Ballot Processing Junior Clerk – San Francisco Department of Elections (1402 Junior Clerk)

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Position Description

In preparation for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election, the Department is seeking applications for seasonal positions of Ballot Processing Junior Clerk (1402 Junior Clerk) to assist the Ballot Distribution division with various ballot processing tasks.

Vote-by-mail ballot-processing consists of four steps: 1) envelope scanning, 2) signature comparison, 3) ballot extraction, and 4) votemark scanning. As part of Step 4, dedicated teams “adjudicate” (interpret ambiguous marks using standardized procedures) or “remake” (duplicate valid votemarks on irregular ballots onto new ballots for counting). The persons in these positions will be assigned to assist with a combination of ballot-processing steps with ordinary difficulty that may involve ballot tabulation, adjudication, and remake, using a set of standardized procedures provided.

In addition to the range of duties assigned to the 1402 job code, https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=1402&setId=COMMN,  the person in this position will have the following essential duties and responsibilities:

1. Perform ballot sorting, backfolding, extraction, duplication, tabulation preparation, and ballot distribution tasks.
2. Open and process vote-by-mail and provisional envelopes according to established procedures.
3. Prepare ballots for tabulation and scanning as directed.
4. Assist with ballot tabulation and tracking.
5. Maintain basic processing logs and documentation as instructed.
6. Sort and organize vote-by-mail envelopes for record retention.
7. Provide clerical support including organizing supplies and assembling materials.
8. Assist with staging and distribution of election supplies.
9. Perform assigned post-election tasks as directed.
10. Work flexible shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

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

The hires for this position may have different start dates which may be between May 26, 2026, and June 5, 2026, depending on the operational needs of the Department. Assignment may run until around one to three weeks after Election Day, June 2, 2026; the exact assignment end date will be determined by the operational needs of the Department.

Work will primarily be on site at the Department of Elections Office at City Hall, San Francisco, CA. Travel within the city and warehouse work (Pier 31) will be required as needed. Candidates must be willing to work flexible working hours, including potentially on Election Day, June 2, from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Work hours will vary widely in accordance with the demands of the election cycle and will range between 20 and 40 hours per week. Position may require mandatory evening and weekend work. Overtime hours are paid at 1.5 the hourly rate.

Position requires sitting/standing for prolonged periods of time and lifting up to 25 lbs.

This is a temporary exempt as-needed position. Temporary exempt as-needed employees who have worked more than 1040 hours in any consecutive 12-month period, and whose normal work week at the time of inclusion in the system is not less than 20 hours are eligible for health coverage and retirement benefits. For more information on the City and County of San Francisco benefit