logo center for people with disabilities

The Center for People With Disabilities

Call Us (303) 442 - 8662 v/tty

Make a donation

Jobs/Volunteer

CPWD is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Jobs

Youth Independent Living Advisor (ILA)

People with disabilities of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply!

JOB TITLE:  Youth Independent Living Advisor (ILA)
PRIMARY OFFICE:  Boulder or North Metro (Thornton)
FLSA/EMPLOYEE STATUS: Full-Time (32 hrs./wk.); Non-exempt
PAY & BENEFITS:  $24-$27/hr. and benefits include: medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Programs (EAP); 401(k); paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time.

WHY WORK WITH US?  We’re extremely caring, supportive, down-to-earth, and passionate about what we do.  We are continually improving the employee experience, including offering a 4-day workweek for true work/life balance.  Also, we’re very flexible and accommodating, and we provide generous time off.  Be a part of our meaningful mission and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities!

IDEAL CANDIDATE:  Center for People With Disabilities (CPWD) is looking for a Youth Independent Living Advisor!  The ideal candidate would be someone with disability experience (either has a disability or has worked with people with disabilities) who loves to work with young adults.  They are in a critical time of navigating away from parental protection and support, and toward independent living.  You would play an important role, not only assisting them to work toward independence, but also sensitively navigating family dynamics at times.  You would come with a lot of enthusiasm and encouragement for these young people, and truly believe they can succeed regardless of ability level.  We are looking for someone who wants to be a trusted and reliable catalyst for change in the lives of these youth.  We welcome your creative ideas for activities and services, and also ask that you bring a level of flexibility – as youth are often very busy with their school, family, and social commitments.  If this sounds like work that excites you, please read the job requirements and apply as direct below.

SUMMARY:  This position will focus on providing employment and Independent Living services to youth with various disabilities ages 14 to 24, but may also work with consumers of all ages, as needed.  Services may include: individual and systems advocacy, Independent Living skills training, information and referral services, and peer support to individuals and groups of youth and/or parents of youth with disabilities.  Though primarily based out of CPWD’s Boulder or North Metro Office, the Youth ILA will provide services to all consumers within all of CPWD’s covered counties.  The individual in this position will serve as a role model and mentor for people with disabilities within the community, and maintain positive and effective relationships with CPWD staff and partner agencies. 


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide one-on-one direct services to consumers, including the core services of Independent Living skills training, advocacy, information and referral, peer support and mentoring, and youth transitions. This may include formulating an Independent Living Plan, assistance with benefits applications, applying to local Community Center Board programs, or working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • Must be able to manage a full caseload of approximately 25-35 consumers.
  • Meet with assigned consumers at least once a month to ensure that their goals, and progress on meeting them, are regularly assessed.
  • Assess consumers’ stated and implied needs and goals as part of setting individual Independent Living goals.
  • Actively support consumers to pursue employment by providing job readiness training to assist youth with obtaining and maintaining employment.
  • As needed, facilitate peer support groups, social activities and employment workshops in local schools.
  • Participate in the planning and facilitation of CPWD’s Youth Employment Program that occurs every summer.
  • Collaborate with parents of youth to support the youth’s goals.
  • Develop a deep knowledge and understanding of local community resources for transition age youth, such as cross-disability service providers, government and non-profit agencies.
  • Engage new consumers and community partners through outreach efforts.
  • Gain an understanding of Independent Living Philosophy and CPWD’s mission, vision, and programs to be able to communicate them to consumers and other community organizations.
  • Work independently, schedule and manage personal workload, and recognize when there is a need for approval or support from the supervisor.
  • Complete thorough, accurate and timely documentation for direct services with consumers. 
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.
  • All CPWD staff members are considered mandatory reporters, obligated to report signs of abuse they are aware of both on and off the job.
  • Travel as needed and meet in person for direct services, groups, trainings, and outreach events.
  • Participate in CPWD staff meetings, program meetings, and staff training activities.
  • Perform other duties, as assigned.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Associate’s degree in a relevant field or relevant equivalent experience.
  • Proficiency with MS Windows, MS Office, Google Suite, and other common computer programs.
  • Strong organizational and customer service skills, and attention to detail.
  • Leadership and interpersonal skills with diverse peers, consumer base, other staff members and management.
  • Able to positively represent CPWD and outreach to the community and public.
  • Able to work independently, making solid decisions and exercising sound judgment with consumer and community contacts.
  • Working knowledge of disabilities and disability-related issues.
  • Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Able to demonstrate commitment to CPWD’s non-discrimination policy DEI Statement
  • Able to demonstrate CPWD’s core values of inclusiveness, flexibility, person-first, accountability, and integrity.
  • Effective written and oral communications skills.
  • Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record (if applicable).
  • Satisfactory backgrounds checks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Personal experience with a disability is strongly preferred!
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or relevant experience in a related human service field.
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish).
  • Exposure to Independent Living Philosophy, and best practices in the IL community.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and an extended amount of time sitting or standing.
  • Local and regional travel in various weather conditions.
  • Primarily based out of the Boulder or North Metro CPWD office location.
  • May be asked to work out of any CPWD office, as needed.

