Community Activity Worker - Housing Department, Homelessness Response Division

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José Housing Department is a leader in the production of affordable housing. Its mission is to strengthen and to revitalize our community through housing and community development programs. The Housing Department has an operating budget of approximately $119 million annually and 112 employees, the Department administers multiple local, state, and federal funds. The Housing Department is committed to creating and supporting a diverse work environment with a staff that values inclusion.

Position Duties

The Housing Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Community Activity Worker vacancy in the Homelessness Response Division.

The salary range for this classification is: $52,175.76 - $63,510.72.

This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

This is a limit-dated position that is anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2027, subject to further extension as appropriate. However, should this position be discontinued through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.

The Community Activity Worker is an essential member of the City's Housing Department, supporting the Homelessness Response Team. This role focuses on engaging with and addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The position involves organizing and coordinating community services, providing information, and fostering relationships with people experiencing homelessness in the City of San Jose. The position will play a key role in street-based services offering direct client support, crisis response interventions, and community engagement regarding homelessness and homeless encampments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct outreach on a reactive basis, responding to community concerns by providing outreach to homeless encampments and addressing the needs and concerns of our community.
• Engage with both housed residents and those experiencing homelessness, fostering relationships, understanding their needs, and linking them to appropriate services.
• Facilitate access to individualized services, assessments, and shelter and/or housing options, ensuring that responses are timely and effective in addressing the crises of those in need.
• Work closely with other city departments, non-profit organizations, and community partners to coordinate a comprehensive response to homelessness.
• Document all outreach activities and interactions in EMS.
• Transport clients in a City vehicle, to shelter or other appropriate destinations.
• Respond to crisis related calls/concerns within the same day of the request.
• Performing contact and liaison work in explaining and interpreting City programs.
• Coordinating with governmental agencies, local businesses, and City Departments.
• Providing information to residents, housed and experiencing homelessness on accessing City services or other service providers.
• Rendering first aid in case of injury.
• May be required to provide bilingual translation, both orally and in writing.
• Make timely and accurate decisions in emergencies or crises with particular awareness of the need for the safety of all clients, staff, or volunteers involved.

Schedule:

This is a full-time position, typically scheduled Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Flexibility is required as the role may involve early morning, evening, or weekend work depending on the needs of the community and outreach activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education : Graduation from high school or equivalent (General Education Development (GED) Test or California Proficiency Certificate).

Experience : Two years of full-time equivalent experience (4160 hours) in organizing groups for community action.

Acceptable Substitution : One year of college (30 semester units) may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Required Licensing : Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California may be required.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Social Awareness - Demonstrates the ability to read or sense other people’s emotions and how they influence the situation of interest or concern; demonstrates empathy and organizational awareness.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Selection Process :

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ginger Quijano at Ginger.Quijano@sanjoseca.gov .

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 12/19/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

Show more