Why just be a voter when you can be the one who counts?
Welcome and thank you for considering being a Returning Officer for Elections Ontario. To be a successful returning officer, you need to be deeply engaged with your community and possess a thorough understanding of the local culture, demographics, and political landscape. You must demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding electoral laws and processes while leading and managing a team effectively. Essential skills include project and event management, relationship building with various stakeholders, and excellent customer service. You should be able to work efficiently under pressure, be comfortable with technology, and maintain a positive attitude. Effective communication and a strong sense of community and self are also crucial for handling the challenges of the role.
NOTICE: This position was filled on Thursday, January 23, 2025
Thank you for considering this role.
Thank you for considering this role.
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Returning Officer
ED107 - Timiskaming - Cochrane JOB DESCRIPTION | APPLY HERE At $45/hr, you will earn approximately $20,000 during an election period. You will also earn income during pre and post election periods e.g. 10 hours of training = $450. You can hold the position for up to 10 years. |
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PLEASE APPLY QUICKLY
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A note about Timing:
**Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin immediately. All candidates who apply will be considered equally. |
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WHO WE ARE:
Elections Ontario is a non-partisan office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario responsible for administering provincial elections in Ontario. Our team is made up of full-time staff working out of our head office, and a returning officer and election clerk for each of Ontario’s 124 electoral districts. During preparations for an election, our team grows to include the temporary staff that help us administer the many tasks involved with delivering a provincial election. The next Ontario general election will be held on or before June 4, 2026
MISSION: Our mission is to uphold the integrity and accessibility of the electoral process and to manage elections in an efficient, fair, and impartial manner.
QUICK FACTS:
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STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
DURING ELECTIONS, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
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JOB DESCRIPTION: Returning Officer
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JOB TITLE - Returning Officer (Timiskaming—Cochrane) - Electoral District 107
--- PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY ---
--- Your Name, Email and Resume or LinkedIn profile are all that is required begin the process. ---
Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin immediately. All candidates who apply will be considered equally.
OVERVIEW - The Returning Officer (RO) is a manager that is accountable for delivering an electoral event within their Electoral District (ED). They play a key role in maintaining public trust in the electoral process and with Elections Ontario (EO) to ensure democracy is upheld by delivering fair and consistent elections. They ensure legislative compliance, administrative effectiveness and impartiality. As an effective community leader, your responsibilities include:
TIMING - It is possible that an election will be held sometime between February and June, 2025. It would be ideal if, on short notice, your schedule could be free during that period. When an election is called you will be required to work full-time approx. 6 days per week approx. 10 hours per day --- at $45 per hour ($15,000 to $20,000 bases on exact hours). The election period is generally 29 days. Officially, the 2026 Ontario general election must be held on or before June 4, 2026. Training and setup will begin as early as February 2025.
WORKING CONDITIONS - During the election period, the Returning Officer position can be demanding, both mentally and physically. RO's work long hours, six days a week, during the 29-day election period and for several weeks after the election. Outside the election period, RO's work variable hours on an occasional, part-time basis to carry out pre-election planning assignments and attend training or briefing sessions, etc.
WHO WE ARE - The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer is an independent, non-partisan agency of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, responsible for the administration of provincial elections, by-elections and referenda. Our recruitment process reflects our mission to uphold the integrity and accessibility of the electoral process and to manage elections in an efficient, fair, and impartial manner. Together, we lead change by building modern services that put the needs of Ontarians first.
JOIN OUR TEAM - We are seeking results-oriented, management-level community leaders who thrive in a multi-faceted challenging environment, to manage the administration of all aspects of provincial elections, by-elections and referenda in their assigned electoral district. The Returning Officer (RO) is at the heart of the election in their electoral district (ED). They play a key role in maintaining public trust in the electoral process to ensure democracy is upheld by delivering fair, accessible, impartial and consistent elections. ROs are appointed by Order-In-Council for a 10-year period based on the recommendation of the Chief Electoral Officer.
WHAT TO EXPECT
For your assigned electoral district (ED), you will:
QUALIFICATIONS
HOURLY PAY RATE - $45 per hour
WORK HOURS - Variable hours with full-time hours during the election period (see above).
ACCOMMODATION - Elections Ontario is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment, where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code, we provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate, please call 1-888-668-8683, send a fax to
1-866-714-2809, TTY at 1-888-292-2312 or email [email protected].
CONTACT: Jeff Richmond [email protected] | (416) 238-6400
TO APPLY: Please go to: www.nafor.com/elections or use the links below.
--- PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY ---
--- Your Name, Email and Resume or LinkedIn profile are all that is required begin the process. ---
Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin immediately. All candidates who apply will be considered equally.
APPLY
JOB TITLE - Returning Officer (Timiskaming—Cochrane) - Electoral District 107
--- PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY ---
--- Your Name, Email and Resume or LinkedIn profile are all that is required begin the process. ---
Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin immediately. All candidates who apply will be considered equally.
