Election Materials Proofreader - English Language Skills

About the role

The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division is seeking full-time seasonal extra-help Election Materials Proofreaders for the upcoming November 3, 2026, Statewide General Election. This is a nonpartisan opportunity to be involved in the election process.

Responsibilities

• Proofread and copyedit election materials leading up to established election deadlines.
• Review, edit, and proofread documents for accuracy, context, readability, and syntax.
• Work remotely using equipment provided by the Registration & Elections Division.
• Towards the end of the assignment, work two days on-site for final proofs of physical material.

Requirements

• Experience editing, proofreading, or copyediting English text.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel.
• Strong technical skills, including the ability to troubleshoot software and hardware problems, research problems and solutions, and learn new software and procedures quickly.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in proofreading, editing, journalism, literature, or another related field. Technical Writing Certificate or other related certification preferred.
• Work Experience: At least six months of experience proofreading documents in the target language (English).
• Professional background in proofreading, editing, journalism, creative or technical writing, or another related field.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote.
• Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive.
• Experience with or ability to learn Microsoft Teams or equivalent video-conferencing software.
• The ability to prioritize work, coordinate several activities simultaneously, organize and maintain accurate files and records, use spreadsheets to track files and task progress, and understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Strong organization and time management skills are essential.

Skills

• The ability to prioritize work, coordinate several activities simultaneously, organize and maintain accurate files and records, use spreadsheets to track files and task progress, and understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Strong organization and time management skills are essential.

Benefits

This is an extra-help, at-will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Extra help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment.

Pay

The hourly wage for this position starts at $33.44.

Schedule

Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. These positions WILL require weekend and evening work assignments, sometimes with short notice.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in proofreading, editing, journalism, literature, or another related field. Technical Writing Certificate or other related certification preferred.
• Work Experience: At least six months of experience proofreading documents in the target language (English).
• Professional background in proofreading, editing, journalism, creative or technical writing, or another related field.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote.
• Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive.
• Experience with or ability to learn Microsoft Teams or equivalent video-conferencing software.
• The ability to prioritize work, coordinate several activities simultaneously, organize and maintain accurate files and records, use spreadsheets to track files and task progress, and understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Strong organization and time management skills are essential.