Field Liaison Officers

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A field liaison officer (FLO) is responsible for advising and supporting Elections Canada (EC) and returning officers (ROs). FLOs are in charge of a region, which is composed of approximately 10 to 14 electoral districts usually located near the FLO's home. FLOs generally work from home and travel to electoral districts in their region and Gatineau, Quebec.

Key activities

In accordance with the Canada Elections Act, FLOs are responsible, under the Chief Electoral Officer's general direction, and in respect of the geographical area (region) to which they are assigned, for providing support to ROs and acting as intermediary between ROs and the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

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Tasks

Between electoral events, FLOs:

• Foster collaboration and promote information-sharing among ROs to find solutions to regional issues and challenges
• Implement changes with respect to legislation, processes, policies, practices and priorities
• Oversee pre-event field-readiness assignments completed by ROs by committing to deliverables, negotiating plans and budgets with EC, providing advice, guidance, coaching and support to ROs, and encouraging completion of tasks on time, on budget and within guidelines
• Lead engagement activities with provincial or territorial management bodies, municipalities, school boards and other organizations in the region
• Organize post-election meetings

They are also actively involved in:

• Recruiting and orienting ROs and assistant returning officers (AROs)
• Optimizing EC's plans by providing expert advice on regional challenges and considerations
• Developing performance objectives, expected results, measures and assessments for ROs
• RO performance evaluations
• Special assignments, as needed

During electoral events, FLOs:

• Advise, coach and support ROs in carrying out legislated and operational deliverables
• Assist ROs with solving local issues and obtaining EC's support, as needed
• Coordinate regional activities in areas such as recruitment and outreach and liaise with school boards, vendors or service providers, among others
• Work with regional media advisors to handle media requests
• Conduct assessments of pre-determined activities linked to RO performance objectives in local EC offices, provide advice to ROs on corrective actions, and report to HQ on such matters throughout the election period
• Assess the overall management of the election in their region for senior management at headquarters, including how ROs are meeting objectives, fulfilling statutory requirements and following EC policies

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Regions

There are 31 FLO regions across Canada.

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Employment status and remuneration

FLOs are appointed under the Canada Elections Act in a way that is similar to how ROs are appointed. Their remuneration is specified under the Federal Elections Tariff of Fees. It includes:

• A monthly stipend of $960.37, beginning three months after the end of an election period
• $64.02 per hour for special assignments outside a general election or during by-elections
• $26,826.39 for all work performed during the election period of a general election
• $7,682.98 for services performed during the three months after the end of the election period

For details, see the Federal Elections Tariff of Fees.

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Qualifications

Statutory requirements

A FLO must be qualified as an elector (i.e., be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old) and must reside in the region in which he or she is to perform duties under the Canada Elections Act.

Education

Successful completion of two years of an acceptable post-secondary education program

OR

An acceptable combination of education, training and relevant experience.

Experience

• Election experience as a returning officer, assistant returning officer, additional assistant returning officer or field liaison officer at the federal level, or equivalent at the provincial or territorial level, or other acceptable experience in managing election operations
• Experience as a senior manager in a mid-sized or large organization with decentralized operations, including demonstrated success in leadership, team building, and managing projects, human resources, budgets as well as communications with staff, managers and stakeholders

Language

For regions outside the province of Quebec, fluency in English is essential. In the province of Quebec, fluency in French is essential. In regions where both official languages are widely used, bilingualism is required. In all other regions, bilingualism is considered an asset. Please refer to the list of regions for details.

Additional qualifications that may be used to select candidates

• Ability to communicate in both official languages
• As a senior manager in an organization, experience managing a staff of 20 or more and a budget of $1M or more

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Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of the mandate, role and responsibilities of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (Elections Canada) and the local Elections Canada office(s)
• Knowledge of the management of projects, human resources, financial resources and communications
• Knowledge of demographic groups and the social and cultural challenges in the region
• Ability to provide advice to ROs so that they can implement the statutory and administrative requirements of their position
• Ability to provide advice to EC on the challenges, risks and issues related to the preparations for and conduct of an election
• Ability to negotiate and solve problems
• Ability to work in a computerized environment
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to lead change management
• Excellent interpersonal skills, i.e. diplomacy, tact, judgment, reliability, adaptability and discretion

Important considerations for appointment

• Candidates should reside within the region for which the position is responsible. This criterion will be applied in the screening process.
• A reference check will be made with the electoral management body with which the candidate has most recently been employed.
• An exam, interview and computer abilities assessment will be conducted.
• Candidates who are being considered for appointment must:
  1. Complete and submit the Treasury Board's Personnel Screening, Consent and Authorization Form, which includes providing information required for the criminal record and credit checks
  2. Be granted the "Reliability Status" before they can be appointed
  3. Be prepared to accept the following conditions of appointment:
     1. Not engage in politically partisan conduct at the federal, provincial, territorial or municipal levels
     2. Not make a contribution to a candidate, a leadership candidate or a nomination candidate
     3. Not belong to or make a contribution to, be an employee of or hold a position in a registered party, an eligible party or a registered electoral district association
     4. Be available between electoral events for pre-event planning and other part-time and intermittent activities
     5. Be available and able to work long hours, without notice, for the duration of an election or referendum period and the post-event period
     6. Attend training sessions in Gatineau or in other locations in Canada, as required

For details, see the Code of Professional Conduct for Election Administrators.

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