Donate
STEPS is an acronym for St. Anthony’s Employment Pathways to Stability. The STEPS Program offers training and employment services to individuals with barriers, providing guests with pre-employment and on-the-job training, resume-building, job search and application, interviewing practice and more. Individuals gain the knowledge and skills to find and keep a job. Our focus is to serve individuals who are re-entering the workforce and providing hope and renewal to those overcoming addiction, homelessness, or prior incarceration.
Our Transitional Employment Program, which is part of STEPS, assists individuals with applying and securing a temporary position at St. Anthony’s. Based on performance and availability, transitional employees may be promoted into long-term employment after six months. Over 30% of St. Anthony’s employees are former guests.
We also work closely with corporate partners to identify job opportunities in the for-profit sector and assist guests in applying for jobs and preparing for interviews.
We envision a more prosperous city where barriers to employment are eliminated and guests we serve in the Tenderloin are supported on their individual employment journeys with dignity and respect. STEPS empowers our guests with new skills, ways of thinking, and connects them to meaningful work so they can gain financial stability, life-management skills, and community connections.
We believe financial stability that comes from employment helps people stabilize their lives, heal from past trauma, and gain renewed hope so they can flourish and thrive.
What is the Transitional Employment Program at St. Anthony’s?
Our Transitional Employment Program, which is part of STEPS, assists individuals with applying and securing a temporary position at St. Anthony’s. Based on performance and availability, transitional employees may be promoted into long-term employment after six months. Over 30% of St. Anthony’s employees are former guests.
St. Anthony’s has 20 transitional positions across five departments. These are six-month temporary jobs that include on-the-job training. These positions tend to be “entry-level” and do not require advanced skills or professional experience. They are available to individuals who have had barriers to employment due to addiction, incarceration, or other life challenges and now ready to re-enter the workforce.
Applying for a transitional job is a two-step process: 1) Guests seeking employment will complete a Transitional Employment Interest Form available on our website; and 2) Guests will apply for specific “TE” jobs on the St. Anthony’s Job Board available on our website. Look for “TE” in the position title to ensure you are applying for a transitional position.
A resume is a required part of this process. We offer a free Resume Clinic for guests who need assistance updating or creating a resume. Resume Clinic has drop-in hours on Mondays & Wednesdays from 9-11am for Spanish speakers, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11am for bilingual or English speakers. Stop by the Welcome Center tent at 150 Golden Gate Avenue and someone will help you connect with a STEPS team member.
St. Anthony’s Transitional Employment program follows the regular HR hiring process for any position available. Depending on the specific job description, the process may also include skills assessment. Once hired, transitional employees will have access to on-the-job paid training to build their skills and prepare them for long-term employment.
Transitional jobs include “TE” in the title and are listed along with other open positions on our Job Board. Here is a link to all TE jobs on our Job Board.
*Additional positions may be classified as transitional jobs as openings occur
STEPS – Transitional Employment jobs usually span six months. Some individuals can extend their employment to eight months based on job availability and performance. Feedback and performance reviews by supervisors will be conducted frequently to support transitional employees. STEPS Employment Specialists will also provide job coaching and support.
Beyond the transitional period, successful employees will be encouraged to apply for a “core” position (if available) in their department or another St. Anthony’s department, where job openings are posted. There are several pathways to long-term employment.
1. Continuing as a STEPS TE employee
2. Moving into a core position in the same department
3. Transitioning to an external job partner placement
4. Transitioning into a core position in a different department
5. Leaving St. Anthony’s for a job of their choice
STEPS supports transitional employees in whatever path they take.
Eligibility requirements:
· At least 5 months clean and sober
· Access to reliable transportation to and from work
· Eligible to work in the U.S.
· 18 or older
· A positive attitude and willingness to complete the program requirements
· A demonstrated interest and compassion for helping others
· Ability to retain good attendance and perform the functions of the job
One-Week Job Readiness Program
If you would like to enroll in our One-Week Job Readiness Program, please complete an interest form here. One of our team members will call you to discuss the program and determine if you are a good fit.
Transitional Employment Program The first step for anyone is to fill out the Interest Form found here on our website. Once we receive your form, a member of the STEPS team will review your information and contact you within three days. The best candidates with fully completed forms including contact information will receive a phone call or email setting up an appointment for a short phone screening. The screening will include a conversation about your interests, strengths, abilities and attitude. It will last about 15 minutes.
