Elections Project Manager & Consultant (SEMS)

Location: Mississippi (Onsite)
Contract Start Date: January 1, 2027
Contract Duration: Renewed annually
Experience Required: 10+ years of relevant experience
Education: Bachelor s degree or higher

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate software development activities for the Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS).

• Coordinate and oversee third-party development vendors, tracking project progress, deliverables, and timelines.

• Ensure system enhancements and development activities align with agency requirements and operational needs.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Secretary of State s Office, county election officials, and the development vendor.

• Document, communicate, track, and escalate system issues and enhancement requests through resolution.

• Provide technical consultation and support to county election officials regarding SEMS functionality, system utilization, and troubleshooting.

• Assist in developing, coordinating, and delivering training to county officials on SEMS operations, system features, and applicable election processes.

• Use agency-approved guidance and materials when assisting county personnel.

• Refer policy, procedural, and legal questions to authorized agency personnel or official sources; do not independently interpret or advise on election policy or law.

• Support software development lifecycle (SDLC), quality assurance, user acceptance testing (UAT), database management, systems integration, and software release activities as applicable.

• Coordinate technical issue resolution and communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

• Maintain detailed timesheets to support grant-funding documentation, recordkeeping, and audits.

• Report directly to the Assistant Secretary of State for Elections or their designee.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in software application project management, technical coordination, or related areas.

• Experience coordinating third-party software vendors and managing technology deliverables.

• Demonstrated ability to track, document, and resolve technical issues.

• Familiarity with Mississippi election administration, Mississippi county election processes and procedures, and SEMS is required.

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

• Experience communicating with technical teams, government stakeholders, and end users.

• Ability to provide system consultation, user support, and training to government personnel or other users.

Preferred Qualifications

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

• Familiarity with application security best practices, including access controls, data protection, vulnerability management, and security risk remediation.

• Knowledge of SDLC methodologies, quality assurance, UAT, database management, systems integration, and software change and release management.

• Experience coordinating technology projects involving state or local government agencies.

• Experience managing third-party software vendors and providing technical consultation or training to government personnel.

• Familiarity with SEMS or comparable election management applications.

Work Schedule and Contract Details

• Part-time consulting engagement with a maximum of 1,040 compensated hours per calendar year.

• Weekly schedule and onsite arrangements will be mutually agreed upon following contractor selection and before contract award.

• Work hours may be adjusted on election days, with the source schedule indicating 7:00 AM 9:00 PM CST on election days.

• Travel may be required occasionally, as needed.

• Detailed timesheets are required for accurate tracking and auditing of federal grant and state general fund expenditures.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate combines strong software project management and vendor coordination skills with knowledge of Mississippi election operations. They should be comfortable managing technical issues, supporting county election officials, coordinating training, and working with government stakeholders to ensure SEMS remains effective and reliable.