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

CDHSCareers

The Employment First Specialist is responsible for providing individualized employment support services to residents with developmental disabilities, with the goal of securing and sustaining competitive, integrated employment. This role includes job coaching, skills training, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement vocational plans tailored to each individual’s strengths and interests. The specialist ensures a safe, supportive work environment while promoting independence, dignity, and community inclusion.

Additionally, as an Employment First Specialist, you can expect to:

• 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)

• Two (2) years of experience in an occupational field related to working to the work assigned, such as working with a population with intellectual and developmental disabilities

• Dependable, adaptable, and responsible

• 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.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact natasha.story@state.co.us  

About Us: 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.  

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. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at  cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

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