DISABILITY PROGRAM NAVIGATOR

Mesa County Department of Human Services is a forward-thinking agency that has over 300 employees serving the needs of nearly 40,000 residents. From the Colorado National Monument to the thriving agricultural lands and city centers, Mesa County contains a diverse, natural landscape that provides many outdoor activities and adventures. As individuals and an organization, we value and respect humanity, honesty, balance, inclusion and teamwork. We provide a level of flexibility for staff to be able to accommodate their lives outside of the office environment. We value family and the relationships that make our lives rewarding.Our MissionThe Mission of the Mesa County Department of Human Services is to help individuals and families achieve safety, stability and opportunity for meaningful employment.Our ValuesMesa County Department of Human Services values represent our behavioral anchors for how we conduct ourselves. Simply stated, we value Humanity, Balance, Honesty, Inclusion and TeamworkJob SummaryThe 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.**Essential Duties***(The following statements describe the primary responsibilities and competencies required to successfully perform the role. Duties are representative of the work performed and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or assign other duties as needed.)*Navigation And Participant Support **Community Outreach:** Engage in community outreach activities to increase awareness and access to the DPN program. **Navigation & Referral:** Connect job seekers with disabilities to appropriate WFC, DVR, and community-based resources. **Eligibility Assistance:** Help customers understand the DVR eligibility process, service provision, and required documentation. **Career Navigation:** Provide career interest considerations and opportunities to increase individuals with disabilities access to workforce services **Application Support:** Assist customers in gathering required documentation and data for DVR or WFC program eligibility, which may support the development of employment plans.**Case Coordination and Collaboration** **Dual-Enrollment Management:** Work cooperatively with the local DVR office and WFC staff to increase co-enrollments and track participant progress. **Inter-Agency Consultation:** Communicate at least monthly with DVR Liaison(s) regarding co-enrolled participants and the progression of services. **Braided Services:** Align WFC and DVR services to decrease duplication and expand opportunities for the "braiding" of resources. **Resource Management:** Create and maintain a repository of community-based disability-related resources.**Training and Technical Assistance** **Staff Development:** 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. **Accessibility:** Review and provide guidance to workforce center staff on the use of assistive technology and overall programmatic accessibility. **Employer Resources:** 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 iring disabled job seekers.**Data, Reporting, and Compliance** **Data Entry:** Maintain accurate and up-to-date entries in Connecting Colorado, including services, program enrollment, case notes, and referrals. **Monthly Reporting:** Submit required monthly program reports, adhering to strict deadlines. **Compliance:** 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.**QUALIFICATIONS**Education:** A high school diploma or equivalent is required.**Core Competencies**SkillsWe value experience in social work, career counseling, human resources, or any field that requires collaboration, regulatory compliance and person-centered service delivery. We are seeking someone who has the skills to guide others through complex systems with empathy, professionalism, and a person-centered approach. Individuals must demonstrate the following competencies: 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**Experience** Individuals typically develop these competencies through approximately two (2) years of experience infields 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. We recognize that competencies can be gained through a variety of professional, educational, or lived experiences.Physical Requirements And Working EnvironmentThis position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 20 pounds.Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.While performing the essential functions of this job conditions such as fumes, noxious odors, mists, gasses, and poor ventilation that affect the respiratory system, eyes, or the skin.Employee may be exposed to disease of known or unknown origin, blood-borne pathogens, body fluids and tissue, the threat of direct or indirect violence/conflict by other individuals, and other unanticipated circumstances associated with the position.Employees on occasion encounter unsanitary conditions in the home of the program participant.In Compliance With The Equal Pay For Equal Work Act The Following Items Can Be Used As a Determining Factor In The Starting And Ongoing Wage Of An Employee Working In This Position A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment. A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance. Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question. Another factor related to job performance or business operations, such as paying a shift differential to workers on less popular shifts Travel, if the travel is a regular and necessary condition of the work performed**This position is eligible for the following Mesa County benefits:** Medical Dental Vision Retirement Paid Sick and Vacation Leave Life insurance Long term disability