Election job descriptions

We are recruiting staff for the following paid roles at elections taking place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

It is worth noting that most staff will be allocated to one role only.

Read the descriptions in full to help you decide which job roles you would like to apply for, then complete our application form.

Senior Presiding/Presiding Officer - Thursday 2 May 2024

Read all the information about the Presiding Officer role:

• The Senior Presiding Officer/Presiding Officer is in charge of the polling station and the Poll Clerks who work there. On election day polling station staff are required to work from 6.15am until after 10pm
• Senior Presiding Officer/Presiding Officers will also need to visit their polling stations in advance and ensure arrangements have been made to access the venue.
• They must have a sound knowledge of all voting procedures and have previous experience of working as a Poll Clerk
• They answer any questions from electors and manage the attendance of those entitled to be present such as; candidates, agents and Electoral Commission representatives
• The Senior Presiding Officer/Presiding Officer is in charge of all paperwork, and the designated PO will also have to collect materials from Electoral Services prior to polling day and return the ballot boxes with their ballot papers at close of poll
• If you wish to be considered for appointment as a Senior Presiding Officer/Presiding Officer you will usually need to have experience of working as a Poll Clerk on at least two previous elections
• Training for polling station staff is compulsory. It will normally take place online, but may require attendance at the Town Hall during the working day or early evening. Non-attendance or completion of the relevant training will result in appointments being withdrawn

Payment fees for staff in 2024 have not yet been finalised, however we expect it to be in line with previous years. In May 2022, the fee for Presiding Officers was £445.50 before tax. Exact fees will be confirmed on appointment.

Poll Clerk - Thursday 2 May 2024

Read all the information about the Poll Clerk role:

• Poll Clerks assist voters in all aspects of the conduct of the ballot in each polling station and make sure that the proper procedure for voting is followed
• They will help set up the polling station and tidy up after the close of poll and are required to work from 6.15am until after 10pm. They are responsible for checking that all electors are eligible to vote, marking the register of electors and issuing ballot papers
• Poll Clerks must understand all procedures for voting and be able to deal with queries. They work in teams of two or three depending on the size of the station
• Staff must be able to follow instructions, communicate with the public effectively, and have attention to detail
• Training for polling station staff is compulsory. It will normally take place online, but may require attendance at the Town Hall during the working day or early evening. Non-attendance or completion of the relevant training will result in appointments being withdrawn

Payment fees for staff in 2024 have not yet been finalised, however we expect it to be in line with previous years. In May 2022, the fee for Poll Clerks was £305.50 before tax. Exact fees will be confirmed on appointment.

Reserve Poll Clerk - Thursday 2 May 2024

If you apply after all poll clerk jobs have been allocated, you may be appointed as a reserve. As a reserve poll clerk, you will need to attend training and be ready to work at any polling station in the borough if required if called upon. This could be as late as polling day itself, so you will need to be available to work on the day.

Count Assistants

This will include various sessions between Thursday 2 May 2024 and Monday 6 May 2024

• Count Assistants work in teams, first counting the ballot papers to verify that the totals match the expected numbers from the ballot paper accounts; and secondly sorting the ballot papers into candidates
• Staff will sort and count ballot papers quickly but accurately whilst under pressure and under close scrutiny by agents, and will re-count ballot papers as required
• Staff must have good numeric skills along with visual accuracy and attention to detail
• The specific dates and times of the count will differ depending on whether these elections are combined with a general election. If it is not combined, then the count will be during the day, if it’s combined there will be an overnight count at close of poll
• If you are willing to work in a polling station between 6.15am and 10pm and then join the overnight count after the close of poll please tick the appropriate boxes on the application form.  However our intention will be to use different staff if there is an overnight count

Payment fees for staff in 2024 have not yet been finalised. We anticipate the day rate will be from around £20 per hour, and the night rate from around £30 per hour. Exact fees will be confirmed on appointment.

Postal Vote Opener

This will include multiple sessions between Monday 22 April to Thursday 2 May 2024.

• You will work on various days and times before the election
• Most sessions take place during the working day (Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm) so you must be available during these hours
• At these sessions, staff manually open each envelope to check the enclosed papers are correct and that the Postal Vote Statement contains the elector’s signature and date of birth, before other staff scan every postal vote statement to match against this personal information already held on record
• The finishing time of each session will depend on the number of Postal Packs returned
• Priority will be given to those who can attend all / most sessions

Payment fees for staff in 2024 have not yet been finalised, however we expect it to be in line with previous years. Exact fees will be confirmed on appointment.

Support Staff (Richmond Only)

Read all the information about the Support Staff role:

• You will be required to help with various manual handling and administrative tasks at the count venue on election night
• Tasks will include moving ballot boxes, checking unused ballot papers, sorting returned polling station stationery and equipment and official election documentation for secure storage
• Specific arrangements with regards to location and timings will be provided on appointment
• Payment will be made for the hours to worked and arrangements must be in place to get home at whatever time you are released from duty
• No prior experience is required and training will be given on the night. Standby staff will be be working outside (regardless of the weather conditions), they will need to be physically fit (with the ability to carry heavy loads and standing for long periods of time) and able to follow instructions precisely