Positions
Returning Office
A returning office is established in each electoral division to conduct electoral events. This office is staffed by a Returning Officer, Election Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Trainer and IT Support. While the returning office is only open during the election period, the Returning Officer and Election Clerk are appointed well in advance of the election to perform pre-election preparation duties.
Returning Officers are responsible for the planning, preparation, and conduct of an election in their electoral division. One Returning Officer is appointed to each of the 87 electoral divisions, to ensure that all eligible electors living within that division are provided with an opportunity to vote.
Each Returning Officer establishes polling subdivisions, and makes arrangements for Election Day, advance and mobile polling locations. The Returning Officer recruits a team of returning office staff, including the Election Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Trainer, and IT Support to assist them in conducting the election. The Returning Officer is supported by a Returning Officer Liaison and Elections Alberta in performing their role and is required to follow all processes and procedures in accordance with the Election Act and the direction of Elections Alberta.
Election Clerks are appointed in each electoral division to provide election management support for the Returning Officer. The Election Clerk provides direct support and assistance to the Returning Officer in preparing for the election, selecting returning office staff, opening a returning office and conducting the election. Once an election is called, the Election Clerk leads the recruitment of election officers, as well as assists the Returning Officer in managing the duties of returning office staff.
The Election Clerk would perform the role of the Returning Officer, should the Returning Officer not be able to continue in their duties. The Election Clerk is required to follow all processes and procedures in accordance with the Election Act and the direction of Elections Alberta.
Administrative Assistants are hired by the Returning Officer in each electoral division to provide administrative support. The Administrative Assistant is the first contact to the public, candidates, and other election stakeholders. The Administrative Assistant is responsible for managing the in-office and mail-out Special Ballots for the electoral division. The Administrative Assistant performs data entry and prepares reports for the Returning Officer, Election Clerk, and the Trainer throughout the election period. The Administrative Assistant is required to follow all processes and procedures in accordance with the Election Act and the direction of Elections Alberta.
Trainers are hired in each electoral division to provide classroom training to all election officers. Trainers conduct in-person scenario-based training sessions to prepare election staff for their roles. The training provided includes the technology-based processes for advance polls, paper-based processes used on Election Day, and problem-solving techniques. Trainer’s plan and organize the training schedules for election officers and conduct training sessions in various locations throughout the electoral division. The Trainer uses the provided training materials supplied by Elections Alberta to assist in the delivery of training. Trainers also assist in the recruitment of election officers. The Trainer is required to follow all processes and procedures in accordance with the Election Act and the direction of Elections Alberta.
One IT Support Staff is hired for each electoral division to assist with technology in the returning office and at the advance polls. The IT Support Staff prepares and manages equipment including loading software and files on laptops. They ensure equipment is delivered and assembled at polling stations and returned after the electoral event concludes. The IT Support Staff supports the trainer in conducting training for election officers and provide troubleshooting support throughout the election period, especially during advance poll days. The IT Support staff is required to follow all processes and procedures in accordance with the Election Act and the direction of Elections Alberta.
IT Support Staff Job Description
Returning Office Staff Fee Schedule
Election Day
The workday begins with the set-up of the voting place at 8:00 am and concludes with the completion of an unofficial count after the close of voting. Election officers must be prepared to set up the voting place, provide back-up to other voting day staff, assist with the unofficial count, and complete additional tasks (as assigned).
A Site Supervisor is assigned to every Election Day voting location. The Site Supervisor is the most senior official at the voting place and is responsible for supervising all election staff and activities occurring in the voting place.
Responsibilities
- Preparing the voting locations for the election (inspecting the voting place; arranging access and receiving keys – in advance of Election Day);
- Supervising the voting place set-up;
- Supervising voting place activities and the quality of work completed by other election officers;
- Managing scrutineers;
- Tracking and distributing ballots to voting stations as required throughout Election Day;
- Providing assistance to electors;
- Maintaining the voting booths;
- Assigning tasks to election officers to best serve electors;
- Overseeing and directing election officers in the completion of the unofficial count;
- Compiling information from the unofficial count onto the Statement of Vote and reporting results to the Returning Officer;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Removing material from the voting place for return to the returning office;
- Performing the duties of other election officers as required; and
- Managing any media visits to the voting place.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 18 years old on Election Day;
- Have significant election experience;
- Have map reading skills;
- Have good communication skills;
- Have experience in dealing with the public; and
- Have experience in conflict resolution.
Remuneration
- $150 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $350 for Election Day duties
An Information Officer (IO) is responsible for assisting electors in determining if they are eligible to vote, if they are on the List of Electors, directing them to the correct voting station, and determining their voting area, if necessary.
Responsibilities
- Greeting electors and directing them to the Registration Station, or to the correct voting station;
- Conducting the unofficial count;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place; and
- Maintaining the premises where the voting place is located.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day;
- Have strong communications skills;
- Have map reading skills; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $75 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for Election Day duties
A Voting Officer is responsible for assisting electors with the voting process and for responding to elector questions. Voting Officers work independently to administer the voting process and maintain the voting record for an assigned area.
Responsibilities
- Setting up the voting station;
- Maintaining the ballots;
- Verifying an elector’s qualifications;
- Checking for authorized identification;
- Maintaining the voting record;
- Maintaining the Record of Electors Who Voted on Election Day;
- Administering the Declaration of Elector;
- Administering the Vouching Declaration;
- Administering necessary oaths, when required;
- Instructing electors in completing the ballot;
- Gathering Where to Vote cards, declarations and oaths;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Conducting the unofficial count;
- Returning the ballot box and supplies to the Returning Officer if the Site Supervisor cannot; and
- Instructing scrutineers of the proper procedures in the voting place.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $75 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for Election Day duties
A Registration Officer works as a team with the Record Clerk, and is responsible for registering electors using the Declaration of Elector process, assisting them in adding their names to the List of Electors, and issuing them a ballot.
Responsibilities
- Setting up the registration station;
- Maintaining the ballots;
- Determining an elector’s voting area;
- Verifying an elector’s qualifications;
- Checking for authorized identification;
- Administering the Declaration of Elector;
- Administering Vouching Declarations;
- Administering necessary oaths, when required
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Conducting the unofficial count;
- Returning the ballot box and supplies to the Returning Officer if the Site Supervisor cannot; and
- Instructing scrutineers of the proper procedures in the voting place.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day;
- Have legible printing;
- Have strong communications skills;
- Have map reading skills; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $75 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for Election Day duties
A Record Clerk works as a team with the Registration Officer, is responsible for maintaining the voting record by recording elector information and assisting the Registration Officer to facilitate the voting process at the registration station.
Responsibilities
- Maintaining the voting record;
- Gathering Where to Vote cards, declarations and oaths
- Maintaining the Record of Electors Who Voted on Election Day;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Assuming the responsibilities of the Voting Officer or Registration Officer, if necessary; and
- Assisting in the unofficial count.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $75 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for Election Day duties
A Ballot Box Clerk, is responsible for assisting electors in casting their ballots.
Responsibilities
- Prior to the start of voting, showing the ballot box is empty;
- Sealing the ballot box;
- Maintaining the ballot box;
- Assisting electors to deposit their ballots;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Conducting the unofficial count;
- Returning the ballot box and supplies to the returning office if the Site Supervisor cannot; and
- Instructing scrutineers of the proper procedures in the voting place.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $75 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for Election Day duties
A Site Monitor is responsible for making sure that electors go directly to the voting place and leave immediately after casting their ballot. This position is an as-required role, mainly at schools.
Qualifications
You must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible for this position.
Remuneration
You will be paid $15/hour.
Advance Voting
Advance voting place staff usually work all five advance voting days. The workday begins with the set up of the voting place one hour prior to its opening and concludes with the close of the voting place each day.
Anyone working an advance voting position must be prepared to set up the voting place, provide back-up to other voting day staff, and complete additional tasks (as assigned).
The Site Supervisor is the most senior election official in the voting place and is responsible for supervising all election staff and activities occurring in a voting place. The Site Supervisor is responsible to provide support to election officers using technology (laptops, electronic voting records, and tabulators).
Responsibilities
- Preparing the voting locations for the election (inspecting the voting place; arranging access and receiving keys – in advance of voting days);
- Supervising the voting place set-up;
- Supervising voting place activities and the quality of work completed by other election officers;
- Managing scrutineers;
- Providing assistance to electors;
- Maintaining the voting booths;
- Assigning tasks to election officers to best serve electors;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Securing materials between advance voting days, as required;
- Removing material from the voting place for return to the returning office;
- Performing the duties of other election officers as required; and
- Managing any media visits to the voting place.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 18 years old on Election Day;
- Have significant election experience;
- Have map reading skills;
- Have good communication skills;
- Have experience in dealing with the public; and
- Have experience in conflict resolution.
Remuneration
- $180 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $350 for each voting day
An Information Officer (IO) is responsible for assisting electors in determining if they are eligible to vote, if they are on the List of Electors, and directing them to an available voting station.
Responsibilities
- Greeting electors and directing them to a voting station;
- Assisting the Site Supervisor in any area required;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place; and
- Maintaining the premises where the voting place is located.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day;
- Have strong communications skills;
- Have map reading skills; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $90 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for each voting day
A Voting Officer is responsible for assisting electors with the voting process and for responding to elector questions. Voting Officers will work independently to administer the voting process at each voting station.
Responsibilities
- Setting up the voting station;
- Verifying the elector’s qualifications;
- Checking for authorized identification;
- Maintaining the electronic voting record;
- Determining the elector’s voting area;
- Administering the Declaration of Elector;
- Administering the Vouching Declaration;
- Administering necessary oaths, when required;
- Instructing electors in completing the ballot;
- Gathering Where to Vote cards, declarations and oaths;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Securing materials between advance voting days, as required;
- Returning supplies to the Returning Officer if a supervisor cannot; and
- Instructing scrutineers of the proper procedures in the voting place.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day;
- Have previous election experience;
- Have good map reading skills;
- Have good communication skills;
- Have good familiarity with using technology; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $90 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for each voting day
A Ballot Box Clerk is responsible for operating a vote tabulator and assisting electors in casting their ballots.
Responsibilities
- Prior to the start of voting, showing the ballot box is empty;
- Sealing the ballot box;
- Setting up and operating the vote tabulator;
- Maintaining the ballot box and tabulator;
- Assisting electors to cast their ballots;
- Informing electors of any issues with their ballot, as indicated by the vote tabulator;
- Maintaining peace and order in the voting place;
- Securing materials between advance voting days, as required;
- Returning the ballots, ballot box and tabulator to the returning office if the Site Supervisor cannot; and
- Instructing scrutineers of the proper procedures in the voting place.
Qualifications
- Be a resident in the Electoral Division where the voting place is located (preferred);
- Be at least 16 years old on Election Day; and
- Have experience in dealing with the public.
Remuneration
- $90 for the completion of online and classroom training
- $255 for each voting day