Election team seeking key officer

The council’s election team is looking to recruit a key member of staff as it heads into another significant year for voters.

The centrepiece event is a UK General Election in the spring of 2015, but other smaller elections are also scheduled. The team is seeking a Count Venue Officer, a role vital to the delivery of a successful count event at the end of any election period. This role operates in addition to any post already held within the council.

Although it’s not a separate salaried position, and like all roles in the election team is performed alongside your substantive one, payment will be in the form of a fee. Any applicant must have the agreement of their own service and the ability to be flexible and work outside of normal hours occasionally, particularly close to election time.

Good organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to work to deadlines. Calmness and a sense of humour under pressure are also desirable.

As well as the various elections due to take place over the next few years, the election team also runs a number of projects to encourage greater electoral participation. It has set up schools elections in Aberdeenshire to get young people interested in democracy and pilot elections to increase representation on community councils.

Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Colin Mackenzie, said: “We’re looking for someone already employed by the council who wants to get involved in organising and running elections locally.

“It would probably suit someone who has some understanding of elections already, is happy to take responsibility and can be flexible in delivering a smooth running count event for the whole Aberdeenshire Council area.

“Being involved in the work of the elections team can be a very exciting experience, particularly at an election count with its high profile and resultant media focus, and it’s really important we get someone who’s interested in the election process and isn’t afraid to work hard to deliver excellent results.”

The post could be based anywhere in the Council area but will, for the most part, require regular working in the Aberdeen area in the period immediately before a major election.

Informal queries or requests for information about the Count Venue Officer post, including a job profile and person specification, should be sent to: elections@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

For more detailed queries, please call Elections Coordinator Allan Bell on (01224) 665119.

Applications for the post should be made through iGrasp – the closing date is November 14.