Job Description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job details Job reference VAC007574 Date posted 27/10/2025 Application closing date 16/11/2025 Location B Bond - West Wing Smeaton Road Hotwells Bristol BS1 6XN Salary BG13: 47,181 - 50,269 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Democratic and Electoral, Project Management Attachments
Principal Electoral Services Officer x2 Job description
Full Time, Permanent
We are seeking two highly experienced electoral professionals to join our team as principal electoral services officers. These two pivotal roles support the Electoral Services Manager to plan and deliver all aspects of electoral administration in one of the UK's core cities.
You will lead delivery of complex and large-scale electoral events, ensuring compliance with legislation, safeguarding electoral integrity, and maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.
About You
You are a confident and experienced electoral professional with a strong understanding of electoral law and a passion for delivering democratic services to the highest standard.
You thrive in high-pressure environments, are comfortable managing complex projects and teams, and have a meticulous eye for detail. You must be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience in electoral administration, including the delivery of a variety of election types, referenda, annual canvass and statutory reviews.
• Experience of supervising or managing staff in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply electoral law and Electoral Commission guidance.
• Have a keen eye for detail and dedication to upholding the accuracy and fairness of electoral processes.

About Us
Join us and you'll get more than a challenging job: you'll enjoy all the benefits of living and working in one of Europe's most vibrant and best-located cities known for its cultural diversity. At Bristol City Council we pride ourselves on growing a workforce that is talented, diverse and motivated and represents the community it serves. Only then can we provide an appropriate and outstanding service to all Bristol citizens. We aim to have a diverse workforce where creativity thrives.
With approximately 333,000 registered electors and 234 polling districts across the city. The electoral services team is very well supported within Bristol City Council. You'll be part of a friendly professional team, where your work directly supports the democratic process and influences the reputation of the council and public confidence in local government.
This role is politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This means that you are prevented from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. Politically restricted employees are disqualified from standing for or holding elected office, and these restrictions are incorporated as terms in an employee's contract of employment under s.3 Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.
You are also prohibited from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate and from speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party.
The role has periods of paid contractual overtime and periods when flexitime is suspended. See the special conditions document for further details.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you'll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you'll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
For further information:

• Paula Hunter, Electoral Services Manager 07785 469 221

.
Closing Date: Sunday 16th November - midnight
Interview Dates: Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November - in person
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.
The personal information section (including your name) you'll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
Job title Principal Electoral Services Officer x2 Job reference VAC007574 Date posted 27/10/2025 Application closing date 16/11/2025 Location B Bond - West Wing Smeaton Road Hotwells Bristol BS1 6XN Salary BG13: 47,181 - 50,269 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Democratic and Electoral, Project Management Attachments Job description
Full Time, Permanent
We are seeking two highly experienced electoral professionals to join our team as principal electoral services officers. These two pivotal roles support the Electoral Services Manager to plan and deliver all aspects of electoral administration in one of the UK's core cities.
You will lead delivery of complex and large-scale electoral events, ensuring compliance with legislation, safeguarding electoral integrity, and maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.
About You
You are a confident and experienced electoral professional with a strong understanding of electoral law and a passion for delivering democratic services to the highest standard.
You thrive in high-pressure environments, are comfortable managing complex projects and teams, and have a meticulous eye for detail. You must be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience in electoral administration, including the delivery of a variety of election types, referenda, annual canvass and statutory reviews.
• Experience of supervising or managing staff in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply electoral law and Electoral Commission guidance.
• Have a keen eye for detail and dedication to upholding the accuracy and fairness of electoral processes.

About Us
Join us and you'll get more than a challenging job: you'll enjoy all the benefits of living and working in one of Europe's most vibrant and best-located cities known for its cultural diversity. At Bristol City Council we pride ourselves on growing a workforce that is talented, diverse and motivated and represents the community it serves. Only then can we provide an appropriate and outstanding service to all Bristol citizens. We aim to have a diverse workforce where creativity thrives.
With approximately 333,000 registered electors and 234 polling districts across the city. The electoral services team is very well supported within Bristol City Council. You'll be part of a friendly professional team, where your work directly supports the democratic process and influences the reputation of the council and public confidence in local government.
This role is politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This means that you are prevented from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. Politically restricted employees are disqualified from standing for or holding elected office, and these restrictions are incorporated as terms in an employee's contract of employment under s.3 Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.
You are also prohibited from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate and from speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party.
The role has periods of paid contractual overtime and periods when flexitime is suspended. See the special conditions document for further details.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you'll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you'll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
For further information:

• Paula Hunter, Electoral Services Manager 07785 469 221

.
Closing Date: Sunday 16th November - midnight
Interview Dates: Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November - in person
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.
The personal information section (including your name) you'll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.

Skills Required