Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

EMPLOYMENT RETENTION SPECIALIST

WHO WE ARE

Solutions SF is a social enterprise of Community Housing Partnership (see AGENCY below). We employ the formerly homeless and those at risk of homelessness in transitional jobs to enable those individuals to earn an income, develop a career path, and permanently leave homelessness behind.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Employment Specialist is responsible for guiding formerly homeless clients, already stably employed in transitional employment for six months, with preparing and securing a permanent job and retention of that job. The role combines one on one coaching, employer engagement, workshop facilitation, and participation in future program expansion design. Reporting and documentation related to their clients is also part of the job. The position reports to the Social Enterprise Manager, and is non-exempt and part of SEIU 1021.  

The position is part of the Employment Opportunities department of Community Housing Partnership (CHP) that identifies, prepares, trains and employs formerly homeless individuals interested in returning to work as front desk clerks in residential hotels in San Francisco. Our program provides comprehensive services to enable individuals disconnected from the workforce to return to productive work with a career path. Program Participants receive training, an opportunity for up to 15 months of transitional employment, permanent placement assistance, and a twelve month retention program through the CHP Employment Pathway.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coach clients that achieve 6 months of transitional employment through the process of preparing to secure permanent employment including resume and cover letter development, interviewing skills and reference development. 
• Facilitate interview preparation workshops and mock interviews with volunteers. 
• Guide clients through the process of applying for, securing, and transitioning to permanent employment. 
• Cultivate relationships with existing and potential employers to develop opportunities for our job seekers. 
• Engage clients in active participation and reward achievement in the Retention program post permanent placement. 
• Contribute to the design and expansion of alumni programming. 
• Collaborate with both Workforce and Social Enterprise teams to track client progress toward placement. 
• Completion of all required documentation and reporting. 
• Adapt personal style to meet the needs of clients. 
• Stay current on new resources, information, job development techniques that might benefit clients. 
• Role model professional work behaviors at all times for clients.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor degree in a related field or equivalent experience preferred. 
• Experience working with formerly homeless individuals or individuals with significant barriers to employment required. 
• Experience in employment services, social services, vocational counseling or equivalent experience preferred. 
• Experience in motivational interviewing techniques strongly preferred. 
• Competency with PC based software including Microsoft Office. 
• Excellent communication, planning and time management skills. 
• Strong written and verbal skills. 
• Demonstrated effective organization and facilitation skills. 
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with diverse populations. 
• Commitment to working with homeless people and support for Community Housing Partnership’s mission and culture required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit at their desk for long period, use hands to finger for computer keyboard input, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk up and down stairs, climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Mobility to use standard office equipment, including computer, vision to read printed materials, and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. There are no unusual environmental conditions. Typically, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderately noisy.

POSITION DETAILS

• Location: 20 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 
• Status: Full Time/Non-exempt 
• Pay Rate: $19.11/ hr. 
• Schedule: Monday through Friday 9AM - 5PM 
• Union: This position is under the collective bargaining agreement with SEIU 1021 
• Reports to: Social Enterprise Manager

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

Community Housing Partnership provides an excellent benefits package, including 100% employer paid employee health, dental, vision, life & disability insurance; commuter benefits; 403(b) investment opportunity with employer match; Employee Assistance Program; paid training; paid vacation; 13 paid holidays; and sick time.

AGENCY DESCRIPTION 

Community Housing Partnership believes that home has the power to stabilize a person’s life. Built on a simple-but-powerful idea called supportive housing, we provide people experiencing homelessness with a place to call home combined with support services, like mental health services and job training. And we organize our residents and supporters to advocate for local and state policies, like affordable housing, to help people still on the streets or at risk of homelessness. Together, we’re building a new future for our neighborhoods and the city we love. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to: http://www.chp-sf.org/about/apply-for-job-opportunities/ 

Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to candidates selected for interviews.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Community Housing Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer without regard to formerly homeless people, race, color, creed, gender, gender expression, gender identity, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, veteran status, national origin or ancestry, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. Community Housing Partnership hiring policies require a background check for all applicants working directly with at-risk populations.