DISABILITY PROGRAM NAVIGATOR

Mesa County, CO•Peoria, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Disability Program Navigator (DPN) expands access to Workforce Center programs for individuals living with disabilities. This position fosters connections to programs, services, and resources to support successful employment outcomes while also leading community education and outreach efforts to increase awareness of services, disability resources, and inclusive employment practices. The DPN serves as the primary liaison between the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Mesa County Workforce Center (WFC), and acts as a resource and referral source for job seekers, employers, and community partners throughout Mesa County.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to translate complex program information into accessible language for job seekers, employers, and community partners.
Attention to detail and the ability to draft objective reports and manage online databases with high accuracy.
Ability to build trusting relationships and effectively engage with individuals with disabilities.
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to provide training, education, and technical assistance to staff, employers, and community partners.
Adaptability and ability to navigate changing systems, policies and priorities.
Approximately two (2) years of experience in fields such as: Social work or human services, Career counseling or workforce development, Case management, eligibility, or compliance-driven roles, Other positions requiring person-centered service, collaboration, and regulatory compliance.

Nice To Haves

Experience in social work, career counseling, human resources, or any field that requires collaboration, regulatory compliance and person-centered service delivery.

Responsibilities

Connect job seekers with disabilities to appropriate WFC, DVR, and community-based resources.
Help customers understand the DVR eligibility process, service provision, and required documentation.
Provide career interest considerations and opportunities to increase individuals with disabilities access to workforce services.
Assist customers in gathering required documentation and data for DVR or WFC program eligibility, which may support the development of employment plans.
Work cooperatively with the local DVR office and WFC staff to increase co-enrollments and track participant progress.
Communicate at least monthly with DVR Liaison(s) regarding co-enrolled participants and the progression of services.
Align WFC and DVR services to decrease duplication and expand opportunities for the "braiding" of resources.
Create and maintain a repository of community-based disability-related resources.
Develop and facilitate training for workforce center staff, partners and employers on relevant topics, such as disability awareness, the ADA, workplace accommodations, and DVR services.
Review and provide guidance to workforce center staff on the use of assistive technology and overall programmatic accessibility.
Serve as a liaison to the DVR Business Relations Unit and WFC to provide disability resources to employers, including ADA accommodation resources and strategies to decrease the stigma of hiring disabled job seekers.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date entries in Connecting Colorado, including services, program enrollment, case notes, and referrals.
Submit required monthly program reports, adhering to strict deadlines.
Ensure confidentiality of all program files and records, and maintain compliance with Federal, State, and county regulations, guidance, policies, and procedures.
Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and intent of the position.