CPWD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are dedicated to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and fostering a culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion while actively challenging and dismantling systemic racism and oppression.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower a qualified candidate to perform the essential functions of the job.

HOW TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated résumé and customized cover letter to [email protected] explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 

www.cpwd.org

 

Certified Benefits Specialist Posted: 3/6/24; Closes: 3/21/24

Posted: 3/6/24; Closes: 3/21/24

People with disabilities of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply!

JOB TITLE:  Certified Benefits Specialist
PRIMARY OFFICE:  North Metro (Thornton); Hybrid or Remote Options (CO)
FLSA/EMPLOYEE STATUS:  Full-Time (32 hrs./wk.); Non-exempt
PAY & BENEFITS:  $28-$30/hr. and benefits include: medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Programs (EAP); 401(k); paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time.

***IMPORTANT NOTE:  This position requires already being certified as either a Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor (CPWIC) or Certification Credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner (WIP-C).

WHY WORK WITH US?  We’re extremely caring, supportive, down-to-earth, and passionate about what we do.  We are continually improving the employee experience, including offering a 4-day workweek for true work/life balance.  Also, we’re very flexible and accommodating, and we provide generous time off.  Be a part of our meaningful mission and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities!

SUMMARY:  The primary focus of this position is employment-related benefits counseling and analysis for consumers referred to CPWD by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Colorado Medicaid, or the Ticket to Work (TTW) program.  This position will act as a resource for consumers and staff members who have questions related to various benefits and how employment affects those benefits.  In addition, this position assists people with disabilities with various aspects of their job search and job readiness in CPWD’s TTW program.  The individual in this position will serve as a role model and mentor for people with disabilities within the community, and maintain positive and effective relationships with CPWD staff and partner agencies. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Complete in-depth CPWD intake with new consumers.
  • Provide benefit information and counseling to consumers referred to CPWD by DVR, Colorado Medicaid, and consumers in the TTW program.
  • Complete the Benefit Summary and Analysis for DVR, Colorado Medicaid and TTW consumers as dictated by those entities.
  • Provide a minimum of 45 to 50 total hours per month of billable services for DVR or Colorado Medicaid consumers.
  • Provide required documentation for each consumer depending on the program that they are working with and invoice that program monthly.
  • Maintain Work Period Charts and SSI Calculation Sheets and be able to explain them to consumers.
  • Advocate with Social Security in relation to benefits, as needed.
  • Maintain all records as required by CPWD.
  • Complete thorough, accurate and timely documentation including paper and electronic records.
  • Work effectively with Workforce Centers, DVR, and other agencies in CPWD’s service area.
  • Have a strong understanding of IL Philosophy and CPWD’s mission, vision and programs be able to clearly communicate them to consumers and community organizations.
  • Work independently, schedule and manage personal workload, and recognize when there is a need for approval or support from supervisor.
  • Teach self-advocacy in relation to benefits and employment, money management, and other daily living skills to people with disabilities, as requested by the consumer.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations and Social Security regulations.
  • All CPWD staff members are considered mandatory reporters, obligated to report signs of abuse they are aware of both on and off the job. 
  • Demonstrate a high level of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
  • Travel as needed for direct services, groups, trainings, and outreach events.
  • Participate in CPWD staff meetings, program meetings, and staff trainings.
  • Perform other duties, as assigned.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or relevant equivalent experience.
  • Certification in one of the following:
    • Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor (CPWIC) Certification
    • Credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner (WIP-C)
  • Ticket to Work Suitability Clearance or the willingness/ability to obtain it within the first six months of employment.
  • Proficiency with MS Office, Google Suite, and other common computer programs.
  • Strong organizational and customer service skills, and attention to detail.
  • Interpersonal skills with diverse peers, consumer base, other staff members, and management.
  • Able to work independently, making solid decisions and exercising sound judgment with consumer and community contacts.
  • Working knowledge of disabilities and disability-oriented issues.
  • Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Able to demonstrate commitment to CPWD’s non-discrimination policy DEI Statement
  • Able to demonstrate CPWD’s core values of inclusiveness, flexibility, person-first, accountability, and integrity.
  • Ability to positively represent CPWD, and outreach effectively to the community and public.
  • Effective written and oral communications skills.
  • Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record (if applicable).
  • Satisfactory backgrounds checks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Personal experience with a disability is strongly preferred!
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish).
  • Exposure to Independent Living Philosophy, and best practices in the IL community.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and an extended amount of time sitting or standing.
  • Primarily based out of the North Metro CPWD office location. Hybrid or remote work possible within the state of Colorado.
  • May be asked to work out of all CPWD office locations, as needed.
  • Local and regional travel in various weather conditions.

