Covenant House California (CHC) is a nonprofit organization that provides sanctuary and support for young people overcoming homelessness, ages 18-24. CHC believes that no young person deserves to be homeless; that every young person in California deserves housing, food, clothing, education, and most importantly, to be loved. CHC provides a full continuum of services to meet the physical, emotional, educational, vocational, and spiritual well-being of young people.

CHC’s doors are open to young people and staff regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We believe that young people and team members deserve to be in an environment that is inclusive and affirming; where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and valued and appreciated for who they are. Maintaining a diverse community of young people and staff is key to our ability to achieve our mission most effectively. We are also committed to being a leader in advancing anti-racism, and to promoting opportunities for the free expression of the lived experiences of our young people and staff.

We are looking for people who, like us, believe that every young person deserves a place to belong. We think it takes all kinds of people to create diverse solutions to end young people homelessness and we are on a committed journey to build an inclusive and equitable work culture that brings out the best in everyone. In our Santa Clara location, we have been offering housing and supportive services to young people since May 2021. This location is also the first CA site to offer support to young families.

As this position provides direct care to young people that are 18-24 years old, we require that applicants are at least 25 years old.

Covenant House California offers an excellent benefits package, (most benefits effective date of hire), including medical, vision, dental, an EAP program, 403b retirement account, and a generous vacation package.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Employment Specialists will assist young people experiencing homelessness in building employment skills and obtaining entry level and step up employment.  The position will work with residents and non-residents of Covenant House California who are between the ages of 18 to 24.  Essential functions of the position include job search coaching, job matching, development of internships for young people, networking in the business community, development and maintenance of business partnerships, case management, documentation, workshop facilitation and includes a range of supportive duties spanning coordination of the intern program, clothing closet, facilitating job search groups, dissemination of external materials for posting, field work with young people, establishing partnerships with other agencies, etc. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

 Case Management: 

• Implement individualized plans that are created in conjunction with a young person’s primary Case Manager as it relates to employability, job search skills, skills enhancement, and job retention.  Determine young people’s ongoing needs in searching for employment; provide 1:1 support as needed. 

• Hold regular meetings with assigned young people to address progress and refine focus of search. 

• Participate in Success Plan meetings with young people, their case manager, Director and others in their circle of support on a monthly basis or as needed.

• Ensure each young person has the tools and skills to properly search for and find work—including job search techniques (online and personal contact), computer skills (for submitting applications), résumé, job applications, cover letters, follow-up, interview skills, etc. 

 Classes and Workshops: 

• Facilitate and lead any employment or workforce curriculum currently being utilized. Provide monthly workshops in areas of interviewing skills, resume writing, career exploration, job retention, etc.

• Coordination and facilitation of regular weekly, monthly and annual groups and events including employment group, Job Retention group, job fairs, and other identified employment related topics assigned – includes external corporate, community, and Covenant House-wide partnerships.

 Documentation: 

• Ensures that all files are complete, current, and in compliance with standards and grant requirements using both ETO and HMIS.  Update daily log and input data into the database as requested by the Program Coordinator.

• Creat