Dozens of jobs available as Derbyshire polling draws closer

DOZENS of roles are available to help out at Derbyshire’s upcoming county council elections.

Paid positions which people can apply for through their district or borough councils include roles as presiding officers, poll clerks and count assistants.

Training will be given to successful applicants ahead of polling day, Thursday, May 6, which will see Derbyshire elect its county council for the first time in four years.

There are still vacancies in all areas, with people also needed to manage potential queues outside polling stations, which will be open from 7am to 10pm on May 6. Positions are also available to work on Friday, May 7, when the votes will be counted.

People offering to work on either of the two days should apply via their district or borough council.

A spokeswoman for the county council says that current vacancies range from two to up to 20 in some council areas.

Pay rates at each district or borough council vary slightly, but the rates offered by Derbyshire Dales District Council are as follows:

Presiding officers will be paid £245, polling clerks will receive £198, post vote opening assistants will earn £8.95/hour, post vote opening supervisors will get £10.70/ hour, and count assistants can expect to earn £16.80/hour.

People can find out more on how to apply for an election role atderbyshire.gov.uk/council/elections/elections

Some councils are also looking for people to be on standby in case issues arise due to coronavirus and people need to be replaced at the last minute due to illness or having to isolate.

Emma Alexander, the county council’s managing executive director, said: “We rely on an army of people to step forward to help us run our local elections and make sure they go smoothly.

“The teams working behind the scenes are facing particular challenges this time due to the pandemic but are determined to ensure everything is as safe and secure as it can possibly be, and the election is delivered in a professional and timely way.

“More people are needed to come forward for these paid-for roles and by stepping up they really will be at the heart of the local elections helping the wheels of democracy to continue to turn.”

Derby City Council is also recruiting staff to work at city polling stations in May, and is looking for presiding officers, poll clerks and counters.