In Douglas County, good jobs tend to go quickly. But there are a few professional jobs available that hardly anyone is seeking.

They pay between $46,592 and $61,339 for starters. They have benefits, there’s no long commute, and the hiring is this November — in the general election.

The jobs are that of county clerk, register of deeds, sheriff and treasurer. With the exception of treasurer, these seats have gone uncontested more often than not in recent decades.

This year’s election won’t be much different unless more candidates step forward by the filing deadline of noon June 10.

The last time more than one person ran for county clerk was 1984. In the case of the register of deeds, it’s been an even longer competitive drought: The last contested election was in 1972.

“I think from a public policy point of view, we’re better off if more people run for office,” said David Burress, a researcher at Kansas University’s Policy Research Institute. “It gets more information out, more discussion, more competition.”

So why aren’t people lining up around the courthouse to file their election paperwork? Some say it’s because these are thankless jobs.

“Why would they want to run?” asked Patty Jaimes, the longtime Republican county clerk who’s retiring this year. “The only thing people do know about elected officials is when something goes wrong and it’s covered by the media.”

A deputy in Jaimes’ office, Republican Marni Penrod, is the only person who’s filed to replace Jaimes. Penrod said she was surprised by the lack of challengers.

The filing fee — which ranges from $466 to $613 — is one component that might keep people away, Penrod said. She also cited the scrutiny of the election process and the cost of running a campaign, all with no guaranteed job at the end.

Then there’s the actual work to be done should the person be elected.

“It’s not a job you can walk into and say, ‘OK, I know everything there is to do on this job,'” said Douglas County Administrator Craig Weinaug. “The consequences of not knowing some of the things could be severe for the taxpayers. … These are not easy jobs.”

Sheriff Rick Trapp, who’s not running for re-election, estimates he works 60 hours a week. So far, the only person who has filed to replace him is his undersheriff, fellow Republican Ken McGovern.

It’s common to see incumbents such as Jaimes run unopposed or if there is a vacant seat, to see it filled by an employee within the office.

“If you have an incumbent in the position who has a history of doing a good job for the county, I would question whether somebody should apply merely because they don’t want to commute to Kansas City,” Weinaug said.

When Register of Deeds Sue Neustifter retired in mid-term in 2002 after winning seven previous elections without opposition, she recommended her deputy, Kay Pesnell, to finish her term.

Pesnell, a Democrat, is now running as an unelected incumbent. So far, no one is challenging her.

“I would not want to step into the office cold without having experience,” said Pesnell, who’s worked in the office 14 years. “Maybe that’s just me.”

At least one private citizen is taking the plunge this election year: Paula Gilchrist, social services director at the Salvation Army, 946 N.H., said she planned to run for treasurer. So far, she’s the only person running for one of these county offices who has never worked in the office.

“There are a lot of people who have good qualifications to serve in county government,” she said.