Community Ambassador

POSITION:   COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR

RESPONSIBLE TO: Housing Services Director, Community Health Home

COMMITMENT (HOURS): Part-Time, up to 20 hours per week

STATUS: Per Diem, Non-Exempt (3 months orientation period)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled

Family Bridges, Inc. in Oakland is looking for a Community Ambassador to join our Ambassador Program team. The Ambassador Program is a new pilot program designed to instill a welcoming, caring, vibrant and safe community in Oakland Chinatown. Integral to the neighborhood’s health, wellness and public safety, our ambassador work is a catalyst for fostering, building and bridging community relationships for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background. Successful candidates thrive in a positive, team-driven environment, are skilled in encouraging and promoting an environment that is strength based, and is committed to working with and treating persons facing houselessness, substance abuse, and/or mental health issues with respect and dignity.

JOB SUMMARY: Community Ambassadors, members of the Ambassador Program team, provide consistent and visible relationship building through providing essential community services outdoors throughout the Oakland Chinatown area. Community Ambassadors collaborate with other ambassadors, and work closely with and under the direct supervision of the Housing Services Director.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Implement outdoor activities to ensure street safety and cleanliness, abate graffiti and address other non-criminal issues (e.g. illegal dumping, sidewalk/street hazards, clogged gutters).
  • Readily mitigate, de-escalate, and defuse tense situations to promote community building.
  • Connect people to resources and address basic need issues (e.g. providing linkages and referrals to social and housing navigation services; obtaining medical and emergency assistance; providing directions; distributing PPE, water, and food).
  • Provide bystander assistance and documentation as well as increase awareness and reporting of hate incidents and crimes.
  • Broker and facilitate genuine mutual respect, appreciation, and relationship building among merchants, workers, residents (including the houseless).
  • Foster peaceful and visible interactions bridging racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Build trusting relationships with the houseless and develop a rapport that leads to acceptance and openness to receiving or seeking help.
  • Model respectful, positive attitudes, strengths based, and restorative approaches.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school education or equivalency.
  • Experience working with individuals who are houseless, dealing with mental health and/or substance abuse.
  • Ability to remain calm, exercise good judgment and promote solutions in crisis situations.
  • Proven ability to communicate effectively with culturally diverse populations and build trust.
  • Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to contribute to positive and productive relationships with other staff members.
  • English language proficiency.
  • Up-to-date medical physical examination, TB clearance, and immunizations, including COVID-19.

PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Associate’s degree, certification, or relevant work experience in a health, social science or related fields such as nursing, psychology, counseling, social work, medical social work.
  • Bilingual English and Chinese or Vietnamese.
  • Work experience in community based outreach or service capacity, or similar setting.
  • Training and/or work experience in de-escalation and diffusing tense situations.
  • Experience integrating motivational interviewing and/or trauma informed care practices.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to communicate clearly with others.
  • Ability to see and hear in order to interact with others.
  • Ability to use a computer as well as smartphone and/or tablet (e.g. iPad).
  • Ability to work outdoors and perform physical activities (cleaning streets, removing graffiti) for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to use cleaning tools (broom, dustpan, rolling garbage can, water hose, paint brushes, spray paint, window squeegee, etc.) and to squat and raise arms.
  • Ability to stand and walk approximately 4 hours throughout the Oakland Chinatown area.
  • To lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
  • Vision 20/20 with correction.

SALARY RANGE: Depends on experience, plus benefits.

TO APPLY: Send, fax or e-mail resume and cover letter to: Human Resources, Family Bridges, Inc.,
168 – 11th Street,  Oakland,   CA 94607,    Fax: (510) 839-2435

Family Bridges, Inc. is a non-profit multi-services community based organization that has been serving the Asian American communities in the East Bay for more than 50 years.  Family Bridges is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.