Polling place manager (PPM)

Position Description (PDF, 28 kb)      Job Pack (PDF, 38 kb)

Primary Purpose of the Position

Polling Place Managers (PPM’s) are employed by the Returning Officer (RO) as front line managers of each polling place across NSW at the time of an election.
PPM’s are responsible for the conduct of voting and counting in the polling place and for the management of their team. PPM’s are to ensure the polling place is set-up and operational during the hours of voting, supervise staff issuing ordinary and absent ballot papers, answer more detailed enquiries and manage the count of Legislative Assembly ballot papers at the close of voting.
The role of the PPM in the democratic process and the delivery of a fair, impartial and professionally conducted election is vital. PPM’s are critical to the successful and professional conduct of elections in their designated district.
PPM’s are required to attend a two hour (Approx) face to face training session with their RO and complete online training. Set-up of the polling place is to be completed on the Friday afternoon/evening before Election Day.

Key Outcomes/Accountabilities

• PPM’s will be called upon to make decisions consistent with the NSWEC’s manuals, directions and instructions. More difficult decisions are to be referred to the RO.
• Formality decisions will need to be made on the spot and under the scrutiny of scrutineers.
• PPM’s are required to attend training conducted by the RO as well as undertake the training offered on-line.
• PPM’s receive and check all election material for their polling place and are responsible for the security of ballot papers and certified lists.
• PPM’s are responsible for the key collection for their polling place, setting up and dismantling of the polling place and is responsible for the premises throughout Election Day.
• Overall management of the polling place is the responsibility of the PPM which includes briefing staff and scrutineers.

Entitlements

Election day fee - between $409.55 and $533.57 (depending on the number of issuing tables in the polling place).
Training fee - $105.69 if all training requirements are met.
Meal money - $21.90 if working past 6.00pm.
Phone allowance - $30.00 if usage of personal mobile phone is required.
Mileage allowance for use of your motor vehicle for work related purposes only may be payable.

Deputy polling manager (DPPM)

Position Description (PDF, 25 kb)      Job Pack (PDF, 37 kb)

Primary Purpose of the Position

Deputy Polling Place Managers (DPPM’s) are employed to assist the Polling Place Manager (PPM) in the management of large polling places, and to provide relief for other election officials when and if required. Duties are allocated by the Returning Officer (RO) and can include the setup and operational facilities required for voting, supervision of staff issuing ordinary and absent ballot papers, answering more complex/detailed enquiries and the management of a small team counting ballot papers at the close of voting.
The DPPM may also be given the responsibility for supervision of the Declaration Vote Issuing tables. DPPM’s are provided with the same training as the PPM.

Key Outcomes/Accountabilities

• Completion of election procedures home study prior to attending training session offered by the RO;
• Attend the training session offered by the RO;
• Assist the PPM set up the polling place on the Friday night before election day; Supervise the polling place on Election Day;
• Provide accurate advice to electors, party workers and scrutineers; Ensure the polling place is functioning within the guidelines provided; Provision of clear instructions to election officials on the conduct of duties;
• Assist the PPM with the counting of ballot papers; Undertake and supervise staff involved in the packing of material to be returned to the RO Facilitate the accessibility requirements of electors with a disability;
• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees in the workplace in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001;
• Compliance with NSWEC information security guidelines and compliance with EEO policies; Maintain an understanding and implementation of cultural diversity and a commitment to ethical conduct and standards of practice.

Entitlements

Election Day fee - $409.55
Training fee - $105.69 if all training requirements are met.
Meal money - $21.90 if working past 6.00pm.
Phone allowance - $30.00 if usage of personal mobile phone is required.
Mileage allowance for use of your motor vehicle, for work related purposes only, may be payable.

Council Count Manager (CCM)

Position Description (PDF, 24 kb)      Job Pack (PDF, 50 kb)

Primary Purpose of the Position

Council Count Managers (CCM’s) are employed from 5:00pm in circumstances in some larger polling places and are required to set-up an appropriate area within the polling place, sort, count, record and pack the Councillor ballot papers. CCM’s will be assigned Election Officials by the Polling Place Manager (PPM) and will be required to supervise those staff in all aspects of the Councillor count.
The sorting counting and packing of Councillor ballot papers must be completed in a timely manner with minimal error. The CCM is responsible for resolving any issues arising throughout the process and will consult with the PPM where necessary. Completion of the necessary Councillor returns are the responsibility of the CCM.

