Voting Center Voter Guide San Francisco Department of Elections (1404 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 Voting Center Voter Guides (1404 Clerk).

Under general supervision, employees in these positions provide direct assistance to voters at the Department's Voting Center and help facilitate the orderly and efficient flow of voters through the voting process. Voter Guides assist voters in navigating the Voting Center, assess the services being requested and direct voters to the appropriate service area or process, respond to questions regarding voting services and procedures, and resolve routine voter-service issues by applying established Department procedures and guidelines.

Employees in these positions must learn and apply election-related procedures and information in a short period of time and communicate that information clearly and accurately to voters. Voter Guides are expected to exercise judgment in applying established procedures to varying voter circumstances, determine the appropriate response within established guidelines, and recognize matters that require referral to designated staff. The position requires strong customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to remain attentive, patient, and professional while assisting a high volume of voters in a fast-paced public environment.

Depending on operational needs, employees may also be assigned to assist with ballot drop box collection, Voting Center setup and closing activities, and other election and post-election tasks.

In addition to the range of duties assigned to the 1404 Clerk classification, https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=1404&setId=COMMN, employees in these positions may perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

1. Respond to voter questions regarding registration, voting options, ballot return, and Voting Center services by applying established election procedures and guidelines.
2. Assess the nature of the service requested by a voter and direct the voter to the appropriate Voting Center service area, process, or staff based on established procedures.
3. Manage voter flow and lines within and around the Voting Center to support orderly and efficient operations.
4. Explain Voting Center processes, requirements, and available voting services to voters and provide instructions appropriate to the voter's circumstances.
5. Assist voters who are dropping off their voted ballots.
6. Collect voted ballots from designated ballot drop boxes according to established Department procedures.
7. Assist with the setup, placement, monitoring, and removal of Voting Center signs and other voter information materials.
8. Address routine voter-service questions and issues within established guidelines and identify non-routine or complex matters requiring referral to supervisory or other designated Department staff.
9. Monitor voter flow and service needs and communicate operational issues, recurring voter questions, or circumstances requiring additional assistance to appropriate Department staff.
10. Assist with maintaining an organized, accessible, and welcoming Voting Center environment.
11. Perform other voter-service, election-related, and post-election tasks as assigned based on operational needs.

The position requires prolonged periods of standing and walking and the ability to lift, pull, or push items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Position Schedule and Hours:

Employees hired for this position may have different start dates based on the Department's operational needs. Tentative start dates will range from October 5, 2026 to October 30, 2026.

Work hours are generally 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, schedules will vary based on the demands of the election cycle and may range from 20 to 40 hours per week. Candidates must be available to work flexible schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, Election Day, and overtime, as required by operational needs. Overtime hours are paid at 1.5 the hourly rate.

Work will primarily be performed on site at the Department of Elections Voting Center at City Hall in San Francisco. Employees may also be assigned to the Department’s Warehouse at Pier 31 or other election-related work at locations throughout San Francisco based on operational needs.

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 may be eligible for health coverage and retirement benefits. For more information on the City and County of San Francisco benefit policies, refer to the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/benefits/.

Position Salary: $32.1625 per hour

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

The ideal candidate will have:

1. Experience providing customer service or direct assistance to members of the public.
2. Strong verbal communication and active-listening skills.
3. Ability to learn and accurately communicate new procedures and information within a short period of time.
4. Ability to provide courteous, patient, and professional service to individuals with varying needs and circumstances.
5. Ability to interpret and apply established procedures and guidelines to different circumstances and determine an appropriate course of action.
6. Ability to exercise sound judgment in resolving routine issues and recognizing matters requiring escalation or additional assistance.
7. Ability to remain organized and attentive while assisting a high volume of voters in a fast-paced environment.
8. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
9. Dependability, punctuality, flexibility, and ability to adapt to changing operational needs.
10. Ability to maintain a positive and professional demeanor during extended periods of public interaction.
11. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during Voting Center operations.

To be considered for this position, applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., September 4, 2026.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Elections Hiring Team at [email protected].

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.