Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering as a community ambassador with the Social Services Agency can provide you with an opportunity to:

• Experience firsthand what it's like to work in a fast-paced public assistance agency;
• Receive valuable training on workplace conduct, customer service, and more;
• Practice your skills and learn some new ones;
• Meet and work alongside others who share your passion for improving the community;
• Open your eyes and your heart to new personal and professional experiences;
• Learn more about our Agency and its myriad services;
• Uplift the spirits of those who are in greatest need.

Because community ambassadors are an essential part of our team, we will strive to ensure that you:

• Are engaged in assignments that are worthwhile and challenging;
• Receive the training and supervision to do the job -- and do it well;
• Receive useful feedback and evaluation on the work performed; and
• Feel that your efforts have real purpose and contribute to the Agency's mission.

Unless otherwise specified, Community Ambassadors must be:

• 18 years and older;
• Not a current SSA client receiving cash benefits, and
• Not a current employee of the Alameda County Social Services Agency or the County of Alameda.

For the safety and well-being of the public, Agency staff, and Community Ambassadors, and to ensure that all Community Ambassadors are prepared to perform their job responsibilities, the selection, orientation, and training process is as follows:

1. Submit a Volunteer Form. You will be contacted within 2 business days to discuss your interests and possible opportunities. You will also be provided additional information on required forms, orientation, training, and background screening.
2. Attend the mandatory orientation. The CAP coordinator will advise you of upcoming sessions and locations; orientations are offered periodically throughout the year. Sessions may be held at different SSA locations and at community sites throughout the month during the week and on Saturday mornings.
3. Submit the application and required forms. These items will be distributed at the orientation, or we can mail them to you in advance. The application is designed to capture your skills, interests, goals, and availability for participating as a Community Ambassador to help determine a possible placement and schedule. It is also an opportunity for us to gather important contact and emergency information. Candidates under 18 will need to provide parental consent.

If your application is found to have any misrepresentation or omission of fact, it may cause your disqualification and/or immediate termination from the program. If other concerns emerge from the review of your application, these concerns will be addressed during your interview.

Forms to be submitted by the candidate:

1. Application 
2. Participation agreement
3. Review/acknowledgement of job description and risk assessment for the position(s) that you are interested in. These forms will be emailed or mailed to you; they are not online due to the changing availability of positions.
   
   Return forms via mail to:
   Attn: SSA Community Ambassadors Program Coordinator / worker A007
   Alameda County Social Services Agency
   2000 San Pablo Ave, 4th floor
   Oakland CA 94612
4. If required by the specific department(s), you may be requested to complete a phone or in-person interview. The CAP coordinator will facilitate interview scheduling. Due to the popularity of some opportunities, not all interested applicants may be placed in the desired position.
5. Each candidate must consent to and undergo a criminal background check (Live Scan fingerprinting). A criminal record will not necessarily disqualify a candidate from placement; however, additional information may be requested to determine suitability of placement. Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness. You will be informed of the process and location after you have successfully completed the above elements. SSA provides this service at a designated location in Oakland. Results must be received and reviewed prior to start of placement. The cost is covered by SSA.
6. Prior to the start of your assignment, you will need to be photographed and assigned an ID badge. The program coordinator will work with you to identify an appointment date and time. Badges are processed at only one office location (2000 San Pablo Ave in Oakland).

Attendance at an orientation is required for participation as a volunteer with the Community Ambassadors Program.

Topics to be covered include:

• Overview of SSA structure, leadership, mission, values, and goals
• Overview of the Community Ambassadors Program
• Standards of conduct and expectations for community ambassadors
• Prevention of sexual harassment
• Understanding and preventing violence in the workplace
• Personal identifiable information

Interested in attending a session?  Contact the Program Coordinator.

Self-Sufficiency Center Waiting Rooms

Hundreds of customers pass daily through the doors of the waiting rooms. Customers may be coming into the office for the first time and are unsure of what they are applying for and where they should go. Others may be inquiring about their existing benefits. It is the priority of the Agency to provide responsive, effective, and timely service to all. As a Community Ambassador, you will play a crucial role in helping customers feel welcome and at ease.

Locations:

• Eastmont Self-Sufficiency Center: 6955 Foothill Blvd, Suite 100, Oakland 94605
• Eden Area Multi-Service Center: 24100 Amador St, Hayward 94544
• Thomas L. Berkley Square (North Oakland): 2000 San Pablo Ave, Oakland 94612 (2 blocks from 19th St BART station)
• Fremont Office:  39155 Liberty St, Ste C330, Fremont 94536
  
  

Minimum participation requirements:

• Age 18 and older
• 1 shift per week (2-4 hours) for 3 months minimum
  
  

Typical duties:

• Greet clients and provide directional assistance, escort clients to location as needed;
• Assist clients with operating in-house phones, photocopying machines, and self-service kiosks;
• Support public awareness efforts on behalf of Agency programs and/or services;
• Pass out Agency flyers / handouts to customers;
• Voter registration outreach

May I choose the program and location where I want to serve as a Community Ambassador?
Yes, as long as there is an opening and you meet the position’s requirements. Due to the popularity of some opportunities, not all interested applicants can be accommodated.

May I set my own hours?
Community Ambassador assignments will typically take place during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. On occasion, there may be opportunities for Community Ambassadors to assist at weekend events. Some programs may have the flexibility to tailor to your schedule while others may require a more structured schedule.

Am I required to volunteer a certain number of hours?
Due to the amount of training required, most positions will have a minimum time commitment. Please see the specific job descriptions for requirements.

May I bring along a friend or family member to my Community Ambassador activities?
Only authorized personnel are allowed in non-public or staff areas. Friends or family may not accompany you on your Community Ambassador assignment, unless they have also been officially accepted as Community Ambassadors for an assignment. However, some of our opportunities will allow for Community Ambassadors to work in pairs or teams, so you and your friend/family member may want to consider signing up together.

Will I receive any reimbursement for my travel or personal expenses associated with my participation as a Community Ambassador?
Community Ambassadors are responsible for their own transportation and parking costs to and from their work site. Each facility has different arrangements for parking. You will be informed in advance of parking availability or conditions at the location, prior to the start of your assignment. Community Ambassadors will need to be responsible for their own meals if their scheduled assignment for the day includes a lunch break.

May I participate in more than one service opportunity?
Yes - we encourage it! For example, you may wish to serve as a Community Ambassador on a continuing basis in one program and participate on an on-call basis in special events throughout the year.

May I use my Community Ambassador experience on my resume or job applications?
Prospective employers and educational institutions may be interested in your Community Ambassador experience. However, before listing your Community Ambassador experience on applications or providing an SSA staff member’s contact information as a reference, please consult the SSA Community Ambassador Program Coordinator at (510) 271-9163.