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 Retriever Drivers (1402 Junior Clerk).

Under immediate supervision, employees in these positions perform driving, ballot retrieval, transportation, and basic clerical duties in support of the Department's ballot retrieval operations. Ballot Retriever Drivers travel to assigned ballot drop box locations throughout San Francisco to retrieve voted ballots and securely transport them to designated Department facilities according to established procedures and assigned routes.

Employees work in teams and work with San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs who provide security during ballot retrieval. Employees are responsible for safely operating assigned City vehicles, following assigned routes and retrieval instructions, handling and transporting ballots according to established chain-of-custody procedures, using smartphones for navigation and communication, and completing required retrieval records and documentation.

Employees also visually inspect assigned ballot drop boxes and surrounding areas for observable damage, tampering, obstructions, or other issues and document and report observed conditions to the Ballot Retrieval Operations Clerk or supervisor. Employees may perform routine cleaning or minor upkeep of ballot drop boxes as specifically directed.

In addition to the range of duties assigned to the 1402 Junior Clerk classification (1402-Junior Clerk | City and County of San Francisco), employees in these positions may perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

1. Retrieve voted ballots from assigned ballot drop box locations according to established collection and chain-of-custody procedures.
2. Safely operate an assigned City vehicle to travel between designated ballot drop box locations and transport retrieved ballots to designated Department facilities.
3. Follow assigned routes, schedules, and instructions provided for each ballot retrieval assignment.
4. Handle, secure, and transport retrieved ballots according to established chain-of-custody and ballot security procedures.
5. Complete required ballot retrieval logs, chain-of-custody forms, and other routine documentation according to established procedures.
6. Visually inspect assigned ballot drop boxes and surrounding areas for observable damage, tampering, obstructions, or other conditions requiring attention.
7. Photograph, document, and promptly report observed ballot drop box conditions or other issues to designated Department staff according to established procedures.
8. Perform routine cleaning or minor upkeep of ballot drop boxes as directed.
9. Use a smartphone and navigation applications to locate assigned ballot drop boxes and communicate with Department staff while in the field.
10. Load, unload, carry, and move ballot containers, election materials, and supplies associated with assigned retrieval duties.
11. Promptly report delays, vehicle issues, retrieval issues, or other circumstances affecting the assigned route to designated Department staff.
12. Work cooperatively with assigned team members and San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs during ballot retrieval operations.
13. Assist with Voting Center line management, polling place support, Poll Worker Dispatch operations, or other Election Day assignments as needed.
14. Perform other basic clerical, election-related, and post-election tasks as assigned based on operational needs.

City vehicles, phones, official badges, and safety vests will be provided.

Position Schedule, Requirements, and Work Location

Employees hired for this position may have different start dates based on the Department's operational needs, with tentative start dates ranging from October 20 through October 28, 2026. The tentative end date will be between November 4 and November 13, 2026. Actual start and end dates will depend on the Department's operational needs.

Work will primarily be performed in the field at ballot drop box locations and other election-related locations throughout San Francisco. Employees will report to City Hall to receive assignments, vehicles, equipment, and other materials as directed.

Training and Assignment Schedule:

The following mandatory paid training will be provided:

1. In-person training covering defensive driving and City vehicle requirements.
2. In-person training covering ballot retrieval duties, ballot security, and chain-of-custody procedures.
3. In-person vehicle and route-driving training.
4. On-site training covering ballot drop box procedures, ballot removal, inspection, routine cleaning, and minor upkeep.

Employees will be assigned ballot retrieval routes and schedules based on operational needs. Election Day, November 3, 2026, will involve an extended work assignment, and employees must be available to work until assigned ballot retrieval operations are completed.

Work hours 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 times the regular hourly rate.

Work will involve extensive driving throughout San Francisco, frequent entry into and exit from an assigned vehicle, and repeated loading, unloading, lifting, and carrying of ballot containers and related materials. Employees must be comfortable driving for extended periods while safely navigating City streets and completing assigned retrieval routes.

The position requires prolonged periods of sitting while driving, frequent use of hands and arms while handling ballot containers and materials, and the ability to lift and handle items weighing up to 50 pounds.

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 Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/benefits/.

Position Salary: $29.55 per hour

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience: 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: Any one of the following may substitute for the required experience:

Completion of 15 semester units (or equivalent quarter units) of coursework from an accredited college or university; OR

Completion of a clerical training program (240 hours); OR

Completion of an approved City and County of San Francisco Clerical Administrative Training program.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

1. Experience driving and parking regularly throughout San Francisco.
2. Strong knowledge of San Francisco streets and neighborhoods or demonstrated ability to navigate efficiently using navigation applications.
3. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, assigned routes, retrieval schedules, and chain-of-custody procedures accurately.
4. Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately complete routine logs, forms, and other required documentation.
5. Ability to work independently in the field and cooperatively with an assigned team member while maintaining regular communication with Department staff.
6. Dependability, punctuality, and a strong commitment to ballot security and safe driving.
7. Ability to remain attentive and organized while completing repetitive retrieval assignments and working extended hours.
8. Experience using smartphones, navigation applications, and electronic forms.
9. Ability to work effectively and professionally with Department staff, assigned team members, San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs, and members of the public.
10. Basic knowledge of how to respond to common vehicle issues, such as a dead battery or flat tire.

Additional Requirements

Because driving and the physical retrieval of ballots are essential functions of this assignment, applicants must:

1. Have a valid California driver's license and a driving record that meets the requirements below.
   1. Have no more than 2 points within the last 3 years and no more than 1 point within the last year.
   2. Have no DUI, reckless driving, or endangerment violations within the last 10 years.
2. Be comfortable safely operating a minivan, cargo van, or other assigned City vehicle for extended periods throughout San Francisco.
3. Be able to safely navigate San Francisco streets and locate assigned ballot drop box locations.
4. Be able to use a smartphone for navigation and communication.
5. Be comfortable driving for extended periods throughout the workday.
6. Be able to work cooperatively with an assigned retrieval team member in the same vehicle for extended periods.
7. Be able to lift and handle ballot containers, election supplies, and other materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

Successful candidates will be required to present a valid California Driver's License and provide a copy of their current DMV driving record before an offer of employment can be made.

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.