Employment opportunities at elections

Details of the job

Post title: Presiding Officer
Hours: Variable
Location: Various locations within WNC District
Reports to: Polling Station Inspector / Elections Manager
Service area: Electoral Services – Corporate Services
Mileage Allowance: Yes

Purpose of the job

The role of the polling station staff is to ensure that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere. Polling Stations are open from 7 am until 10 pm.

On polling day, staff are required to arrive at the polling station sufficiently early to set up the equipment in time for opening. In order to maintain the secrecy of the vote and safeguard the integrity of the process, staff should not leave the premises during polling hours. Presiding Officers will also have responsibility for supervising the work of the Poll Clerk(s)

Please note, to apply for this post you must have access to a vehicle (that has the appropriate level of business insurance cover) and a full driving licence.

Main accountabilities

Before polling day

• Attend and complete any training session and briefing provided by the Electoral Services office
• Visit the polling station to ensure polling day arrangements are in place
• Liaise with the key holder and plan for the opening and closing of your polling building. You should also visit your polling station in advance to ensure polling day arrangements are in place
• Contact your poll clerk(s), and any other Presiding Officer(s) appointed to the same polling place, at least a week before Polling Day
• Collect your ballot box(es) and equipment before polling day at your allocated time slot
• Ensure safekeeping of ballot box, ballot papers and associated equipment until polling day, in a secure environment

Polling day

• Transport ballot box and contents to polling station. Responsible for the conduct of the ballot in the polling station
• Responsible for setting up your polling stations and leaving the building in a neat and secure state
• Responsible for the management of your polling staff, assigning work to the polling station staff and ensuring that the correct procedure for voting is followed
• Ensure your polling stations open and close at the required times
• Ensuring the accurate delivery of the poll and account for all ballot papers
• Ensuring that voter identification is asked for and checked before ballot papers are issued
• Ensuring electors understand the new voter identification requirements including what constitutes an acceptable form of ID
• Ensuring electors are able to present their ID in private when requested
• Responsible for refusing a voter a ballot paper where no ID is presented; or you do not consider the ID to be a good likeness; or consider it to be a forgery
• Completion of the Ballot Paper Refusal list and the Voter ID Evaluation form
• Ensure that the polling station remains accessible to all voters. Supporting and aiding voters with disabilities. You may be required to highlight the use of special equipment or devices
• Comply with any instructions from the Returning Officer and their staff
• Deal with members of the public in a helpful, polite, and professional manner
• You must always ensure the secrecy and security of the ballot

Close of Poll

• Delivering the ballot box and all other equipment and sundries to the count venue promptly after the close of poll
• Completion of the ballot paper account and all other paperwork, including the ballot paper refusal list and voter ID evaluation form
• Supervise the dismantling of the polling station and ensure the building is returned to the condition it was found
• Account for all ballot papers, issued and un-issued

Further information

You will be working a 16-hour day, as a result you will be required to sign the Working Time Directive waiver for the period of employment. Polling station staff are not permitted to leave the premises during hours of poll so you must provide your own refreshments.

You may be required to perform additional duties not listed above which are appropriate and commensurate to your role and experience, ensuring the smooth running of the election process. Job descriptions can be amended at the organisations discretion to ensure service needs are met.

All staff will be required to sign an agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election.

Person specification

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• Experience in different types of elections such as Parliamentary, Local and/or PPFC would be desirable
• A basic understanding of the election process
• To have worked previously as a Poll Clerk on at least two occasions

Skills and abilities

• Ability to manage a small team of Polling Station staff and take overall charge of the Polling Station throughout the duration of the poll
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain procedures tailored to a variety of people
• High level of personal presentation and professional manner
• Good administration skills, attention detail and an ability to follow strict instructions
• A team player with a flexible attitude who has the ability to work calmly under pressure
• Professional and politically neutral manner
• Punctual and reliable
• Previous experience of team management would be considered an advantage in this role
• Ability to lift polling booths/ballot boxes during the set up/dismantling of the station, whilst following manual handling techniques

Other

• Must not have worked in support of a political party and/or candidate at the election, whether paid or unpaid. Poll Clerks must also refrain from signing any candidate’s nomination papers for this election or standing as a candidate themselves
• Must be able to attend and successfully complete the mandatory training session before the day of the poll
• Must not have been convicted of an offence under Electoral Legislation
• Acceptance of Waiving of Working Time Directive for period of employment
• Use of a car for this post is an essential criterion. You must have access to a vehicle that can securely carry two or more ballot boxes and potentially some ballot booths (dependent on the polling station venue). Vehicle must be appropriately insured
• Be aged 18 years or over
• Must be able to provide evidence of Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment

Details of the job

Post title: Poll Clerk
Hours: Variable
Location: Various
Reports to: Presiding Officer / Elections Manager
Service area: Electoral Services – Corporate Services
Mileage allowance: Yes

Purpose of the job

The role of the polling station staff is to ensure that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere. Polling Stations are open from 7.00 a.m. until 10.00 p.m. On polling day, staff are required to arrive at the polling station sufficiently early to set up the equipment in time for opening. In order to maintain the secrecy of the vote and safeguard the integrity of the process, staff should not leave the premises during polling hours. Poll Clerks assist the Presiding Officer in the conduct of the ballot in the polling stations.

