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If you have been searching for jobs for felons in San Francisco, you’ve come to the right place! Though a criminal record can complicate your job search experience, this resource can help you jump-start your next career. With over 100,000 businesses and a population of almost one million, San Francisco’s strong economy has weathered many of the country’s highs and lows. You can too!
We’ve done the hard work of reaching out to companies and collecting application information, so you can have an easier time finding your next job after being released. We’ve contacted over 1,000 companies directly to get the details on their hiring practices for former offenders. We then researched the specific hiring policies for the largest employers in San Francisco, the entry-level positions they hire for most, and what to keep in mind when applying. To go a step further, we also hire individuals with a record in our own company so we know exactly how to help you!
Jobs that hire felons in San Francisco
Use our search feature to start looking for jobs that hire felons in San Francisco. You can use this tool to search by industry, job title, company name, and other filters. If you don’t see something you like or you’re not sure where to start, scroll to the bottom of the search page to find our list of the top 10 most felon-friendly companies in San Francisco.
Top companies that hire felons in San Francisco
When searching through San Francisco’s vast job market for your next position, there are certain characteristics you should look for in a job if you have a record. If you’ve just been released or have little work experience, temporary placement from a staffing agency or an entry-level job may be the best direction for you to start. The reason you want to land an entry-level job is that it requires little skill and is relatively easy to get, but it also gives you the opportunity to show how you can be reliable and responsible at a job (the most important qualities to hiring companies).
Click the links below for details on the top companies that hire felons in San Francisco.
City and County of San Francisco
University of California, San Francisco
Once you’ve successfully completed a temporary or entry-level job, you’ll have a strong point on your resume that can help you get a more permanent position at the next level up. It’s all about building up your resume and getting positive references!
If you’re looking for help on building your resume, take a look at our resume guide.
Let’s take a look at some of the companies where you have a good chance of being hired.
City and County of San Francisco
The City and County of San Francisco is one of the biggest employers in the city. From public transportation to health and safety, there are numerous branches of the government that are looking for entry-level workers.
The City and County of San Francisco follows Equal Employment Opportunities policies and hires individuals based on merit and without discrimination.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Firefighter
- Pool Lifeguard
- Admission Attendant
- Clerk
- Bricklayer
GateGourmet
GateGourmet is the leading provider of catering and equipment solutions for airlines around the world. With the large operation serving San Francisco’s international airport (SFO), there are always openings at this industry leading company. Whether you’d like to work at their warehouse fulfilling orders, drive the catering trucks, or actually cater the airplanes, there’s an entry-level position for anyone here.
GateGourmet states that they hire based on job requirements and qualifications and are committed to equal opportunities in employment-related decisions.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Local Route Driver/Aircraft Catering
- Flight Coordinator
- Meal Ordering Assistant
- Assembler
Sutter Health
Sutter Health is a group of doctors and hospitals serving Northern California. Hospitals are big operations requiring various skills. You could work in the food court, cleaning or even transporting patients.
Sutter Health promotes Equal Employment Opportunities with a positive continuing program they have in each department.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Food Service Aide
- Librarian
- Patient Access Representative
- Patient Transporter
Uber Technologies Inc.
Uber is a rideshare app and technology that allows anyone with a license, a phone and a car to sign up and earn money! This modern rideshare company has become extremely popular and is in high demand in the Bay Area.
Uber practices Equal Employment Opportunity and values having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Driver
- CDL Truck Driver
- Uber Eats driver
- Customer Service Representative
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is a large care institution with hospitals and clinics all over the country. Based in Oakland, Kaiser has many locations and hiring opportunities in the Bay Area.
Kaiser’s goal is to maintain industry-leading levels of diversity in their workforce. Although a drug test and background check are required for hire, Kaiser states that qualified applicants with arrest/conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with state and federal laws.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Cashier Receptionist
- Patient Care Technician
- Storekeeper
- Housekeeping
Bi-Rite Market
Trying your hand at a grocery store is often a sure way to get back into the job market quickly. There are opportunites for promotion and good job security at Bi-Rite Market. They’re known for their open hiring policy.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Delivery Driver
- Stocker
- HR and Administration
- Cashier and Bagger
PG and E Corp
PG&E provides natural gas and electric service to the west coast. Much of their work is skilled labor or positions in which you could learn a trade. PG&E has adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy which provides that applicants have equal employment opportunities regardless of any factor that is not job-related.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Customer Relationship Management
- Utility Worker
- Electric Lne Assistant
- Transmission Cableman
Applebee’s
If you are looking for a more social or customer-facing position, working in the restaurant industry may be the place for you. Applebee’s chain restaurants are very active on the West Coast, so there are many locations in the Bay Area where you could apply! Luckily, restaurants have many entry-level positions. At Applebee’s these could include cooking, serving customers, cleaning up, or taking/fulfilling delivery orders.
