The mission of RIL is to promote the socio-economic independence of persons with disabilities by providing peer-supported, consumer-directed independent living services and advocacy. The focus of RIL is that freedom to make choices and the ability to live safely in the community are basic rights all people have, regardless of disability or age.

Under the general direction of the Employment Services Program Manager, the Employment Services Specialist is responsible for job development, placement, and other vocational services to consumers, as well as delivery of core Independent Living services. This position involves a significant amount of travel within the Sacramento area in order to meet with consumers and conduct outreach activities on behalf of the agency.

• Provide individual Independent Living services to members.
• Assist in maintaining consumer files and progress notes.
• Conduct an initial intake and employment assessment with each new consumer referred from the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR).
• Develop employment goals with the consumer based on the consumer's skills, interests, income requirements, city of residence and other relevant factors.
• Provide employment preparation to consumers, both individually and in groups, on the topics of:
• Interviewing Techniques
• Resume Development
• Application Preparation
• Appropriate Work Behaviors
• Grooming and Hygiene
• Provide job development services to consumers. This includes direct contact with employers to develop job leads.
• Maintain ongoing file of employer contacts and activities.
• Provide job placement services to members that includes short-term follow-up services up to 90 days after employment.
• Assist employers and consumers with barriers to job retention.
• Participate in job development activities coordinated by the DOR.
• Provide a weekly Job Club for consumers receiving services.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of and sensitivity toward persons with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the values and concepts of the Independent Living Movement.
• Knowledge of resources and services available to persons with disabilities.
• Knowledge of word processing and data base(s).
• Ability to quickly learn, understand, and explain laws and regulations affecting persons with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate with angry, upset or demanding consumers.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Ability to think clearly in emergencies, complete work with deadlines, and work with frequent interruptions.
• Must have access to a reliable form of transportation to attend meetings, conduct outreach, and meet with clients at scattered co-locations sites throughout Sacramento and Yolo counties.

• Personal experience with disability.
• Experience as a disability rights advocate.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish or American sign Language.
• BA in human services or equivalent experience

The emotional effort varies but can be challenging. Occasionally there are short deadlines and periods of high activity/demand. The position requires interacting with persons with a variety of disabilities, methods of communication, and behaviors.

Within the office the job is primarily sitting with some movement required to the file cabinets, copiers, fax machine, and answering of the phones.

Equal Opportunity Employer: RIL is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. RIL’s policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.

RIL is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in RIL’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of RIL, including supervisors and coworkers.

RIL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. You are encouraged to apply regardless of your race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, marital status, religious creed, medical/physical/mental circumstance, sexual orientation, Veteran status or age.

To apply, send cover letter and resume to jobs@ril-sacramento.org.