Community Health Assistant Intern - $24

Organizational Summary: 

San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) envisions a future where health justice is achieved for all people living with or at risk for HIV. Ultimately, we strive for a day when race is not a barrier to health and wellness, substance use is not stigmatized, HIV status does not determine quality of life, and HIV transmission is eliminated. 

Our mission is to promote health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV through sexual health and substance use services, advocacy, and partnership. 

Our strategic plan includes an articulation of its five key values, which are the foundation for its work and its employees:  Justice, Dignity, Courage, Leadership and Excellence. We need passionate agents of social change, vanguards of public health, and practitioners of racial justice to join our fight. 

Position Overview: 
 
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the San Francisco Department of Public Health have partnered to launch the Health Access Point Program, a community-based initiative rooted in the wellness of underserved communities of color to create low-barrier pathways to accessing HIV and STI care. This program prioritizes self-determination, pride, self-esteem, collaboration, community involvement, and holistic wellness, while addressing the underlying social determinants of health that contribute to persistent health disparities within African American, BIPOC, Trans/GNC, Latine and Youth communities.  

Services are intentionally informed by the lived experiences of those impacted by poverty, unemployment, mass incarceration, lack of affordable housing, homelessness, generational trauma, systemic racism, and the failure of traditional healthcare systems to meet the needs of Black and marginalized populations. Additionally, the program seeks to dismantle stigma surrounding HIV status, gender and sexual identity, and substance use—especially as these issues intersect with race and socio-economic inequities.  
 

The Community Health Assistants Program will participate in a robust sexual health clinical training program through the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and capacity building through various San Francisco Health Access Points. Community Health Assistants Interns will gain hands-on experience by working alongside holistic sexual health clinicians, health navigators, laboratory technicians and community program staff—experts in HIV prevention, treatment, and community-based advocacy.  

This program offers a unique opportunity for individuals to contribute to health equity efforts, engage directly with impacted communities, and develop real-world skills in sexual and public health service delivery. Interns will be part of a transformative and supportive learning environment that empowers them to make a meaningful impact on community health.  
 

• The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and communities.  

• This is a part-time, temporary position spanning 24 weeks (dependent on participant availability). Community Health Assistants Interns generally work 3 half-day shifts per week (about 12–20 hours weekly), with some flexibility for evening or weekend shifts to support community programming.  

• This position includes a mandatory week-long HIV/Hepatitis C Test Counselor Training (date to be confirmed for 2026), scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day. 

Essential Duties:  

• As a Community Health Assistants Intern, you will receive hands-on training and gain practical experience in a variety of community health and clinical support areas, including:  

• Harm Reduction principles and practices that promote safer and more equitable care  

• HIV and STI test counseling and rapid testing procedures  

• Motivational interviewing and group facilitation skills to support client engagement  

• Community organizing to address health disparities and improve access to care  

• Community-centered clinical administration and program coordination  

• Community engagement programming and outreach activities  

• Participation in the HIV/HCV/STI and Overdose Prevention Test Counselor Training (provided by the San Francisco Department of Public Health)  

• Substance use support and response strategies grounded in harm reduction  

• Hands-on experience providing client-centered care—from intake and counseling to health navigation  

• Opportunities to develop and contribute to evidence-based sexual health programs for underrepresented communities  

• Mentorship and individualized learning opportunities tailored to your interests and professional goals  

• Career development and coaching to prepare for future roles in public health or clinical care 

Requirements For Community Health Assistants Certificate of Completion:  

• Completion of pre-training period (covering 12+ in-person trainings)  

• Completion and attainment of HIV/HEP-C Test Counselor Training (SFDPH)  

• Completion of (minimum) 40 hours of hand-on experience with SFAF programs  

• Completion of (minimum) 40 hours of hand-on experience with Strut clinic  

• Maintaining good standing and attendance with the program 

Other Responsibilities: 
 

• Other duties as assigned  

Qualifications:

• Must be available for week-long training in 2026 (date will be announced before onboarding date) (Monday-Friday) 9am-5:30pm for a mandatory state certified HIV/ HEP-C test counselor training.

• Must have regular schedule availability to work 12 hours (min) – 20 hours (max) per week; must be available for at least three four-hour shifts during the week. Potential for some shifts to fall on evenings or weekends. 

• Ability to operate a computer with proficiency in common software like Microsoft Office or Google Workspace for tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Ability to use both email and phone for professional communication.  

• This position will have access to protected health information (PHI) and may only access, use or disclose the minimum information necessary to perform their designated role on behalf of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, regardless of the extent of access provided. 

Compensation: $24 Per Hour 
 
Direct Reports:  None  

Physical Requirements: 

• Skill in operating office equipment such as a personal computer, copy machine and telephone system. Ability to perform routine bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be comfortable standing on feet for extended periods of time, often at least 6 hours.  

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent.  

• Ability to work comfortably with many different communities and stakeholders; practices cultural humility, exhibits sensitivity to issues concerning HIV. Responds efficiently and cordially to requests for service and assistance.

• Extensive participation in the lived experiences and cultural contexts of African American communities, Queer and Transgender People of Color (QTPOC), and African American same-gender loving people is highly regarded.

• Extensive participation in the lived experiences and cultural contexts of LGBTQIA, Queer and Transgender People of Color (QTPOC), and same gender loving people is highly regarded. 

This position will have access to protected health information (PHI) and may only access, use or disclose the minimum information necessary to perform their designated role on behalf of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, regardless of the extent of access provided.   

Work Environment:  

This position is primarily located at 940 Howard and 470 Castro, San Francisco, however it may occasionally require traveling to other office locations or off-site meetings as required by the job. Role may include evening and weekend coverage. 

May require evening and weekend work.  

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for personnel so classified.  

   
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation s an Equal Opportunity employer. We actively seek applications from people living with HIV/AIDS, people with disabilities, women, LGBTQ individuals and people of color. 

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

Application Process: 

Please visit our careers page at:  

http://www.sfaf.org/about-us/careers/ 

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE