Community Engagement Coordinator, San Joaquin County, CA

GiveDirectly has delivered more than $1B in cash directly to 2+ million people living in poverty across 15 countries since 2011. We believe cash transfers are one of the most scalable, cost-effective, and dignified forms of aid, with the research to back it up. Our work has been covered by The Economist, NPR, TED, and The Washington Post. We are one of Time100’s Most Influential Companies of 2026.

Our culture is candid, analytical, and non-hierarchical. We support high ownership and real professional growth. Curious about what it's really like to work here? Read our values and hear from the people who do. If they resonate, this could be a great fit!

About this role

Since 2017, GiveDirectly has provided cash relief to low-income Americans affected by disasters. Between 2020 and 2021, we distributed $200M to 200,000 households in response to the COVID-19 crisis - 100% remotely. In 2021, GiveDirectly launched a permanent U.S. team to implement cash programs in disaster response and guaranteed income. As part of this effort, we launched the largest guaranteed income program focused on Black women in the U.S., and administered two of the largest government-funded GI programs in the country in Chicago, IL and Cook County, IL.

GiveDirectly is implementing one of the first government-funded guaranteed income pilots in the country specifically designed to address housing instability among older adults. Cash Assistance for Senior Housing in San Joaquin County (CASH SJC), is a program aimed at supporting housing unstable seniors by providing monthly unconditional cash payments. This program will be a randomized controlled trial evaluated by a third-party research partner. The program is funded by the California Department of Social Services and implemented in partnership with local partners in San Joaquin County.

Seniors are the fastest-growing group of people experiencing homelessness in the United States, yet guaranteed income pilots have rarely centered older adults or the specific housing pressures they face. CASH SJC addresses that gap.

Community Engagement Coordinators (CECs) will support GiveDirectly's work on the CASH SJC program. As a member of the San Joaquin County-based team, you will support outreach to likely eligible applicants, assist with verification of applicant eligibility, directly support applicants through the application and enrollment process (virtually and in person), respond to community partner questions about the program, use tools such as benefits protection resources to help applicants make informed decisions about participating, support program staff in engaging applicants throughout the application and enrollment process, and perform other duties as assigned.

Location Requirement: Must currently reside in San Joaquin County, CA (or within 30 miles), or should have plans to reside in San Joaquin County, CA (or within 30 miles) starting July 2026. While some of the work may be done remotely, you will be asked to support in-person activities throughout the County for the duration of the project.

You must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application; we are unable to sponsor international candidates for this position.

Job Type: Part-time. The number of hours will vary, up to 29 hours per week. This is a project-based position, which means it is contingent upon funding. This position will have a fixed term of 4 months (subject to project timeline).

Reports to: Program Associate

Travel Requirement: This position requires local travel

What you’ll do:

• Clearly communicate complex information
• Maintain confidentiality
• Conduct phone/email outreach to applicants
• Provide high-quality customer service to all applicants you interact with
• Answer questions and provide information to assist applicants in submitting required documentation, making an informed decision about participating in the program, and enrolling in the program
• Review documentation from applicants to confirm their eligibility for the program
• Assist with scheduled in-person enrollment events throughout San Joaquin County
• Use a benefits counseling tool to help recipients understand any potential effect on their benefits
• Conduct other programmatic/logistical tasks, where required
• Collaborate with the team on ways to improve processes for applicants
• Enroll sensitive populations in our program virtually as well as in person

What you’ll bring:

• Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem-solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve.
• Language Requirement: English
• Strong customer service instincts, including skilled problem solving, patience, and high emotional intelligence
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to show respect and openness toward someone whose social and cultural background is different from one’s own – CECs will be the face of our program for recipients/community partners and will need to approach all communications and interactions with an eye toward delivering the best possible experience for recipients.
• Great communication skills – CECs will explain the program and process to recipients and collect and discuss potentially sensitive information about income and government benefits. Discretion and good judgment are paramount.
• Technological literacy – CECs will need fluency and comfort using computers and tablets.
• Fast learner – CECs must learn the complexities of our operations, and communicate those to applicants.
• Experience with customer service or in a client-facing role is a plus.
• Experience Working with Senior Populations
• Proficiency in Excel
• Ability to travel locally

Nice to Have

• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Spanish and/or other common languages in San Joaquin County is a plus.
• Experience working with older adults or other vulnerable populations, particularly in roles requiring patience, clear communication, and understanding of age-related needs and perspectives
• Understanding of age-related barriers to technology, including comfort coaching seniors through digital platforms, mobile applications, etc.
• Experience supporting individuals experiencing housing instability or homelessness, with an understanding of the unique vulnerabilities and needs this creates
• Knowledge of California's senior benefit landscape (SSI/SSP, IHSS, CalFresh, Medicare/Medi-Cal)
• We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve.

Why work at GiveDirectly?

At GiveDirectly, we work to ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your role and on your team, including:

• A positive and supportive team
• A demonstrated commitment to helping all staff develop and grow
• Competitive pay

Read more about our ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts here and about our decision to move our central support teams to remote first here.

About the hiring process

Format: The hiring process follows the same general outline for all open roles:

First interview (45 mins)
Panel interview (1 hour)*
Reference checks (30 mins each)

Working at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Flagging for US applicants: We invite you to "Know Your Rights" as an applicant.

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization working with communities to eliminate extreme poverty, GiveDirectly takes the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners seriously. To that end, GiveDirectly is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and will systematically check with previous employers about any abuse or misconduct related matters involving potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.

These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we work with, and prevent abuse to our recipients and staff.

**GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect people and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance when it comes to preventing, reporting, or responding to any form of abuse or exploitation.” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.**

Reasonable Accommodations

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the role, please email us at careers@givedirectly.org with the email subject “Accommodation Needed”. We will work with you to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to support your needs.

Want to put your best foot forward on your GiveDirectly application? Take a look at our Candidate Application Prep Guide!