Chief Returning Officer (Cro)

Employment Opportunity — Chief Returning Officer (CRO)

Number of Hires: One (1)

Salary: $3,500

Location: Remote and In Person at the NUSU Student Centre (221 College Drive, North Bay, Ontario)

Reports To: Elections Committee, and ultimately the Board of Directors

Closing Date: August 6th at 11:59 pm

Qualifications

• Previous experience in administering and overseeing elections
• Ability to analyze and administer rules and regulations as stated in the NUSU Elections Policy
• Strong understanding of and commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Decolonization practices
• General knowledge of the Nipissing University Student Union, Nipissing University, and/or other relevant knowledge of the Nipissing University community
• Strong understanding of and commitment to impartiality and non-partisanship
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills - both written and oral
• Excellent time management skills - ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Knowledge of and experience with student unions, associations, and/or affiliations are considered strong assets
• Experience with conflict resolution is considered to be a strong asset

Summary

The Nipissing University Student Union is currently seeking applications for the role of Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for our Student Union’s Executive Director Election. The CRO is a paid external contract that is hired to administer and oversee all aspects of the NUSU Executive Director Election, including communicating with electoral Candidates and adhering to policies and timelines.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a list of duties and responsibilities that pertain to the role of the CRO. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Oversee the NUSU Executive Director Election according to the Elections Policy and By-Laws.
• Strictly enforce, by letter and in spirit, the NUSU Elections Policy and By-Laws.
• Manage the Electoral process:
• Intake of Nomination Packages,
• Validation of Nomination Packages,
• Administration and marketing of the campaign and voting periods,
• Enforcing rules, regulations, and other tasks.
• Work with the Media Associate at NUSU to develop, plan, and execute all marketing strategies for the voting population to engage with all Candidates.
• Organize and conduct two (2) All-Candidates Meetings for any Election.
• Serve as a resource for all Candidates and voters during all working hours prior to and during the Election period.
• Resolve any Election violations and grievances in adherence to the Elections Policy and By-Laws.
• Conduct investigations for any Election violations or grievances.
• Respond to any complaints submitted to the CRO from voters or Candidates.
• Provide a final report to the Board of Directors, which summarizes all transactions, decisions, and results of NUSU Elections and provides feedback and recommendations for future Elections.
• Remain knowledgeable of any changes or decisions made by the NUSU Board of Directors affecting any NUSU Election Policy or By-Law.
• Fulfill any other duties as required by the NUSU By-Laws or Election Policy.

Terms of Office

The Term of the Chief Returning Officer is from May 1 to April 31 of the following year. The CRO will work remotely for the duration of the contract except for certain aspects of the Executive Director Campaign Period, Executive Director Debate, and other emergency circumstances.

In-Person and Virtually Completed Hours of Work

During January, the CRO is expected to come up to NUSU and work in person during the Executive Director Election Campaign Period. This will be attending the debate to moderate the Candidates, and meeting with the Elections Committee, NUSU Employees, Candidates, and Members as required.

These hours will be established before the Campaign Period begins. Additionally, the CRO may need to work outside those times to meet virtually with Candidates, Members of NUSU, community members, the Elections Committee, and the NUSU Board to address concerns, provide context for Appeals, create the CRO’s final report and present it to the Board.

Virtually Completed Hours of Work

For any other month, the CRO may be required to work a minimum of five (5) hours to meet with the Elections Committee and plan for any upcoming Election or By-Election as required.

Ideal Qualities and Expectations

Ideal qualities for a CRO include but are not limited to:

• Leadership, delegation, and supervisory skills;
• Time-management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills;
• Communication and interpersonal skills;
• Emotional intelligence and maturity; and
• Highly motivated and exemplary work ethic.

The individual shall also act with a respectful degree of professionalism, and shall strive to achieve the following:

• Creation of reports and documentation for the Board of Directors;
• Be prepared to work outside your contracted hours, including evenings and weekends when necessary.

How to Apply

Interested applicants may submit their resumes and cover letters via email to .

When applying, please quote: CRO Position

Don’t meet every single role's qualities? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NUSU, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. So if you’re excited about this role, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for the job!

As part of NUSU’s commitment to accessibility, accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the application process as per the guidelines of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you wish this information in a different format, please contact operations@nusu.com.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $3,500.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in North Bay, ON

Application deadline: 2025-08-06