State Election Coordinator

Overview The USA TODAY NETWORK is seeking a State Election Coordinator to join our Election Results Operations team. This role leads the planning and execution of statewide election-night results collection, managing a distributed network of 100-150 stringers responsible for manually gathering official results in jurisdictions where data cannot be digitally collected. Coordinators are responsible for building and operating a reliable, high- coverage reporting system under tight deadlines and public scrutiny. This includes researching county-level election processes, validating reporting methods, recruiting and training stringers, and leading real-time operations on election night. This is a full-time, long-term role supporting both midterm and general election cycles. Responsibilities Research and validate state and county-level election reporting processes, identifying jurisdictions that require manual results collection. Build and manage a statewide network of 100-150 stringers, each assigned to specific jurisdictions requiring coverage. Develop staffing plans that ensure full coverage of assigned jurisdictions, including contingency planning for no-shows and gaps. Recruit, onboard, and train stringers using a standardized training program; contribute to improving training as needed. Produce pre-election deliverables including coverage plans, staffing models, risk assessments, and documentation of reporting processes. Establish and maintain working relationships with election officials to understand reporting timelines, access points, and potential risks. Lead election-night operations for the state, including: Monitoring stringer activity and coverage in real time Troubleshooting issues such as no-shows, delays, and technical problems Reassigning coverage and making rapid staffing decisions as needed Escalating system or data issues to central operations teams Maintain constant communication with the central election operations hub during live events. Manage and track stringer compensation through freelance payment system. Track stringer readiness, performance, and reliability to inform hiring decisions for future cycles. Requirements Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Strong understanding of U.S. election systems, including how results are reported at the county level. Experience managing distributed or contract-based teams in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments. Ability to independently make operational decisions and adjust plans in real time. Strong organizational skills, including tracking staffing, coverage, and operational readiness across a large geography. Excellent communication skills, especially in fast- moving, high-stakes situations. High level of judgment with a clear priority on accuracy and certainty over speed. Ability to work extended hours, including late nights on election days. Preferred Direct experience in election results operations (e.g., Edison or similar organizations). Background in logistics, field operations, political campaigns, or newsroom operations. Experience working with imperfect, inconsistent, or delayed data sources. What Success Looks Like Full coverage of all assigned jurisdictions with no gaps on election night Accurate and verified results reporting, prioritizing certainty over speed Rapid response to operational issues, including effective reassignment during no-shows A well-trained, reliable stringer network with strong retention across cycles Clear, consistent communication with central operations teams Application Instructions When you apply, don't limit your upload to a resume; show us what you've done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order: A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job and relevant journalism, data and operations experience. Your resume. An example or two of a project or strategy that you're proud of and had a hand in developing, leading, or completing. Please include a brief description of the work, your role and any relevant results. It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration. #Newsgnt #LI-NC1 #LI-Remote The annualized base salary for this role will range between $70,000 to $85,000. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.