Students Wanted for the Independent Electoral Commission
The Simon Fraser Student Society seeks volunteers for the SFSS Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Compensation and great work experience is provided!
A Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and four Commissioners are required to administer the student society general election and referenda in the Spring 2012 semester. The Commissioners will work with, and under the supervision of, the Chief Electoral Officer.
This is an excellent opportunity for students looking to gain valuable experience, assume real responsibility, improve their resume and earn money.
The CEO is appointed for a one-year term ending December 1, 2012, and will be expected to work a minimum of 150 hours during election, by-election, and referenda periods. The exact time commitment will depend on personal efficiency as well as the particulars of each election, by-election, or referenda. The CEO will begin work in January with the appointment of Commissioners.
This commission will be most active during February and March; the majority of work for Commissioners will take place between February 13th and March 26th. Commissioners will be expected to work a minimum of 50 hours each during the election period. The term for Commissioners will end when the final results of the vote have been approved by the Board.
The CEO and Commissioners will receive a stipend of $14.58 per hour during the election period in accordance with Rule 17, Electoral and Referenda Policy.
Hours of work will vary and will include time spent away from the office (telecommuting).
Duties and responsibilities for Commissioners include but are not limited to:
- Attending IEC meetings in person on the Burnaby campus (usually weekly during the by-election period)
- Participating in a cooperative decision-making process to achieve rulings on complaints, appeals, and other matters as they arise
- Promoting society elections to SFU students to encourage students to vote or to become candidates
- Communicating regularly (daily, at minimum) with the Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioners through email
- Supporting IEC marketing campaigns by posting advertising materials on SFU campuses
- Holding office hours to receive nomination forms, answer questions, receive complaints, etc.
The best candidates for these positions will possess the following:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to compose clear and well-written e-mail messages
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to analyse information to make decisions impartially and without bias
- Willingness to work non-standard hours including time spent out of the office performing tasks such as sending and receiving emails
- Ability to meet in person with less than 24 hours notice on the Burnaby campus at any time during the election process
- Effective time management to balance one’s time between university course work and the requirements of the position
- Ability to work efficiently and at times in a self-supervisory environment
- Willingness to actively contribute to team discussions and activities
Duties, responsibilities, and required competencies for the Chief Electoral Officer include all of the above plus exceptional leadership, coordination, planning, and interpersonal skills. This position is ideal for self-directed individuals with a strong commitment to their work. Because the position of Chief Electoral Officer carries a high level of responsibility and accountability, and because elections and referenda are a vital component of the Society’s democratic foundation, this position is best suited to individuals with a strong base of work and leadership experience.
To learn more about electoral and referenda policies, please review to the following documents which are available at http://elections.sfss.ca/candidate-information/rules/:
- SFSS Constitution (refer to by-laws 14, 15, and 17)
- Rule 17: Electoral and Referenda Policy
- Candidate Handbook
If you are interested in becoming the Chief Electoral Officer, please send your name, contact information, and a description of your qualifications to president@sfss.ca. Resumes are not required but will be accepted. All applicants must be currently registered SFU undergraduate students.
According to Rule 17, Electoral and Referenda Policy, section 4(g):
- All applicants shall provide a written statement in support of their candidacy to the President for inclusion on the Board agenda at least three (3) business days prior to the Board meeting at which an appointment will be made.
- All applicants shall be interviewed at the Board meeting at which the Chief Electoral Officer will be appointed, provided applicants are available to attend.
- The Board shall appoint a Chief Electoral Officer by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
The deadline for applications for Chief Electoral Officer is Friday, December 2nd, 2011, at 12:00pm. Interested students are asked to submit applications as early as possible. The meeting of the Board of Directors to appoint a Chief Electoral Officer will take place at 10:30am on Wednesday, December 7th. Please note that this date is subject to change without notice; updated information will be posted at http://elections.sfss.ca.
If you are interested in becoming a Commissioner, please send your name, contact information, and a description of your qualifications to ceo@sfss.ca. Resumes are not required but will be accepted. All applicants must be currently registered SFU undergraduate students.
The deadline for applications for Commissioner is Wednesday, January 25th, 2011, at 4:00pm. Interested students are asked to submit applications as early as possible. Short-listed candidates will be contacted in January or February for interviews.
For further information, please contact Marc Fontaine (former Chief Electoral Officer and current University Relations Officer) at uro@sfss.ca or 778-878-8081.