Technical Proofreader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 English 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 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.

Candidates for the Proofreader position MUST have:

• Experience editing, proofreading, or copyediting English text, whether in a paid, educational, or volunteer capacity
• 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, 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.

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 www.smcacre.gov.