Freelance Model Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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.
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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.
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