Ballot Processing Junior Clerk – Short-Term Assignment – San Francisco Department of Elections (1402 Junior Clerk)

Department Background

The mission of the Department of Elections (Department) is to provide equitable access to voting and election-related services and to conduct free, fair, and functional elections for the City and County of San Francisco. Department staff work year-round to ensure that every eligible San Franciscan has easy access to safe, barrier-free registration and voting options. The Department also works continuously to improve its elections programs with the goal of making them ever more efficient and responsive to the needs of San Francisco voters.

The Department strives to cultivate a workplace environment in which employees of all racial and ethnic backgrounds feel respected, valued, and supported in providing the fairest and most effective services possible to San Francisco residents. The Department is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace and to providing the training and resources necessary for all employees to succeed in delivering equitable services to city residents.

The Department is committed to reaching job seekers of all backgrounds. Everyone, including job seekers from underrepresented communities, is strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Description

In preparation for the November 3, 2026, Consolidated General Election, the Department is seeking applications for seasonal positions as Ballot Processing Junior Clerks (1402 Junior Clerk) to assist the Ballot Distribution division with various ballot-processing tasks during the Department’s peak Election Day and post-election period.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a very short-term election assignment. Employees may be assigned to work only one day or multiple days beginning November 3, 2026, based on the Department’s operational needs. The duration of the assignment may be shortened or extended depending on post-election workload. Work schedules will be assigned by the Department. Applicants must be available to work the full anticipated duration of the shift(s) to which they are assigned, which may include shifts of up to approximately 12 hours.

Vote-by-mail ballot processing consists of several steps, including envelope scanning, signature comparison, ballot extraction, and backfolding. Under immediate supervision, employees in these positions perform a variety of basic clerical and ballot-processing tasks using established procedures and instructions. Depending on operational needs, employees may be assigned to different ballot-processing functions throughout the assignment, including ballot sorting, backfolding, extraction, preparation for tabulation, and supporting ballot adjudication by serving as a verifier/reader alongside staff responsible for adjudicating ballots.

In addition to the range of duties assigned to the 1402 Junior Clerk classification, https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=1402&setId=COMMN,  employees in these positions may perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

1. Perform ballot sorting, backfolding, extraction, and other ballot-preparation tasks according to established procedures.
2. Open and process vote-by-mail and provisional ballot envelopes according to established procedures.
3. Prepare and organize ballots for scanning and tabulation.
4. Assist with ballot adjudication as a verifier/reader, using established procedures and instructions.
5. Assist with the movement and organization of ballots between designated processing areas according to established procedures.
6. Maintain routine processing counts, logs, labels, and other basic documentation as instructed.
7. Sort and organize vote-by-mail envelopes and other election materials for processing or record retention.
8. Organize, assemble, stage, and distribute ballots, election supplies, and other materials as directed.
9. Perform other basic clerical, ballot-processing, and post-election tasks as assigned based on operational needs.

Applicants are encouraged to learn more about what to expect during employment with the Department by watching this video: https://youtu.be/qgH-4bgAMLs.

Position Schedule, Requirements, and Work Location

This is a very short-term, temporary exempt as-needed assignment. The number of days and hours worked is not guaranteed and will depend on the Department's operational needs and post-election workload. Employees may be assigned to work only one day or two to three days. Assignment dates, shift times, and assignment durations are tentative and may be adjusted, shortened, or extended based on operational needs.

Work schedules will be assigned by the Department based on operational needs rather than individual shift preferences. Applicants must be available to work the full anticipated duration of the shift(s) to which they are assigned.

Anticipated shift hours may include:

• 6:00 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m.
• 8:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m.
• 8:00 a.m. to approximately 8:00 p.m.
• 9:00 a.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m.
• 12:00 p.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m.

Applicants should carefully consider the anticipated shift hours before applying. Shift assignments will be determined by the Department, and applicants must be able to work the full anticipated duration of any shift to which they are assigned. Shift end times are approximate and may be adjusted based on workload and operational needs. Some shifts may be up to approximately 12 hours in duration. Overtime hours are paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate when applicable.

Work will primarily be performed on site at the Department of Elections office at City Hall in San Francisco. Employees may also be required to work at the Department's warehouse at Pier 31 or at other locations within San Francisco, as operationally necessary.

The position requires prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing, repetitive ballot-processing tasks, and the ability to lift and handle items weighing up to 25 pounds.

This is a temporary exempt, as-needed position. Temporary exempt as-needed employees who have worked more than 1,040 hours in any consecutive 12-month period and whose normal workweek at the time of inclusion in the system is not less than 20 hours may be eligible for health coverage and retirement benefits. Additional information regarding City and County of San Francisco benefits is available through the Department of Human Resources: https://careers.sf.gov/benefits/.

Position Salary: $29.55 hourly

Minimum Qualifications:

Six (6) months of clerical experience including preparing and maintaining a variety of records and/or documents, filing, use of office equipment, public contact and processing of incoming and outgoing mail.

Substitution:  Completion of an approved City and County of San Francisco Clerical Administrative Training program, or completion of a clerical training program (240 hours), or 15 semester units (or equivalent quarter units) of coursework from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to 6 months of required experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

1. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and established ballot-processing procedures.
2. Strong attention to detail and accuracy when handling and processing election materials.
3. Ability to perform repetitive ballot-processing and clerical tasks accurately and efficiently for extended periods.
4. Ability to maintain routine counts, logs, labels, and other basic processing records.
5. Ability to carefully review and verify information according to established procedures and instructions.
6. Ability to remain attentive and organized while working in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
7. Dependability, punctuality, and the ability to report as scheduled and remain for the full duration of the assigned shift.
8. Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team during a short-duration, high-volume election assignment.

To be considered for the position, applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. September 18, 2026.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Elections Hiring Team at elections.careers@sfgov.org.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview 
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Carol Isen - Human Resources Director

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.