Frequently Asked Questions – STEPS

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.

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.

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.