Applebee’s states on their website that they are an equal opportunity employer and they are committed to celebrating diversity. They aim to create a diverse working community that reflects the neighborhoods they are located in.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Cook
- Dishwasher
- Server
- Bartender
- Busser
University of California, San Francisco
The University of California, San Francisco is a large public university and part of the broader UC system. Such a large institution calls for many different types of skills needed to keep everything running smoothly.
They have recently made changes to their application process to avoid discouraging previously incarcerated people from applying if they are qualified. They have removed the question in the initial employment application asking if the applicant has been convicted of a crime.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Public Safety Dispatcher
- Grounds Maintenance
- Front Desk Campus Host
- Janitor/sanitation
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is a retail and grocery chain that spans the country, and has many stores in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you enjoy customer service and working with the general public, check out their open entry-level positions.
Trader Joe’s states that they are an equal opportunity employer and having been convicted of a crime does not disqualify you. Depending on the felony, it may make the hiring process more difficult because you will be working with customers each day, however Trader Joe’s tries to be as fair as they can with hiring for talent.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Cashier
- Crew Member
- Grocery Bagger
- Stocking
Trucking jobs for felons in San Francisco
Trucking is a major industry throughout the country that is well-established and stable. It is also a known career path for people with criminal records because the company is often willing to train you on the job even if you have no experience. Travel, independence, and self-reliance are a few of the benefits you will see if you land a job as a trucker.
Looking for trucking jobs for felons in San Francisco? Here are some of the top trucking companies in the area:
- AC Contracting
- Rey Hauling
- American Freight Inc. Trucking & Freight Broker
- Nationwide Transporters
- B4 Logistics Inc.
Warehouse jobs for felons in San Francisco
If you are looking for a career where you have room to advance or try different positions, this could be a great place to start. A warehouse is a large operation and requires all different kinds of skills and employees, leaving you a variety of options down the road. Warehouses will often promote their best employees from entry-level positions to higher up positions. Roles like lift operators, inventory control, and administrative positions are all options down the line if you start in a warehouse.
Here are some top warehouse jobs for felons in San Francisco:
- Prologis
- HD Supply
- Cole Hardware
- NABIS
- Big Leprechaun Moving and Storage
Temp agency jobs for felons in San Francisco
A temporary position is a great place to start if you haven’t had luck with more permanent opportunities. There are plenty of employment agency jobs for felons in San Francisco and numerous staffing agencies who are willing to work with felons in finding their next position. When successfully completed, a temporary position can be a great stepping stone to landing a more permanent position.
There are quite a few to choose from, but here are some top temp agency jobs for felons in San Francisco:
- 80Twenty
- Robert Half
- The Job Shop
- Motion Recruitment
- Betts Recruiting
Second chance and job training programs for felons in San Francisco
California joined the Ban the Box states in 2018. This means that employers and business owners cannot ask about an applicant’s criminal conviction history before offering them the job. They also cannot dismiss an applicant unfairly because of a criminal background check.
Ban the Box laws have made the playing field more fair, but there are also second chance and job training programs for felons in San Francisco that help former felons looking for work. These programs offer resources to help individuals with a criminal record get back on their feet with housing, financial aid, education, and more.
Here are some resources for former felons in San Francisco:
- Delancey Street Foundation
- Mission: We have successfully graduated over 18,000 people from America’s underclass into society as successful taxpaying citizens leading decent, legitimate and productive lives. We have opened new doors in fields of homelessness, education, vocational training, social entrepreneurship, substance abuse and pathways out of poverty, crime and violence.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Clothing and Household, Education, Employment, Family, Food, Housing
- Episcopal Community Services-San Francisco
- Mission: The ECS Workforce Development and Social Enterprise program provides 300 individuals annually with job counseling, job readiness training, adult education, high school equivalency, culinary training, other vocational programs, and housing support services to help them move into stable employment, better jobs, and permanent housing.
- Services offered: Education, Employment, Family, Housing
- Community Assessment Service Center (CASC)
- Mission: The Community Assessment and Services Center (CASC), is a one-stop, multi-service reentry center which specializes in working with justice involved people ages 18 and older. Led by SFAPD and UCSF/Citywide, and in partnership with public safety partners, the Department of Public Health, Human Services Agency, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, an array of talented community based providers, the CASC provides support for justice involved adults in San Francisco. The CASC, l embraces a client-centered, strength-based approach, empowers personal responsibility and streamlines access to evidence based services which include clinical and reentry case management, medication management and distribution, peer coaching, cognitive behavioral interventions, substance dependency and recovery services, education and employment services, barrier removal and benefits enrollment assistance.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Education, Employment, Legal, Mental Health
- The Francisco Homes
- Mission: The Francisco Homes offers hope and multi-faceted, holistic support to formerly incarcerated individuals aspiring to re-integrate back into the community.
- Services offered: Employment, Housing
- Women’s Resource Center
- Mission: The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is operated by the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department and provides women who have a history of criminal justice involvement with the services necessary to achieve and maintain safe and healthy lifestyles. Restorative Justice principles are woven into all of the center’s practices.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Clothing and Household, Employment, Housing, Legal, Mental Health
