Employment Specialist

DDRC; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

FSA

Vacation/Sick Accrual

Holiday Pay

PSFL Program

Job summary

DDRC is seeking an Employment Specialist to help people with developmental disabilities explore, enter, and advance in competitive integrated employment. You will build strong partnerships with local employers and workforce groups to create opportunities and support pathways.

In this role, you will drive discovery, placement and stabilization, delivering high-quality coaching, timely follow-up, and coordinated support with job seekers and teams to ensure successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with IDD or in related services.
• Ability to build relationships with job seekers, employers, and partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication; accurate documentation.
• Ability to work independently with competing priorities; collaborate with a team.
• Willingness to obtain ACRE certification within established timeframes.

Responsibilities

• Support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in exploring, entering and advancing in competitive integrated employment.
• Develop partnerships with local employers and workforce groups.
• Deliver discovery, job placement and job stabilization coaching with measurable milestones.
• Provide high-quality coaching, timely follow-up, and ongoing collaboration with employers, job seekers and support teams.

Skills

Experience with IDD services

Effective communication

Independent & team work

Documentation accuracy

ACRE certification readiness

Job description

Join a Mission That Matters

Join our Employment team to support people with developmental disabilities as they navigate exploring, entering and advancing in our local workforce: a role designed to strengthen our commitment to Dignity, Dedication, Respect, and Choice in every aspect of service delivery.

Compensation:

$23.00-$25.30/hour

Benefits:

• Medical Benefits - $30/month for an individual (opportunity to add dependents) $750 deductible, 100% covered after.
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) - 3% employer match
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Vacation/Sick Accrual
• Holiday Pay
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Program

Schedule:

36-hour work week, flexibility needed to accommodate job seekers and employers, which may include evenings and weekends.

Essential Functions:

The Employment Specialist supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in exploring, entering and advancing in competitive integrated employment. This role promotes Employment First principles by developing strong partnerships with local employers and workforce groups. Working within an outcome-based supported employment model, the Employment Specialist is responsible for achieving measurable milestones such as completing discovery, job placement, and job stabilization. Success in this role requires effective job development, timely follow‑through, high‑quality coaching, and ongoing collaboration with employers, job seekers, and support teams.

Qualifications:

• Experience supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, or in employment services, human services, vocational support, or a related field preferred.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with job seekers, employers, and community partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to complete required documentation accurately and timely.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate as part of a team.
• Willingness and ability to obtain required training and certifications, including Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certification, within established timeframes.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in office and community-based settings, including employment sites and other locations relevant to service delivery. The position involves supporting people in their work environments and requires adaptability to changing settings, schedules, individual support needs, and travel between service locations throughout the workday.
• The role involves regular interaction with people supported, coworkers, employers, and community members throughout the workday and the use of technology to support communication and documentation.

DDRC is an equal opportunity employer. DDRC employees and job applicants are protected from discrimination on basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. DDRC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised, with or without notice, based on funding, program needs, or organizational requirements. Additionally, job descriptions are subject to annual review and revision, as needed, to maintain accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with operational requirements. Changes will not be discriminatory, retaliatory, or violate laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).