What are the responsibilities and job description for the Substance Use Navigator Program Lead position at CARDEA HEALTH?
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:
Multisite staff work across several program locations throughout Alameda County, providing care and support wherever it is most needed. These sites offer a range of services, including post-hospitalization medically supported shelter, medical respite care, skilled nursing, and caregiving support.
Job Summary:
The SUN Program Lead will oversee the operational, staff-facing, and client-centered components of Cardea Health’s Substance Use Navigator (SUN) program. This role is responsible for supervising a team of peer navigators with lived experience, ensuring high-quality service delivery across multiple sites, and developing the systems, training, and support structures needed to sustain and grow the program. The program lead will balance hands-on field supervision with program development tasks such as scheduling, case conferencing, workflow design, and workforce development.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
Program Oversight & Workforce Development (70%)
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Supervise and support SUNs across multiple program sites, providing coaching, reflective supervision, and debriefing in the field.
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Coordinate daily scheduling and deployment of SUNs to ensure adequate coverage across shelters, clinics, and outreach settings.
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Develop and lead onboarding, monthly training, and professional development activities rooted in harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care.
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Facilitate weekly or biweekly case conferencing to support care planning and skill-building.
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Implement and maintain documentation systems to track client touchpoints, referrals, and outcome data.
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Ensure fidelity to harm reduction principles and evidence-based practices throughout the program.
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Establish referral pathways to treatment, detox, MAT, housing, and other key resources.
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Provide emotional wellness support, mentorship, and role modeling to reduce burnout and support SUN retention.
Client-Facing and Programmatic Activities (30%)
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Collaborate with SUNs to facilitate client-centered services, including MAT accompaniment, hospital discharge follow-up, and benefits navigation.
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Launch and support peer-led support groups, wellness workshops, and community engagement activities.
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Maintain strong communication loops with clinical and community partners to support warm handoffs and care continuity.
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Support field-based service delivery and troubleshoot client or operational issues in real-time.
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Lead drop-in hours and low-barrier engagement strategies for high-needs or hard-to-reach clients.
Additional Duties:
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Participate in leadership and quality improvement meetings to ensure program alignment with agency goals.
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Assist with reporting and evaluation activities to demonstrate program impact.
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Develop client feedback mechanisms such as advisory boards or surveys to improve services.
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Perform other duties as assigned to support the success and sustainability of the SUN program.
Minimum Required Skills & Qualifications:
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Lived experience with substance use, homelessness, or behavioral health challenges, or direct work with communities experiencing these issues.
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Minimum of three (3) years of experience in substance use, homelessness, or behavioral health service settings.
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At least two (2) years of program coordination experience, preferably in harm reduction or peer support programs.
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Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles, trauma-informed care, and peer-based support models.
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Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
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Comfort working in field-based, non-traditional settings with high-acuity populations.
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Ability to support and mentor staff with lived experience in a culturally responsive and strengths-based manner.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications:
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Supervisory experience in harm reduction, peer support, or related community-based programs.
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Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, psychology, or a related field.
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Bilingual in English and Spanish.
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Familiarity with Alameda County systems and resources.
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In-depth knowledge of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and local harm reduction strategies.
Physical Requirements:
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Occasional sitting or stationary work
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Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, and ascending stairs
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Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs
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Frequent pushing and pulling
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Frequent reaching high, low, and level
Work Environment:
Onsite at supportive housing facilities across the Bay Area.
Benefits:
Employees in this role may be eligible for a range of benefits, including
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Employer-supported medical
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Access to dental and vision insurance
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Paid vacation and sick time
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Retirement plan (401k) participation with a company match
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Commuter benefits
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Long Term Disability
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Life Insurance
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Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on hours worked per week and length of employment
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Specific details are provided in the benefits guide and are subject to change
Cardea Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Cardea Health is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability, citizenship or veteran status. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the state of California and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities for this role. Activities, duties, or responsibilities may change, or a new job description may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Salary : $33 - $44