No. We welcome applications from all applicants with suitable operations and people management experience.

Returning officers will undertake training (online and face-to-face) offered by NSW Electoral Commission. We will provide you with standard operating procedures, manuals outlining processes and procedures, an election diary to assist in the completion of tasks and a dedicated support centre for daily assistance.

You will be employed on a temporary basis from 15 July to 18 Oct 2024. You will be required to attend face-to-face training in June/July 2024.

The position is full-time (35-hour week).

Package includes (pro rata) salary of $120,859, plus employer’s contribution to superannuation.

Regular overtime work will be required (outside of standard business hours and occasional weekend). Overtime will be paid hourly based on actual hours worked, as per the Crown Employees Award.

While overtime hours will vary according to operational needs, potential earnings will be in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 before tax (inclusive of overtime) based on average hours worked by returning officers at previous election events.

Annual leave will be accrued and paid out at the end of your engagement.

Other allowances and entitlements including leave will also be paid as per the award.

Due to the nature of our operations, regular overtime will be required. This includes weekend work and work outside of standard business hours. This also includes but is not limited to, working on election day.

You will need to be in Australia to complete the training and use a computer or tablet.

The Returning Officer’s office will be established before you commence full-time duties.

Senior office assistants and office assistants work with you in the Returning Officer’s office. You will have the opportunity to select your staff based on merit.

You will also be provided with a staffing plan to help you select your election staff from the applicants that submit an expression of interest to work during an election.

We understand that circumstances can change before taking up the position. Please advise us if this occurs and we will endeavor to see if changes are possible to suit us all.

You will be provided with a mobile phone during the election period.

You will be reimbursed for travel expenses (kilometre allowance) where it is necessary for you to travel to voting centres and/or other approved locations. Travel expenses are not reimbursed for travel to and from the Returning Officer’s office and your home.

Yes, as you may be required to visit a voting centre to provide support or deliver additional election materials, it is important that you have a car to work at elections. You will also work some late hours so your safe travel home is important.

Election staff will be required to undertake some manual handling during the course of their employment. You are encouraged to practice safe manual handling techniques and use tools such as trolleys or the assistance of others when moving heavy items.

There are many opportunities to work at NSW elections in other roles and at different elections. You can submit an expression of interest for the roles of senior office assistant, office assistant or election officials employed for election day. To be notified when expressions of interest open, email your contact details to eoi@elections.nsw.gov.au.

If you are successful but don’t get an offer then you are placed in the talent pool (active for 3 years) and may be offered a position for other elections including state elections, local and state by-elections or commercial elections.

As well as Local Government elections, the NSW Electoral Commission conducts other elections such as state elections, by- elections (for state and local government) and commercial elections for clubs, industrial and statutory boards.

If you are successful in the application for returning officer then your details will be retained for 3 years during which the NSW Electoral Commission may contact you to work.

The NSW Electoral Commission is committed to maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. The NSW Electoral Commission expects that employees refrain from membership of any political party and from engaging in political activity which could be seen as reflecting adversely on the strict political neutrality of the NSW Electoral Commission. Applicants who are seen to be or are active in political activities should disclose such information as part of their application.

Read our Political Neutrality Policy.

If you have any further questions in relation to the application and working conditions. Contact us Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm at returningofficers@hudson.com