Colorado Department of Revenue is hiring: Employment First Specialist (HCT III)

Employment First Specialist (HCT III) - Grand Junction Regional Center **Western Slope**

Join the Colorado Department of Revenue as an Employment First Specialist. The ideal candidate will provide individualized employment support services to residents with developmental disabilities, aiming to secure and sustain competitive, integrated employment.

Description Of Job

The Employment First Specialist is responsible for delivering individualized job coaching and skills training to residents with developmental disabilities at community-based work sites. This role includes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to assess residents’ vocational interests, strengths, and support needs, and developing formal and informal employment plans aligned with each resident’s Service Plan (SP).

• Deliver individualized job coaching and skills training to residents with developmental disabilities at community-based work sites
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to assess residents’ vocational interests, strengths, and support needs
• Develop and implement formal and informal employment plans aligned with each resident’s Service Plan (SP)
• Modify job tasks and environments as needed to promote independence and job success
• Track and document all service hours, support activities, and progress using designated data systems (e.g., Therap)
• Maintain ongoing communication with employers to ensure satisfaction and address any concerns related to resident performance
• Promote gradual worker independence by reducing on-site support as appropriate
• Provide transportation or support in learning transportation skills as needed for job access
• Assist with behavior management, medication administration, and personal care during job support hours when necessary
• Uphold safety, dignity, and rights of all residents at job sites, intervening when necessary to prevent harm

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

AND

• Two (2) years of experience in an occupational field related to working with a population with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Substitutions

Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis

Special Qualifications

Must be QMAP trained or hold a valid LPT license

Preferred Qualifications

• Dependable, adaptable, and responsible

Conditions Of Employment

• Full background check: CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers) and reference check required
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License
• Shift Work – GJRC is a 24/7 facility, must be available to work any shift, any day and/or any area, to meet the agency needs
• Travel – Drive state car, van or bussette to various group homes, programming, admin & in community
• TB test is required, requires Influenza and other vaccines as required by state and facility; must be 18 years or older.
• Pre-employment Physical/Tests – Exert up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects
• Annual recertification is required for “CORE” skills including CPR, suctioning, transfers and lift use, wheelchair securement, Safety Care.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

Equal Employment Opportunity

THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.