With elections taking place in May, Conservative led Wiltshire Council is asking for people to put themselves forward to carry out a number of paid roles, and help support the local democratic process.
A number of elections are taking place on 6 May, including unitary, town and parish and Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as 10 neighbourhood plan referendums.
Wiltshire Council has a number of roles available for people to carry out from 6 - 10 May. The elections, verification and count are taking place over five days, which takes into account the restrictions brought on by the pandemic.
There will be polling stations up and down the county, with three count venues at the Olympiad in Chippenham, County Hall in Trowbridge, and Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury.
The roles available include Poll Clerk, which people will be paid £144 plus an extra £20 for each extra poll taking place in the polling station you are working in. Another role is a Presiding Officer, and people will be paid £240 plus an extra £30 for each extra poll taking place in the polling station they are working in. Others roles include postal vote opening and general support staff.
Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Council's Returning Officer, said:
We are always grateful for support during a busy election period, and even though the circumstances are a little different to normal this time around, we are sure people will still want to get involved.
Working during elections is always a fun and busy experience, and measures will be in place to keep everyone as safe as possible.
People in the role of Presiding Officer will manage a small team of poll clerks, maintain secrecy of the ballot and liaise appropriately with people including tellers, polling station inspectors and party agents. They will be paid £240 plus an extra £30 for each extra poll taking place in the polling station you are working in.
- They must have previous experience as a presiding officer or been a Poll Clerk on at least two occasions;
- The hours of poll are 7am - 10pm, and the Presiding Officer must arrive no later than 6:15am to set up polling station and take ballot box to designated count centre;
- They cannot leave the polling station
- They should be please be prepared and comfortable to wear a mask for 15 hours and adhere to social distancing.
The Poll Clerk works under the Presiding Officers, and they assist with keeping the polling station clean and tidy, hand out ballot papers and answer electors' questions. You will be paid £144 plus an extra £20 for each extra poll taking place in the polling station you are working in.
- The hours of poll are 7am - 10pm on 6 May, and the Poll Clerk must arrive no later than 6:15am to assist the Presiding Officer with the setting up of the polling station and also assist with close of poll at 10pm
- They cannot leave the polling station
- They should be prepared and comfortable to wear a mask for 15 hours and adhere to social distancing.
Anyone interested should visit the election jobs page for more information on the roles and to express their interest.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Wiltshire Council wants as many as people to vote by post in May's elections, as this is the most safest and convenient way. For more information, people should visit the 2021 elections page.
