Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

ELECTIONS BC JOBS

Both Kamloops electoral offices still looking to hire ahead of election day

Oct 8, 2020 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — In just under two weeks, British Columbians will head to the polls to decide who has earned the privilege of forming a new provincial government. Election day is always busy, with thousands of polling locations across the province set up to welcome voters. Elections BC is mobilizing a fair-sized force to help make sure voters can cast their ballots.

“For a typical election, we hire about 25,000 workers,” Elections BC Director of Human Resources and Development Services Adia Kapoor explains. “We’re well on our way. Most of those officials will work on General Voting Day, which is October 24, but you’ll be seeing some election officials staffing our advanced voting opportunities around the province. Advanced voting starts next week, on October 15.”

Of course, COVID-19 is affecting how things will be done on polling day. Kapoor says the pandemic has forced Elections BC to combine some of their regular positions, meaning there will be fewer people inside voting locations. However, there will be more people working to ensure voters remain safe and can vote effectively.

“This election, we have eliminated the Voting Clerk role but we have increased the number of Voting Information Officers at voting places in order to account for more support for the physical distancing requirements and supporting voters as they navigate their way through the safety protocols,” Kapoor says.

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There are two District Electoral Offices in Kamloops, and both are currently accepting applications for those who hope to work election day. On the south shore, the office is located inside Sahali Mall. Deborah Lipscombe is the Electoral Officer for the Kamloops-South Thompson Riding.

“We’ve almost got a full complement, but we still have some positions available,” Lipscombe says.

On the North Shore, the electoral office is located in the Brock Shopping Centre. The Electoral Officer for Kamloops-North Thompson is Susan Lyons.

“We could use a few more,” Lyons says. “They could certainly come into the office, or phone us, or apply online at ElectionsBC.ca.”

The website is a good place to start for potential applicants who want to work in the election. There you’ll find an application form you can download, as well as information about how much you’ll get paid — which starts at around $350 if you’re an Information Officer and goes up from there — that’s nothing to sneeze at.

“It’s really fair pay for the long day people are working,” Kapoor says. “Hopefully, it gives people an opportunity to earn a little bit of an income boost.”

With the election fast approaching, you’d best get your application in quickly, so you’re ready for the big day.