Department Background

The Department of Elections (Department) conducts all federal, state and local elections in the City and County of San Francisco, currently serving approximately 510,000 registered voters. The Department follows the rules and regulations established by federal, state, and local laws – notably, the Voting Rights Act, the Help America Vote Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the City’s Language Access Ordinance. Additionally, the Department operates in an open and transparent manner to inspire the City’s confidence in the integrity of elections processes.

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 from underrepresented communities. Applicants with such backgrounds are therefore strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Description

In preparation for the November 5, 2024 General Election, the Department is seeking applications for one seasonal bilingual (English-Chinese) clerk position to assist with providing election information to candidates, campaigns, voters, and the general public in person, over the phone, and by email. These positions will also assist the Department’s Emergency Ballot Delivery Program and may be responsible in driving to hospitalized or homebound voters who requested emergency ballot pick-up and delivery. Additionally, the person in this position will assist in Outreach activities which may occur off-site. This position involves working directly with the public.

The ideal candidate is reliable, a team-player, and has experience learning new subject matter quickly and communicating that information to public audiences. 

This position will assist candidates, campaigns, voters, and members of the public who visit the office, call or email the Department with inquiries about filing for an office, voter registration process, voting options, and other election information. When performing these duties, the person in this position will use the Department’s voter registration database, online tools, website, and other resources to provide information.

In addition to the range of duties assigned to the 1404 job code, https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=1404&setId=COMMN, the person in this position will have the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• Providing election information in English and Chinese in a courteous and professional manner that is free of personal opinion, to customers visiting the Department’s office in City Hall, Room 48, through e-mail, and over the phone, while using several applications simultaneously.

• Assisting customers with navigating the Department’s website and online tools and filing paperwork.

• Reviewing and assessing candidate and ballot measure filing paperwork for completion and accuracy.

• Responding to campaign and voter inquiries and/or redirecting inquiries to the appropriate personnel when needed. 

• Informing voters of their options to participate in the upcoming election and any relevant legal requirements.

• Facilitating observation tours.

• Assisting with the Emergency Ballot Delivery Program, and delivering and picking up ballots.

• Assisting with various clerical tasks such as filing and scanning. 

• Conducting presentations and resource tables at community events throughout San Francisco.

• Assisting in the Election Center on Election Day as needed.

• Assisting with post-election tasks as needed.

Position Schedule, Requirements, and Work Location

This is a seasonal position with the start date contingent upon completion of the hiring process. The Department is looking to have the person in this position start as soon as possible. The end date for the position is approximately second to third week of November 2024. This position requires sitting and standing for prolonged periods, being able to multitask between phone and computer, lifting and moving up to 25 pounds, driving a city vehicle, and going out on the filed for outreach activities.

Work will primarily be on site at the Department of Elections Office at City Hall, San Francisco, California. Driving and field work may be required as needed. Work hours will vary in accordance with the demands of the election cycle and will range between 40 and 60 hours per week. Although most work is expected to be completed during normal workday hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, employees must be available to work overtime both during the week and on weekends as necessary. Overtime hours will be paid at 1.5 the hourly rate.

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 policies, refer to the Employee Handbook available at https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Employee-Handbook.pdf

Position Salary: $30.0125 to $36.475 hourly

$62,426 to $75,868 annually

Minimum Qualifications:

One (1) year 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• A demonstrated strong work ethic and high level of integrity

• Experience providing excellent customer service

• Experience accurately entering data and using computer software

• Flexibility and tolerance for occasional long hours

• Ability to maintain enthusiasm, patience, and a positive demeanor

• Applicants must have a valid California driver's license and a clean DMV record.

Additional Requirement: These positions require a valid California driver’s license and a clean DMV record. Successful candidates will be required to show their valid CA driver’s license and provide a copy of their latest DMV record before an offer can be made. Additionally, the person in this position must be proficient in English and Chinese.

To be considered for this position, applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. September 18, 2024.

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 (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)

• Conviction History

• Employee Benefits Overview  (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)  

• Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)  

• Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)

• ADA Accommodation

• Veterans Preference (http://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#veteranspreference)

• Right to Work

• Copies of Application Documents (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#copies)

• 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.