Training will be offered through on-line learning as well as a short face to face training session with the RO.

Key Outcomes/Accountabilities

• Completion of Councillor count on-line learning prior to attending training session offered by the RO;
• Establishment of a suitable area within the polling place to perform the sort, count & pack of Councillor ballot papers which maximises efficiency & does not interfere with other procedures undertaken in the polling place;
• Provision of clear instructions to election officials on the conduct of duties;
• Undertake and supervise staff involved in packing material to be returned to the RO;
• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees in the workplace in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001;
• Compliance with NSWEC information security guidelines and compliance with EEO policies; Maintain an understanding and implementation of cultural diversity and a commitment to ethical conduct and standards of practice.

Entitlements

Election day fee - $132.11
Training fee - $84.55 if all training requirements are met.

Superannuation - $19.49 taxable cash allowance in lieu of superannuation guarantee contribution if NSWEC pay for the month does not exceed $450.
Phone allowance - $30.00 if usage of personal mobile phone is required.

Election Official (EO)

Position Description (PDF, 24 kb)      Job Pack (PDF, 35 kb)

Primary Purpose of the Position

EOs are ordinary vote issuing officers who issue ordinary ballot papers to electors whose names are found on the Certified List of Voters, marking the Certified List and completing the account of ballot papers. EOs also assist with the count of ballot papers after the close of voting.

Some EOs may be assigned the duties of ballot box guards who are required to ensure electors do not exit the polling place without placing ballot papers in the correct ballot box; they also assist with the count of ballot papers after the closer of voting.

• EO Dec Officers issue votes to absent and provisional electors, accept Election Day enrolments and voting, complete relevant returns, assist with the count of ballot papers after the close of voting. They may also be required to answer enquiries from and provide assistance to the public attending the polling place, record elector information, assist with the completion of enrolment forms and perform queue control duties.

 
Part Day Election Official (PDEO)

Position Description (PDF, 24 kb)      Job Pack (PDF, 35 kb) 

Primary Purpose of the Position

Part day EOs are employed from 7.15am to 2.15pm to issue ordinary ballot papers to electors whose names are found on the Certified List of Voters, marking the Certified List and completing the account of ballot papers. Part day EOs provide relief for other EOs at breaks to maintain the level of service offered to electors. Part day EOs are appointed to larger polling places or those considered to have the need for the support of a PDEO. 

Key Outcomes/Accountabilities for Election Official Positions

• All EO’s are required to read a procedure manual and complete the exercises prior to election day
• Dec officers are required to undertake additional home study in order to carry out procedures associated with issuing Declaration Votes
• Count & record ballot papers received, issued, spoilt and unused on the appropriate form
• Refer people whose name is not on the certified list, who have been marked off as having already voted or those with more complex enquiries (such as enrolment issues) to the Enquiry Officer or PPM
• Refer silent electors to the PPM
• Enquiry officers assist the PPM and Deputy PPM (where applicable) in the efficient management and control of the polling place
• Dec vote officers issue ballot papers to electors who are required to vote using a declaration envelope, that is section & absent votes and package up declaration vote envelopes and materials after close of voting
• Ballot Box Guards are required to ensure electors place ballot papers in the correct ballot box, regularly check ballot box(es) to ensure there is sufficient space for ballot papers to be inserted

 All staff assist with the count of ballot papers and packing up of the polling place after close of voting.

Entitlements

Election Day fee - $268.71
Training fee - $20.67
Meal money - $21.90 if working past 6.00pm
Superannuation - $26.05 taxable cash allowance for full days work in lieu of superannuation guarantee contribution if NSWEC pay for the month does not exceed $450.

PDEO Entitlements

Election day fee - $134.36. The Election Day fee may be reduced if the full day is not worked.
Training fee - $20.67
Superannuation - $13.95 taxable cash allowance for work in lieu of superannuation guarantee contribution if NSWEC pay for the month does not exceed $450.

 NOTE:

Mileage allowance

Mileage allowance is only payable for the position of Polling place manager (PPM) and Deputy polling place manager (DPPM) for use of their vehicle for official work related purposes.

For enquiries, phone 1300 135 736 and follow the prompts to employment.