Description:
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is seeking organised, hands-on leaders to train as senior election officials (SEOs) for key roles at the November 2026 state election. Does this sound like you?
The role
Senior election officials (SEOs) work as election managers or assistant election managers during an election. They are responsible for an entire local council during a local council election, or district in a state election.
- Successful applicants will join our pool of senior election officials.
- Sessional work delivering major election events – short term contracts every 2 years.
- Full training provided.
SEO roles are significantly more involved than other election staff roles and should not be confused with roles such as voting centre managers. For more information, please see our website: www.vec.vic.gov.au/jobs
Successful applicants
SEOs come from all walks of life: Victorians who are retired or transitioning into retirement; professionals, freelancers or small business owners with the flexibility to take extended leave; parents returning to work and more.
To be successful, you must be:
- a strong communicator, confident in leading and developing a team of short-term staff to ensure key electoral tasks are delivered with accuracy
- willing to have a hands-on, operational approach to management
- a highly organised multi-tasker, who can produce and maintain accurate and detailed documentation
- able to efficiently coordinate multiple complex processes with inflexible deadlines
- willing and able to follow election procedures to make sure the elections are fair, impartial and conducted according to legislation
- experienced and comfortable using various IT systems and able to quickly learn to use unique applications.
Prior electoral work experience is not essential.
Recruitment process
Recruitment occurs in multiple stages, including:
- an interview held on Microsoft Teams between Monday 9 June to Friday 11 July 2025
- reference checks
- 2-day paid SEO selection program held in the Melbourne metro area between Monday 4 August to Friday 5 September 2025.
More detail on the recruitment process and availability requirements of the role is provided in the applicant information pack.
How to apply
Applications should be lodged online using the ‘Apply now' button. Applications must include:
- a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- an online key selection criteria application form (completed after clicking the 'Apply now' button).
You do not need to supply a cover letter.
Please ensure you have read the information pack before applying. This includes key dates you must be available on. We will not consider you for a role if you will not be available on these dates.
Final selection is subject to satisfactory completion and assessment of a Disclosure of Political Activities form. Provisionally successful applicants will also be required to complete a National Police Records Check and a Working with Children Check.
Applications close at 11.59 pm on Sunday 25 May 2025.
The VEC is an equal opportunity employer (subject to Section 17A of the Electoral Act 2002 in accordance with Section 75 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 ) and welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. The VEC strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We understand that candidates may need adjustments in the recruitment process and/or workplace. For any questions or requests for accommodations, please email SEOrecruit@vec.vic.gov.au .