Employment at elections - Reception

The main purpose is to greet and record the attendees permitted to enter the count centre.  Reception duties are straightforward but undertaken in an environment that can at times be pressurised at times with queues of people trying to enter or exit the count centre.

Ballot Box Reception staff are also appointed to assist in taking paperwork and ballot boxes from Presiding Officer cars on at the count venue. The hours are approximately 9.30pm to 2.30am. This job includes manual handling requirements, as Reception Staff and Box Runners will be lifting or carrying filled ballot boxes. Any staff fulfilling these roles will need to be able to work at speed whilst carrying heavy loads.

You will be paid as per the rate of fees for the Count role undertaken.

To fulfil Reception duties, you will:

• attend a briefing prior to the start of the count
• Have read and agreed to the terms of the Secrecy provisions
• Act impartially at all times and respect confidentiality of material handled
• Act upon instructions from the Count Manager or Depute Returning Officers

A person working at the reception area for dealing with staff or candidates and agents will be expected to:

• Meet and greet attendees
• Check attendees admitted into the count centre in accordance with the guidance and lists issued by the Returning Officer and Election Team
• Liaise with the Count Manager or Depute Returning Officer if someone turns up to attend who is not on the list
• Comply with the requirements of health and safety legislation at all times, taking due care of themselves, colleagues and others in attendance
• Be prepared to work until the count concludes (adequate breaks and drinks will be provided)
• Be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

The Ballot Box Reception staff are expected to:

• Receive ballot box(es) and other election sundries as detailed on the checklist provided
• Using the checklist, check off the return of the various envelopes contained within the clear wallet and put them in the appropriate trays provided  
• Ensure that ballot boxes and blue boxes containing sundries are taken to the appropriate designated areas signposted by a box runner
• Make ensure that all ballot boxes, returned paperwork and other materials by Presiding Officers have been returned
• Alert the Count Manager or Depute Returning Officer if paperwork or boxes are missing
• Comply with the requirements of health and safety legislation at all times, taking due care of themselves, colleagues and others in attendance
• Be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

Count staff are not permitted to have carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election. 

Essential

• Good communication
• Commitment to customer care and equal opportunities
• Good administrative skills
• Ability to carry out work as instructed
• Diplomacy and tact when working with people
• Good timekeeping
• Ability to remain politically neutral and not support a political party / candidate at the elections
• Not connected to, nor will assist, any candidate or party at the election
• Ability to comply with the requirement for secrecy and instructions regarding the use of social media

Desirable

• Previous reception work or admin experience