Job Developer

Position Title: Job Developer
Program/Region: Jobs Plus / Butte
Reports to: Regional Director
Classification: Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $18.00 per hour

Agency Description: Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar’s thriving programs and services serve more than 14,000 individuals annually across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, and Butte Counties. Our nonprofit organization’s portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. And, we are expanding our capacity to address the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families.

Position Description: The Job Developer carries out the services of the Jobs Plus program by assisting clients to obtain and maintain competitive employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. The Job Developer is responsible for developing relationships with local employers in order to create appropriate job opportunities for clients. They must develop and maintain productive working relationships with clients, funders and the employer community to ensure the good reputation of the agency for providing quality placements for employees with disabilities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings.
• Assesses clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences.
• Conducts at least six employer contacts each week to learn about local businesses and employer needs, to talk about specific clients who are looking for work and/or to talk about employer services offered by the JP program.
• Spends at least 65% or more of total scheduled work hours in the community engaging clients, contacting employers for job development, and providing follow-along supports. Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of Jobs Plus.
• Regularly maintain a Caseload of 20 to 30 clients; Obtain job placement for at minimum 2 clients per month; document and report placements and related activities in a timely manner as required.
• Supports clients making employer contacts about job information and/or job interviews within 14 days of receiving authorization from DOR for Employment services benchmarks, Employment Preparation, and Job development and Placement.
• Conducts job site analyses and makes independent and calculated decisions regarding an employer’s appropriateness for clientele. Maintains a highly effective knowledge base regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Educates employers on the ADA and the benefits of employing quality employees with disabilities; identify any potential barriers and work to provide solutions.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to job sites, meetings, and other venues, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
• May provide day-to-day work direction, guidance and support to Job Coaches. Establishes, communicates and coordinates work schedules of Job Coaches to ensure coaches are with and supporting clients as required.
• May assist with recruiting, hiring and training program staff.
• Develops an individual employment plan with the client and other treatment team providers and updates it quarterly.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Provides frequent face-to-face supports during the first month of a new job and at least monthly after working steadily and desired by clients.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
• Attends monthly meetings with DOR counselors to discuss possible referrals and shared clients.
• Participates in regular meetings and communicates individually with other agency team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment. Helps the direct service team think about employment for people who haven’t yet been referred to supported employment services.
• Create and distribute educational materials and train clients on vocational opportunities in response to current skills and desires. Provide additional trainings in budgeting, dietary information, technical skills improvement and other areas that promote employment and independence.
• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct in relation to information that is confidential in nature. Share information only when the recipient’s right to access is clearly established and the sharing of such information is clearly in the best interest of the person served. Ensure that all client records are properly maintained, stored, and kept confidential at all times.
• Design community reintegration activities to assist the person receiving services with their vocational needs during physical activity. Assist the person receiving services in understanding their various needs and limitations and how to manage them during function.
• Be present on the first day of the consumers’ employment to introduce the consumer’s job coach to the employer.
• Assumes full responsibility for Job Coaching in absence of an available Job Coach; Must personally ensure support promised to both employer and client is delivered exactly as arranged.
• Comply with all state Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) regulations and CARF standards, as well as all agency policies and procedures.
• As assigned, represent the program in public settings in order to enhance community acceptance of the program, to reduce stigma of those with mental illness and other disabilities, and to explain the purpose and benefits of the program.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled supervision sessions.
• Participate in and complete trainings as assigned and in a timely manner.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.
• Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner.
• Promote within the agency and with the general public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:
• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in mental health-related field is strongly preferred.
• Minimum one year of demonstrated work experience providing employment services to SMI/DD population is strongly preferred.
• Prior sales, business development, marketing, or employment counseling experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to assist, persuade, and motivate clients to make appropriate vocational choices and to take an active role in the attainment of their vocational goals.
• Ability to manage a full caseload of clients independently; make accurate and empathetic decisions concerning rehabilitation plan development and implementation.
• Ability to work compatibly in a team environment and apply the principles and practices of a self-directed team and individual empowerment; provide training and assistance to lower level staff.
• Ability to detect and understand the relationship of mental or physical disabilities upon vocational and social adjustment.
• Knowledge of DOR, the ADA and other state/county regulations relevant to a supported employment program preferred.
• Knowledge of regional workforce development and social service systems is strongly preferred. Knowledge of various job development strategies, local labor market trends in a range of occupational fields, and community resources is strongly preferred.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems and strongly preferred. Experience managing web based time and attendance and staff training and development system is strongly preferred.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
• Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.

Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:
• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office, manufacturing, retail and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.

Special Requirements:
• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position requires frequent driving. A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• A personal cell phone with reliable service and, if applicable, a data plan to use for business purposes.
• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.


Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services. We are an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org