Intern, Community Relations (Fall 2026)

CalOptima; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

CalOptima invites applications for the Intern, Community Relations (Fall 2026) position. You will join the Community Relations team to gain hands-on experience, manage department projects, and assist with community engagement alongside leadership and external partners.

The role emphasizes independence, meeting deadlines, and contributing to special projects and events within a collaborative, mission-driven healthcare organization.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required plus enrollment in a college or university two- or four-year degree program.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for community engagement.
• Ability to work independently with supervision and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Assist in community engagement with key stakeholders and program development.
• Support planning and execution of events and meetings.
• Coordinate administrative tasks and provide project support.

Skills

Rapport building

Independent work

Clear communication

Time management

Project management

Adaptability

Multitasking

MS Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Enrollment in college/university program

Tools

Microsoft Office: Word

Microsoft Office: Outlook

Microsoft Office: Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Team You'll Join

We are a mission driven community-based organization that serves member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. If you are ready to advance your career while making a difference, we encourage you to review and apply today and help us build healthier communities for all.

Intern, Community Relations (Fall 2026)

CalOptima

Join Us in this Amazing Opportunity

We are a mission driven community-based organization that serves member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. If you are ready to advance your career while making a difference, we encourage you to review and apply today and help us build healthier communities for all.

More About The Opportunity

We are hoping you will join us as an Intern, Community Relations (Fall 2026) and help shape the future of healthcare where you'll be an integral part of our Community Relations team, helping to strive for excellence while we serve our member health with dignity, respecting the value and needs of each of our members through collaboration with our providers, community partners and local stakeholders. This position has been approved to be Full Office.

The overall purpose and objective of the Intern (Community Relations) is to gain work experience in the field prior to graduating. This is an opportunity to utilize and apply the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom setting and apply it in the workforce. The incumbent will have the primary responsibility of handling department assigned projects, given a moderate degree of independence. The incumbent will frequently meet with supervisors to go over the status and progress of assignments.

Under general supervision, the incumbent will assist the department's management team in a wide variety of duties. The incumbent works closely with the department manager to assist in community engagement with key stakeholders and program development and implementation of special projects, large scale events and meetings with key stakeholders to support CalOptima Health initiatives. The incumbent may assist with coordinating administrative support for special events, projects, and meetings, led by CalOptima Health and our key community stakeholders. The integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality is essential. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable health system.

Your Contributions To The Team

• 95% - Department Support
  • Participates in a mission driven culture of high-quality performance, with a member focus on customer service, consistency, dignity and accountability.
  • Assists the team in carrying out department responsibilities and collaborates with others to support short- and long-term goals/priorities for the department.
  • Assists with department related projects as assigned.
  • Meets deadlines and completes sub-tasks of projects assigned.
  • Participates in meetings with the supervisor to go over status and progress of work assigned.
  • Completes other projects and duties as assigned.
• 5% - Other
  • Completes other projects and duties as assigned.

Do You Have What the Role Requires?

• High school diploma or equivalent required PLUS enrollment in a college or university two- or four-year degree program, an accredited vocational institution or a graduate program.

You’ll Stand Out More If You Possess The Following

• n/a

What the Regulatory Agencies Need You to Possess?

• n/a

Your Knowledge & Abilities To Bring To This Role

• Develop rapport and establish and maintain effective working relationships with CalOptima Health's leadership and staff and external contacts at all levels and with diverse backgrounds.
• Work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work a flexible schedule; available to participate in evening and weekend events.
• Organize, be analytical, problem-solve and possess project management skills.
• Work in a fast-paced environment and in an efficient manner.
• Manage multiple projects and identify opportunities for internal and external collaboration.
• Motivate and lead multi-program teams and external committees/coalitions.
• Utilize computer and appropriate software (e.g., Microsoft Office: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and job specific applications/systems to produce correspondence, charts, spreadsheets, and/or other information applicable to the position assignment.

Your Physical Requirements (With Or Without Accommodations)

• Ability to visually read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Ability to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects, patients and/or equipment 10 to 25 pounds

Ways We Are Here For You

• You'll enjoy competitive compensation for this role.
  • Our current hiring range is: Pay Grade: 301 - $47,840 - $64,584 ($23.00 - $31.0500).
  • The final salary offered will be based on education, job-related knowledge and experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity among other factors.
• This position is approved for Full Office (
• If the position is Telework, it is eligible in California only
• )
• Additional benefits and perks including:
  • A quality work life balance
  • Various wellness programs
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Career development opportunities
  • Flexible scheduling
  • And the satisfaction of knowing your work directly impacts and improves healthcare access for thousands of individuals and families.

Our Work Environment

If located at the 500, 505 Building or a remote work location:

• Work is typically indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours, with travel as needed.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

If Located At PACE

• Work is typically indoors in a clinical setting serving the frail and elderly.
• There may be harmful or hazardous environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to loud.

If Located In The Community

• Work is typically indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours, with travel as needed.
• Employee will occasionally work outdoors in varied temperatures.
• There may be harmful or hazardous environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Why Join Us?

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. Each employee brings a unique perspective to the overall team and we value everyone's input and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where you and every team member can thrive while making a meaningful impacts on our community members. Our team reflects and represents the communities we serve, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds who share our commitment to accessible, quality healthcare.

Our Commitment to You

Your application and resume will be reviewed by a dedicated recruiter to this position. If your experience matches what we need, we will reach out to you to discuss the next steps. The selection process may include, but is not limited to, a skills assessment, phone screen and interview. If you make it through the steps above and are selected for this exciting role, you will be required to undergo a reference and a background check (to include a conviction record) and if applicable also pass a drug screening and/or a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (for specific positions). If you are an Internal CalOptima Health applicant, please apply through the internal portal on InfoNet. We will make sure to keep you updated through each step of the process on your candidate portal. Please make sure to watch for updates on your candidate portal and you emails which will be sent to the email address you listed on your application. Please check your email, including your SPAM folder, regularly throughout the recruitment process.

CalOptima Health is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit. CalOptima Health wants to have qualified employees in every job position. CalOptima Health prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee, or applicant for employment, based on race, religion/religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transitioning status, age, sexual orientation, immigration status, military status as a disabled veteran, or veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. CalOptima Health also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived as having, any of those characteristics.

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