Main accountabilities

• To liaise with the Presiding Officer prior to polling day
• To be at the polling station at least 30 minutes before opening
• Assist in preparing the polling station for the opening of poll: - Displaying signage, statutory notices and instructions to voters. This involves some lifting using manual handling techniques and working as part of a team
• Ask for and check voter identification before issuing ballot papers
• Ensuring electors understand the new voter identification requirements including what constitutes an acceptable form of ID
• Ensuring electors are able to present their ID in private when requested
• Check and mark electors’ electoral numbers in the register of electors and on the corresponding numbers lists
• Ensure that only one ballot paper is removed from the ballot book and passed to the Presiding Officer for issue
• You must always ensure the secrecy and security of the ballot
• Ensuring that all electors are treated impartially and with respect
• Complying with any instructions from the Presiding Officer/Polling Station Inspector/Returning Officer
• Answer voters queries in an impartial, friendly and business-like manner
• Ensure that the polling station remains accessible to all voters. Supporting and aiding voters with disabilities. You may be required to highlight the use of special equipment or devices
• Ensure that the polling station is kept neat and tidy throughout the duration of the poll
• Help in the dismantling of the polling station and ensuring that the premises are returned to state found following the Presiding Officers instructions

Further information

You will be working a 16-hour day, as a result you will be required to sign the Working Time Directive waiver for period of employment. Polling station staff are not permitted to leave the premises during hours of poll so you must provide your own refreshments.

You may be required to perform additional duties not listed above which are appropriate and commensurate to your role and experience, ensuring the smooth running of the election process. Job descriptions can be amended at the organisations discretion to ensure service needs are met.

All staff will be required to sign an agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election.

The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election.

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• To successfully undertake and complete the training session made available for this role
• Previous election experience or understanding of the election process would be considered an advantage

Skills and abilities

• Good communication skills
• Good personal presentation
• Good administration skills, accuracy and attention to detail
• A team player with a flexible attitude
• Punctual and reliable
• Able to assist in the set up/dismantling of the polling station. Following manual handling guidance
• Diplomacy and tact when working with members of the public
• Ability to remain politically neutral

Other

• Must not have worked in support of a political party and/or candidate at the election, whether paid or unpaid. Poll Clerks must also refrain from signing any candidate’s nomination papers for this election or standing as a candidate themselves
• Ability to work flexibly, including unsociable hours
• Must not have been convicted of an offence under Electoral Legislation
• Acceptance and adherence to the terms of the Statement of Secrecy
• Be aged 18 years or over
• Acceptance of waiving of the Working Time Directive for the period of employment
• Must be able to provide evidence of Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment

Details of the job

Post title: Verification and Count Supervisor
Hours: Variable
Location: Count Centre – To be determined
Reports to: Count Manager / Elections Manager
Service area: Electoral Services

Purpose of the job

As a supervisor, you will be leading a team to verify, sort and count ballot papers quickly but accurately whilst working under pressure and under observation of candidates and agents.

Main accountabilities

• allocate the contents of ballot boxes to Verification and Count Assistants
• supervise the verification and counting of the number of ballot papers
• agree figures with the central table
• supervise the re-counting of the contents (if required)
• supervise the division of ballot papers into votes for individual candidates and the counting of ballots using the method designated by the Returning Officer
• flick bundles of sorted votes to the candidates and agents, doubling checking (if requested to do so)
• advise figures to the central accountant’s table
• supervise and conduct a recount if required
• adjudicate on doubtful ballot papers, ensuring that they are accounted for using the method designated by the Returning Officer
• motivating your team to remain positive, efficient and accurate
• attend the brief of the Returning Officer (or delegated officer) on the count method to be used prior to the commencement of the count

Further information

• act impartially and politically neutral at all times and respect the confidentiality of material being handled
• have read and agreed to the terms of the Statement of Secrecy
• use of any electronic device within the count hall is strictly prohibited. Mobile phones, tablets, e-readers etc should be placed securely into a bag or in a pocket on your person. You may use your mobile phone outside of the count hall on your designated break. Please be mindful of social media commentary and the agreements regarding maintaining the secrecy of the ballot
• refrain from engaging in conversations with candidates, agents, councillors or guests

You may be required to perform additional duties not listed above which are appropriate and commensurate to your role and experience, ensuring the smooth running of the election process. Job descriptions can be amended at the organisations discretion to ensure service needs are met.

The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election. All staff will be required to sign an agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• experience in different types of elections such as Parliamentary, Local and/or PPFC would be desirable
• a basic understanding of the election process
• to have worked previously as a Verification and Count Assistant on at least two occasions

Skills and abilities

• good communication skills and ability to follow strict instructions
• excellent numeracy skills, accuracy and attention to detail
• the ability to handle and count large volumes of confidential ballot papers whilst monitoring the a number of other activities
• the ability to work quickly, with accuracy whilst work is observed by candidates and their agents, official observers and the press
• ability to follow strict instructions as directed by the Returning Officer and their delegated officers
• good personal presentation and commitment to customer care
• can work calmly under pressure
• be able to work as part of a team and have a flexible attitude

Other

• must not have worked in support of a political party and/or candidate at the election, whether paid or unpaid. Verification and Count staff must also refrain from signing any candidate’s nomination papers for this election or standing as a candidate themselves
• must not have been convicted of an offence under Electoral Legislation
• accept and sign their appointment letter that contains the Acceptance of Waiving of Working Time Directive for the period of this employment
• acceptance and adherence to the terms of the Statement of Secrecy
• be aged 18 years or over
• must be able to provide evidence of Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment

Details of the job

Post title: Verification and Count Assistant
Hours: Variable – Daytime/Evenings and Weekends
Location: Count Venue – TBC
Reports to: Count/Verification Supervisor / Elections Manager
Service area: Electoral Services – Corporate Services

Purpose of the job

The purpose of the Verification and Count Teams is to open ballot boxes, ensure the contents agree with the ballot paper accounts and then count the votes for each candidate in the election. The role of the Verification and Count Assistant is not difficult, but duties are undertaken in a pressurised environment and the greatest care must be taken to ensure that mistakes are not made.

Main accountabilities

Verification and Count Assistants will work in teams of varying sizes as designated by the Returning Officer. The verification and subsequent count(s) are two processes; depending on the size and nature of the election they can occur over several days. As directed by the Supervisor, Verification and Count Assistants will:

• attend the briefing session before the commencement of the count. (This is undertaken at the venue, prior to the start of the count)
• to verify, sort and count the contents of ballot boxes as instructed by the Count Supervisor
• conduct all counts and recounts in accordance with the counting method you will be instructed to use
• alert the Count Supervisor to any doubtful ballot papers

Further information

• act impartially at all times and respect the confidentiality of material being handled
• have read and agreed to the terms of the Statement of Secrecy
• use of any electronic device within the count hall is strictly prohibited. Mobile phones, tablets, e-readers etc should be placed securely into a bag or in a pocket on your person. You may use your mobile phone outside of the count hall on your designated break. Please be mindful of social media commentary and the agreements regarding maintaining the secrecy of the ballot
• refrain from engaging in conversations with candidates, agents, councillors or guests

The length of time a verification or count takes will be dependent on a number of factors. For example, the electorate turnout, the size and nature of the election and whether re-counts are required. You must be prepared to stay for as long as it takes to conclude the count/verification and may wish to bring your own refreshments.

Normally, the initial verification will commence immediately after the polls are closed at 10pm and the ballot boxes are received at the count centre. Therefore, the initial verification/count will commence late into the evening and potentially will not finish until the early hours of the following morning. Subsequent counts may take place during normal working hours or over weekends.

You may be required to perform additional duties not listed above which are appropriate and commensurate to your role and experience, ensuring the smooth running of the election process. Job descriptions can be amended at the organisations discretion to ensure service needs are met.

The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election. All staff will be required to sign an agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• no previous experience required. However previous experience of working at electoral counts would be considered an advantage

Skills and abilities

• good communication skills and ability to follow strict instructions
• basic numeracy and literacy skills
• the ability to work quickly, with accuracy and with attention to detail
• ability to follow instructions
• punctual and reliable and with a flexible attitude
• can work calmly under pressure
• be able to work as part of a team

Other

• must not have worked in support of a political party and/or candidate at the election, whether paid or unpaid. Verification and Count staff must also refrain from signing any candidate’s nomination papers for this election or standing as a candidate themselves
• ability to work flexibly, including unsociable hours
• be willing to attend training/briefing sessions as required. (Normally conducted at the count centre just prior to the count/verification commencing)
• must not have been convicted of an offence under Electoral Legislation
• acceptance and adherence to the terms of the Statement of Secrecy
• accept and sign their appointment letter that contains the Acceptance of Waiving of Working Time Directive for the period of this employment
• be aged 18 years or over
• must be able to provide evidence of Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment