, and deliverables align with agency requirements and operational needs. The contractor will also serve as a primary liaison between the agency, county election officials, and the development vendor, including documenting, communicating, tracking, and escalating system issues or enhancement requests submitted by the agency or counties and coordinating with the vendor to ensure timely and effective resolution. The contractor will provide consultation and assistance to county election officials regarding SEMS functionality, utilization, troubleshooting, and related inquiries. This contractual position will operate within the Elections Division and report directly to the Assistant Secretary of State for Elections or their designee. Total compensated hours shall not exceed 1,040 hours per calendar year, regardless of the agreed-upon weekly schedule or work arrangement. Funding for this position will consist of a combination of federal grant funds and state general funds; the position will be required to provide detailed time sheets for accurate record keeping and auditing.

Technical

• Oversee all SEMS development activities, coordinating and managing the third-party development vendor.

• Monitor project progress and ensure development activities, enhancements, and deliverables align with agency requirements and operational needs.

• Serve as a primary liaison between the agency, county election officials, and the development vendor.

• Document, communicate, track, and escalate system issues or enhancement requests submitted by the agency or counties and coordinate with the vendor to ensure timely and effective resolution.

• Assist with the development, coordination, and delivery of training to counties concerning SEMS operations, system features, and other relevant or applicable election procedures and processes, utilizing agency-approved guidance and materials.
  Non-Technical

• Provide consultation and assistance to county election officials regarding SEMS functionality, utilization, troubleshooting, and related inquiries.

• Serve as an intermediary by referring inquiries regarding elections-related policy, procedural, or legal interpretations to appropriate authorized agency personnel or other official sources and communicating the guidance received.

• Provide detailed time sheets for accurate record keeping and auditing.

• Relevant experience in software application project management

• Third-party vendor coordination

• Technical issue resolution

• Familiarity with Mississippi election administration, Mississippi county election processes and procedures, and the Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS)

• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate software development activities

• Document and track technical issues through resolution

• Communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders

• Experience providing system consultation, user support, and training to government personnel or other end users

• Experience with election management systems, governmental information systems, or comparable enterprise applications

• Familiarity with application security best practices, including secure software development, vulnerability management, access controls, data protection, and identification and remediation of security risks

• Experience with software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, quality assurance, user acceptance testing (UAT), database management, systems integration, and software change and release management

• Experience with the Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS) or comparable election management applications

• Familiarity with Mississippi election administration, county election operations, and applicable election procedures

• Prior experience coordinating technology projects involving state or local government agencies

• Managing third-party software vendors

• Providing technical consultation and training to governmental personnel

• 10+ Years of Experience

• Bachelor's or Higher