Community Relations Specialist

About Cardea Health:  

Cardea Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate health care to marginalized populations. Our mission is to create and support programs that protect the health and autonomy of vulnerable individuals and promote equity and social justice to improve the well-being of our entire community. We provide medical support to populations that experience homelessness.  

At Cardea, we are dedicated to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and actively seeks to include underrepresented communities. We believe that diversity drives innovation and fosters a more dynamic, inclusive, and productive work environment. We actively encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for our open positions. We value your unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, and we are committed to providing equitable opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us in building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our society and let's make a positive impact together. 

Primary Work Location:

Timmy's Home (supportive housing site) & surrounding neighborhood (downtown Oakland)  

Job Summary:  

We are opening a new site in a community and are in need of a dedicated team member to help build our relationships with the surrounding community. The success of this new location depends on our ability to integrate into the neighborhood with genuine care, respect, and partnership. This is where the Community Relations Specialist comes in. 

You will be the face of Cardea Health in this community: connecting with business owners and local residents, listening to their needs, and helping us build a foundation of trust and collaboration. Your work will help ensure that our presence is welcome and that we become a true partner—not an outsider. 

This full-time role is hands-on and relationship-driven. You’ll be out in the neighborhood every day, engaging directly with people and organizations to understand how Cardea Health can best support them and integrate into their neighborhood. Your ability to build authentic connections and communicate with empathy will be essential to our mission. The role will also include liaising with city council member offices and city administration to establish and maintain strong partnerships with municipal leaders and departments.  

Job Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Maintain a consistent, visible presence in the neighborhood—building relationships through conversation, trust, and reliability 

• Actively engage with local business owners, residents, government representatives and other community stakeholders 

• Identify emerging concerns or conflicts and lead de-escalation efforts with empathy and professionalism 

• Help resolve misunderstandings or challenges that arise around our presence or services, and work with internal teams to address them constructively 

• Collect and relay community feedback to inform how Cardea Health shows up in the neighborhood 

• Represent Cardea Health at community meetings and public events 

• Track and document outreach efforts, feedback, and areas of tension or opportunity 

Minimum Skills and Qualifications: 

• Experience in community engagement, advocacy, public affairs, or similar fields 

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly and genuinely 

• Comfortable working independently and navigating complex social situations with empathy and professionalism 

• A commitment to social equity and working alongside historically marginalized populations 

• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends from time to time 

Preferred Skills and Qualifications 

• Background working in political, grassroots, or community organizing environments is a strong plus 

• Candidates who are bilingual or multilingual, particularly in Cantonese or Mandarin—are strongly encouraged to apply

Who You Are 

• A natural connector who believes in the power of community and collaboration 

• An active listener who knows how to build trust and foster positive relationships