Election Materials Proofreader - Bilingual English/Chinese Skills (Open)

Election Materials Proofreader

PEOPLE FIRST Conduct fair, accurate, and transparent elections to increase public participation and confidence.

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

We are currently seeking dedicated and hard-working individuals for the position of Proofreader. Proofreaders will be hired into one of four language-based teams (English, Chinese, Filipino, or Spanish). This announcement is for Chinese (Mandarin) proofreaders.

All Proofreaders will be responsible for proofreading and copyediting election materials leading up to established election deadlines. Proofreaders will review, edit, and proofread documents in traditional Mandarin Chinese for accuracy, context, readability, and syntax.

Proofreaders will work remotely using equipment provided by the Registration & Elections Division. Towards the end of the assignment, two days of on-site work will be required for final proofs of physical material.

Important: Per County policy, employees of the County of San Mateo must reside in California.

Examples of projects and materials needing to be proofread include, but are not limited to:

• Sample Ballot & Voter Information Pamphlet
• Official Ballot
• Remote Accessible Vote by Mail system
• Website content
• Legal documents
• Letters, flyers, postcards, and other notices to voters

The Elections Materials Proofreader is classified as an Office Specialist. The hourly wage for this position starts at $33.44.

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.

Qualifications

Candidates for the Proofreader position MUST have:

• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel
• Strong technical skills, including the ability to perform basic troubleshooting for software and hardware problems, the ability to research problems and solutions, and the ability to learn new software and procedures quickly

Ideal Candidates for the Proofreader positions will have the following:

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in proofreading, editing, journalism, translating, literature, or another related field.

Technical writing certificate or other related certification (preferred).

Work Experience:

• At least six months of experience proofreading documents and/or translating in the target language (English, Chinese, Filipino or Spanish).
• Professional background in proofreading, editing, journalism, translating, creative or technical writing, or another related field.

Technical Skills:

• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote.
• Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint and One Drive.
• Experience with or ability to learn Microsoft Teams or equivalent video-conferencing software.

Critical Skills for all Election Materials Proofreader Office Specialist positions:

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.

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. The selected individuals MUST be available for the entire employment period until the completion of their assignment for the November 3, 2026, Statewide General Election.

The Elections Division is an exciting, fast-paced environment, especially as elections approach. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a group of dynamic, well-organized, and highly efficient individuals committed to the democratic process. More information about the organization is available on the Elections Division website

Application/Examination

Interviews for this position will be conducted remotely over Microsoft Teams. The interview portion will include a test of proofreading skill. The test will require the use of Microsoft Word or equivalent software.

This is an extra-help recruitment. Anyone may apply. To apply you must complete the San Mateo County Application Form.

Important: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted five days in advance on this job announcement.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

Application Screening: June 15-26, 2026

Interviews: June 29-July 10, 2026

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.