After the phone screening, you will be referred to the next steps which could include:
· Enrollment in pre-employment training
· Resume Clinic
· Applying for a Transitional Employment position at St. Anthony’s through our Job Board
· Referral to other services
Your online application will be reviewed by our Transitional Employment Recruiter. If it is complete and your skills match the minimum requirements of the job, you will be invited to a phone interview. Based on the phone interview, one of three things will happen…
· You will be referred to the Hiring Manager for an interview.
· You will be referred to Additional Training.
· Your application will be added to the Applicant Pool, and remain active for six months. After six months, you can reapply if still looking for a job.
The hiring manager in the department you applied to will make a hiring decision. If you qualify for the position and do well in the interview, the hiring manager will request that Human Resources extends a conditional offer of employment. A conditional offer will include a request for references and permission to run a background check. After satisfactory reference checks and a background check, the candidate will receive a formal offer.
The hiring manager may decide not to offer you a position and may encourage you to reapply once you have enrolled in additional job-readiness training at St. Anthony’s. In this case your application will be added to the Applicant Pool for six months.
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You will be contacted by our HR department with a start date. On your first day you will begin the onboarding process which includes completing paperwork and a tour of the facilities. Your manager will provide initial training, assign you tasks, and support you. You will also attend a New Hire Orientation. At 30, 60, and 90 days, you will have check-in meetings with the STEPS Team and be assigned on-the-job training.
Transitional employees hold temporary positions for six months and based on performance and availability, can apply for long-term or “core” employment. Transitional employees earn $21/hour and have access to medical insurance as well as vision benefits, sick days, and one-week of paid vacation. They also engage in paid on-the-job training to build their skills.
Wages for core employees are higher and include additional benefits, like access to our retirement plan, dental benefits, and more time off. They also have access to our Learn to Earn program which is tied to wage increases up to $25/hour.
We offer up to 60 hours of individualized training support on-the-job, ongoing resume and cover letter support when preparing for core positions, job coaching, and wellness services to support continued stability.
While STEPS assesses program eligibility on a case-by-case basis, candidates with demonstrated barriers to employment who are interested in re-entering the workforce and gaining more financial stability are the best fit for this program. Individuals must be clean and sober for at least six months, 18 years of age or older, must be eligible to work in the U.S., must have reliable transportation, a working phone and email, and pass a background check. We consider ourselves a compassionate employer and are interested in helping individuals who need an opportunity to change their lives for the better.
While many factors can indicate an employee’s employment stability, we measure it by looking at attendance, the achievement of goals, and soft and hard (job-related) skills development.
ATTENDANCE Attendance and meeting job goals will be closely monitored and recorded. As with any employee at St. Anthony’s, and other employment placements, disciplinary action will be taken if expectations are not met, including possible termination.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT & PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Consistent performance management is critical to the ongoing personal and professional development of STEPS participants. There are several factors that are used to determine participants’ job success, areas for improvement, and overall needs.
Performance reviews take place monthly and address three focus areas: attendance, goal attainment, and soft skills.
SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Employees’ development of soft and hard skills is tracked weekly. We particularly seek to support growth in the following soft skills areas:
· Professionalism – Demonstrating dependability and reliability. Fulfilling obligations, completing assignments, and meeting deadlines. Acting with integrity and honesty.
Dressing appropriately for position and duties. Abiding by and respecting all company policies.
· Positive Behaviors – Conveying a positive, pleasant, and “can-do” attitude. Trying to continuously improve performance. Respecting authority, coworkers, and subordinates. Accepting instruction and constructive criticism. Exhibit a “growth mindset” and kindness.
· Communication – Communicating effectively – verbally and non-verbally. Using language appropriate for the work environment. Proper communication through phone, email, and video conferencing. Effective listening skills.
· Teamwork – Relating positively with co-workers. Encouraging others. Working productively with individuals and teams. Maintaining respectful and trustworthy relationships. Exhibiting leadership when necessary. Understanding diversity and inclusion.
· Problem-solving – Identifying and defining a problem, using knowledge and information to generate possible solutions. Effectively managing time. Addressing conflicts directly with the appropriate parties/individuals. Adapting to new environments or situations.