To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk/Recorder
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
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Accelerated Salary Step Advancement Request for Election Specialist II Position (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve an accelerated salary step advancement for Election Specialist II (Salary Range 376), Kiara Ford, in Budget Unit 140 from Salary Step "B" to Salary Step "E" effective the pay period immediately following approval. (4/5 Vote Required)
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3003 - Enhance employee recruitment and retention
DISCUSSION:
Staff request approval to adjust the salary for Kiara Ford, Election Specialist II, to $25.26 hourly, corresponding to Step E, Range 376.
Kiara Ford joined the Humboldt County Office of Elections on July 8, 2024, as an Election Specialist II. Bringing significant prior elections experience, Ms. Ford bypassed the standard learning curve for this specialized classification, demonstrating a mastery of election administration that allowed her to be fully operational during the high-pressure November 2024 Presidential Election cycle.
Since her appointment, Ms. Ford has transitioned into a de facto lead capacity, providing technical oversight and high-level mentorship to both permanent staff and hundreds of temporary Election Workers. Her ability to navigate complex California Elections Code requirements and ensure state-mandated compliance has been instrumental in maintaining the integrity of the county's democratic processes.
Ms. Ford's professional contributions are further enhanced by her completion of a Master of Science degree in May 2025. She has successfully leveraged this advanced academic background to implement data-driven process improvements and technical workflows that have increased the ef...
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