- Name, Email and Resume or LinkedIn profile are all that is required begin the process.
- Hiring will be completed as soon as possible.
- Click here to watch videos about the Returning Officer position in Ontario.
OVERVIEW - The Returning Officer (RO) is a manager that is accountable for delivering an electoral event within their Electoral District (ED). They play a key role in maintaining public trust in the electoral process and with Elections Ontario (EO) to ensure democracy is upheld by delivering fair and consistent elections. They ensure legislative compliance, administrative effectiveness and impartiality. As an effective community leader, your responsibilities include:
- Identifying a returning office and voting locations,
- Recruiting and managing a team of office staff and poll officials,
- Liaising with stakeholders and managing our budget.
TIMING - It is possible that an election will be held sometime between February and June, 2025. It would be ideal if, on short notice, your schedule could be free during that period. When an election is called you will be required to work full-time approx. 6 days per week approx. 10 hours per day --- at $45 per hour ($15,000 to $20,000 bases on exact hours). The election period is generally 29 days. Officially, the 2026 Ontario general election must be held on or before June 4, 2026. Training and setup will begin as early as February 2025.
WORKING CONDITIONS - During the election period, the Returning Officer position can be demanding, both mentally and physically. RO's work long hours, six days a week, during the 29-day election period and for several weeks after the election. Outside the election period, RO's work variable hours on an occasional, part-time basis to carry out pre-election planning assignments and attend training or briefing sessions, etc.
WHO WE ARE - The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer is an independent, non-partisan agency of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, responsible for the administration of provincial elections, by-elections and referenda. Our recruitment process reflects our mission to uphold the integrity and accessibility of the electoral process and to manage elections in an efficient, fair, and impartial manner. Together, we lead change by building modern services that put the needs of Ontarians first.
JOIN OUR TEAM - We are seeking results-oriented, management-level community leaders who thrive in a multi-faceted challenging environment, to manage the administration of all aspects of provincial elections, by-elections and referenda in their assigned electoral district. The Returning Officer (RO) is at the heart of the election in their electoral district (ED). They play a key role in maintaining public trust in the electoral process to ensure democracy is upheld by delivering fair, accessible, impartial and consistent elections. ROs are appointed by Order-In-Council for a 10-year period based on the recommendation of the Chief Electoral Officer.
WHAT TO EXPECT
For your assigned electoral district (ED), you will:
- Planning and preparing for electoral events including identifying and inspecting several voting locations and returning office space.
- Processing candidates’ nomination papers.
- Ensuring all voting channels are operating effectively during advance poll and polling day voting.
- Using your strong community network to oversee recruitment of returning office staff (8-12) and poll officials (200 or more).
- Manage a team of qualified election professionals, including returning office staff and voting location staff.
- Reporting progress and issues to headquarters’ staff, as required.
- Reporting election results accurately and efficiently.
- Maintaining the integrity and privacy of sensitive election products such as the List of Electors.
- Completing event deliverables according to timelines set by the Election Act and Elections Ontario headquarters (EOHQ), such as the implementation and delivery of all voting channels.
- Developing and managing effective and collaborative working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Managing the returning office budget and payroll activities, and complying with Elections Ontario (EO) standards, legislation, policies and administrative structures.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be of voting age, a Canadian Citizen and resident in Ontario as per the Election Act.
- Demonstrated management skills and experience to manage a team of qualified election professionals.
- Leadership role in the community; strong network and connections in the electoral district to assist with recruitment of returning office staff and poll officials.
- Event planning or project management experience; demonstrated ability to work under pressure to ensure deliverables are completed on time.
- Demonstrated expertise in Human Resources management of a diverse workforce.
- Demonstrated experience financially managing a six-figure budget.
- Knowledge and understanding of various legislation including Election Act, Election Finances Act, Ontario Employment Standards Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, French Language Services Act and privacy legislation.
- Highly developed oral/written communications, customer service, consultation, relationship management and interpersonal skills to work effectively with electors, candidates, landlords and other partners.
- Demonstrated experience with computer technology systems including Microsoft Office suite and various software applications, and comfortable adopting new software.
- Living in or near the electoral district is preferred. Local demographic and geographic knowledge of electoral district is considered an asset.
- Have access to a reliable means of transportation.
HOURLY PAY RATE - $45 per hour
WORK HOURS - Variable hours with full-time hours during the election period (see above).
ACCOMMODATION - Elections Ontario is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment, where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code, we provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate, please call 1-888-668-8683, send a fax to
1-866-714-2809, TTY at 1-888-292-2312 or email [email protected].
CONTACT: Jeff Richmond [email protected] | (416) 238-6400
TO APPLY: Please go to: www.nafor.com/elections or use the links below.
--- PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY ---
--- Your Name, Email and Resume or LinkedIn profile are all that is required begin the process. ---
Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin immediately. All candidates who apply will be considered equally.
APPLY