Disability Resource Coordinator

The Disability Resource Coordinator is responsible for ensuring high-quality services and support for individuals with disabilities across all 10 counties served by Workforce Development, Inc. This role involves collaboration with staff, external providers, and community organizations to enhance programming, develop strategies, and build strong connections to support employment for individuals with disabilities. A primary focus will be on youth services, but will also include oversight of Employment Network partnerships and participation in the Maxability Taskforce, guiding WDI’s involvement in key initiatives supporting disability employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaboration with WDI Staff: Work closely with staff across all 10 counties to identify service gaps, provide resources, and enhance support for individuals with disabilities in workforce development programs.
• Employment Network Oversight: Serve as the primary liaison for WDI’s connection with the Employment Network, ensuring participants receive necessary services, support, and job placement opportunities.
• Program Guidance & Development: Provide input and direction on programming decisions that impact individuals with disabilities, especially youth, to ensure inclusivity and accessibility within workforce development services.
• Youth Services Focus: Lead efforts to design and deliver programming tailored to youth with disabilities, helping them overcome barriers and access employment and training opportunities.
• Maxability Taskforce Representation: Represent WDI on the Maxability Taskforce, advocating for improved services and resources for individuals with disabilities, and participating in initiatives that support disability employment.
• Provider Partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with external service providers and community organizations to ensure a comprehensive support network for individuals with disabilities.
• Training & Support: Provide training and technical assistance to WDI staff on best practices for serving individuals with disabilities, including compliance with relevant regulations and accessibility standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, education, or related field.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities, particularly in workforce development, education, or employment services.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work across multiple teams and counties.
• Knowledge of disability services, Employment Network programs, and regulations related to disability employment.
• Ability to represent WDI effectively on task forces and in community partnerships.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with youth with disabilities in educational or career-focused programs.
• Familiarity with local service providers, disability networks, and resources within the region.
• Knowledge of assistive technologies and accommodations for individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

Although every single day at Workforce Development, Inc. is unique, this is a taste of what a day in the life of an In-School Youth Workforce Development Specialist may look like:

A Day in the Life of a Disability Resource Coordinator

8:00 AM – Start the Day: Review Emails & Plan the Day
You begin your day by checking emails and reviewing any new requests from WDI staff across the 10 counties you serve. A few career planners have reached out with questions about accommodations for youth with disabilities who are starting new job placements. You prioritize responding to these requests and prepare to provide guidance throughout the day.

8:30 AM – Staff Consultation
You join a virtual meeting with career planners from two different counties to discuss how to better serve youth with disabilities who are enrolled in workforce development programs. One participant is facing challenges with transportation, while another needs help with assistive technology in a new training program. You offer strategies and resources to address these needs, ensuring that appropriate accommodations are in place.

9:30 AM – Employment Network Check-In
Next, you check in with WDI’s Employment Network partners. You monitor the progress of participants with disabilities who are seeking employment through the network and ensure they are receiving the necessary support. You note any follow-up actions required and schedule a call with an employer to discuss potential work experience opportunities for one of your participants.

10:00 AM – Maxability Taskforce Preparation
You begin preparing for an upcoming Maxability Taskforce meeting. You review the agenda and jot down points to advocate for additional resources for youth with disabilities. You also prepare a brief report on the latest employment outcomes for youth in your program, highlighting both successes and areas for improvement.

11:00 AM – Site Visit to Local School
You drive to a local high school to meet with a special education coordinator and career counselor who have been working with a group of youth with disabilities. These students are interested in entering the workforce but face significant barriers. You collaborate on strategies to help these students transition into work-based learning opportunities, offering resources like resume-building workshops and interview preparation with accommodations.

12:30 PM – Lunch Break
You take a break for lunch, checking your schedule for the afternoon and following up on a few urgent emails from your morning meetings.

1:00 PM – Training Session with WDI Staff
Back at your office, you host a virtual training session for WDI staff from various counties. The session focuses on best practices for supporting individuals with disabilities in the workforce, including how to identify the right accommodations and how to ensure compliance with disability employment regulations. You share examples of successful placements and encourage staff to ask questions.

2:00 PM – Community Partner Meeting
You head to a meeting with a local disability service provider to discuss how WDI can enhance support for youth transitioning into the workforce. You explore potential collaborations to offer wraparound services such as job coaching, assistive technology, and social skills training. Together, you discuss how to ensure the youth in your program receive the comprehensive support they need to succeed in the workplace.

3:30 PM – Maxability Taskforce Virtual Meeting
You participate in the Maxability Taskforce virtual meeting. During the meeting, you represent WDI and share insights on the challenges and successes you've encountered while supporting youth with disabilities in workforce programs. You advocate for more robust community resources and discuss strategies with other taskforce members on improving disability employment rates in the region.

4:00 PM – Wrap-Up & Reporting
Back in the office, you update your notes and participant records in WDI’s system, ensuring that all action items from today’s meetings are recorded. You check in on the status of the Employment Network cases and confirm that follow-ups with WDI staff are scheduled. Finally, you review tomorrow’s schedule, which includes more consultations with staff and an outreach event for disability services.

4:30 PM – End of Day
You wrap up your tasks, feeling satisfied with the progress you’ve made in improving access to workforce opportunities for youth with disabilities, and log off for the day.

About Us:

Workforce Development, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the workforce of SE MN. We are a customer-focused, action-oriented team committed to the values of Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Education, and Community. We value diversity among our talented employees.

Salary Range: Starting at $58,000 annually.

If you are interested in a dynamic work environment at an organization dedicated to helping job seekers and employers, please submit your resume and letter of interest to be received by 4:30pm on Wednesday, October 23rd,to:

Beth Christensen

Workforce Development, Inc.

2070 College View Road East

Rochester, MN 55904

Or E-mail: hiring@wdimn.org

WDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Service Provider. WDI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or military status in any of its activities or operations. This information is available in alternative formats for people with disabilities by calling 507.292.5152 (voice) or by using your preferred relay service.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $58,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Rochester, MN 55904 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rochester, MN 55904

Salary : $1,000 - $58,000