Job Details

Covenant House California CES Specialist

Covenant House California (CHC) is a nonprofit organization that provides sanctuary and support for youth 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 youth and staff regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We believe that youth 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 youth 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 youth 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 youth homelessness, and we are on a committed journey to build an inclusive and equitable work culture that brings out the best in everyone. In Alameda County, we primarily operate out of facilities in Oakland and Hayward. In our Oakland location, which has been operating since 2005, we offer a full continuum of housing and support services to young people. Our program is continuing to grow and will be adding 20 new beds for young people over the next year. In our Hayward location, which recently opened in 2026, CHC offers housing and supportive services to young people in South Alameda County. It is an exciting time to join a brand new program.

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:

The CES (Co-ordinated Entry System) Specialist will be based in the Housing Resources Center (HRC) / Wellness Center in Oakland and Hayward and will work under the supervision of the Manager of Support Services. The position will be responsible for assisting/supporting the youth in completing CES assessments, assisting the young people in the wellness center with resources that meet their needs, linking them to services and supports, as well as provide workshops. Work includes engaging with youth experiencing homelessness Alameda County, in other drop-in centers across the County, Junior College Campuses and in CHC Wellness Center.

The position works collaboratively with CHC teams, staff, and other service providers in the community. The position requires a passion and skill set for positive youth-engagement, the ability problem-solve creatively and comprehensive case management activities including building relationships, linkages, crisis prevention and intervention. Documentation, tracking and matching youth with housing via the CES are other responsibilities for this position.

Essential Functions:

• Model positive youth engagement and support throughout the Wellness Center to all young people experiencing homelessness. Maintain a safe youth-focused environment, support referrals and linkages for youth, provide support in the space, complete case management related tasks as assigned and lead/co-lead workshops and activities as needed.
• Support youth in completing Coordinated Entry System (CES) assessments, housing navigation activities, referrals, and matching processes in alignment with Alameda County Coordinated Entry policies and procedures.
• Maintain strong understanding of community housing resources, mental health concerns, and other state, county, and community-based services relevant to youth experiencing homelessness. Support youth in accessing resources and opportunities related to Stable Housing, Education, Employment, Social & Emotional Well-Being, and Social & Permanent Connections.
• Provide housing problem-solving support to youth, including exploring natural supports, facilitating family or trusted adult reconnection (when appropriate), and assisting youth in identifying safe diversion and alternative housing options to prevent or reduce experiences of homelessness.
• Work with your supervisor and the team to create safe, inclusive and affirming spaces for all youth that we welcome into the HRC or Wellness Center space. Participate in any Youth Advisory Boards or Youth Action boards as appropriate. In addition, help youth get connected and engaged in those opportunities.
• Stay current on best practices related to trauma-informed care, harm reduction, positive youth development, and engagement with runaway and homeless youth.
• Develop and maintain strong interventions for program that stem from the framework of trauma informed, harm reduction and positive youth development models.
• Ensure that all written correspondence, demographic data, contract reports and all other documentation are completed and submitted for review in an accurate and timely manner in ETO and HMIS.
• Act as a representative of Covenant House California when attending community meetings or forums on issues centering on homelessness or mental health issues. Maintain presence at North-County Outreach Collaborative and other community-based meetings as appropriate.
• Travel between the CES hubs located throughout Alameda County. Collaborate with the other team members in those locations and ensure that youth know when and where to find us. Evaluate and render program services at all locations.
• Driving company and/or personal vehicles to meet with and/or transport clients for off-site appointments and facilitation of program services.
• Attend all required trainings hosted by CHC and the County of Alameda, including HMIS and CES updates and reporting guidelines. Also attend additionally identified offsite trainings and community meetings hosted by the County of Alameda and key partner organizations to stay up to date on requirements and landscape.
• Occasionally team up with outreach workers to serve unsheltered youth living on the street or encampments in Alameda County.
• Perform duties as assigned by immediate supervisor (or delegate) to meet the needs of youth and ensure adherence to the program expectations. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Ensuring the cleanliness and safety of the living environment
• Providing crisis intervention, as necessary.
• Providing back up support and coverage for other direct care positions (e.g. Residential Services, Wellness Center, etc.)

Job Requirements:

Education: High School diploma or GED preferred but not required.

Experience: Lived experience is required. Minimum of 1-2 years of youth work experience is required in addition to having experience working with community-based programs for youth experiencing homelessness and vulnerable populations. Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff members, clients, vendors and the public.

Skills & Knowledge: Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff. Must have good organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with members, clients, vendors, and the public. Communication with and about youth must reflect a "strength based" and "trauma informed" approach. Must exercise appropriate independent authority when needed. Must have the ability to make independent decisions for client placement. Must be knowledgeable in the areas of crisis intervention, mental illness, and community-based service delivery, and adolescent development. Bilingual – English / Spanish is a plus.

Transportation/Driving Requirements: Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License and an acceptable driving record. Driving is an essential function of this role and includes transporting clients using company vehicles, which may include 8–10 passenger vans.

As a condition of employment, employees assigned driving responsibilities must provide proof of a valid driver's license and a satisfactory Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record. If an employee is required to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel, including attending off-site meetings or appointments with clients or staff, the employee must maintain and provide proof of valid automobile insurance in accordance with applicable law and company policy.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Facility consists of both general business office environments and communal residential shelter environments. Must be able to bend, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time; and to navigate stairs on a daily basis. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work occasionally in outside weather conditions. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on occasion. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Schedule:

Full-time 40 hours per week during primary Wellness Center and CES Hub hours (typically 9am – 9pm). One weekend workday will be required and some late evening, additional weekend hours, or holiday work may