CPWD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are dedicated to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and fostering a culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion while actively challenging and dismantling systemic racism and oppression.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower a qualified candidate to perform the essential functions of the job.

HOW TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated résumé and customized cover letter to [email protected] explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position.  We look forward to hearing from you!

www.cpwd.org

Employee Testimonials

Brandy McIintosh, CPWD Independent Living Advisor Manager

Working at CPWD has allowed me the opportunity to better understand the importance of the Independent Living Philosophy. As an individual with a disability myself, it’s extremely important to me that people recognize my capacity to make my own decisions about my life. Everyone here recognizes that an individual with a disability should be provided with the opportunity to make their own choices. It is great to be working somewhere that is willing to listen to individuals with disabilities speak about their independent living goals and provide them with an opportunity to achieve those goals.

Connie Stafford, CPWD Veterans Independence Program Advisor

I have worked in a few different fields along my journey, and I know it is rare to find a job so rewarding that I sometimes forget to stop working at the end of the day.  My particular job has many elements to it.  I get to drive the gorgeous, curvy roads to Estes Park or the rolling farmlands toward Fort Collins, or cruise south and glimpse the Denver skyline, all on the way to meet with Veterans who have earned the benefits of the VIP and are looking for guidance through the process of enrollment. I get to meet some amazing families, help explain the program, assist in expediting the paperwork, and at the end of the day I know I have done my best ensure another Veteran is able to stay in their home and retain their independence rather than enter a long-term care facility.

CPWD’s incredible working environment is established at the top. There is genuine attention to our community and to our collective well-being – no, not the way many agencies merely claim – not some trite bumper sticker philosophy. Instead, it is evident by the way management walks the walk. Need a mental health day? Not a problem.  Want to talk to the Executive Director? Great, have tea with her and run through whatever is on your mind. Holiday commitments rushing at you too quickly? Relax. You will have some paid downtime from work to recharge.

The cherry on my sundae is that I have fantastic co-workers whom I know have my back and I theirs, and I sleep well at night, knowing I am a part of a team that is working to make positive changes in people’s lives.

Diane Groff, CPWD Integrity & Advocacy Mentor/Longmont Manager

Way back in the year 1983, I was a graduate student at CU Boulder in Experiential Education and contacted CPWD to discuss options for Internship work. I enjoyed working with the Independent Living Program in supporting people living in the Arapahoe Court Apartments. We did activities in the community and we were constantly on the go. At that time, a Day Program for Survivors of Traumatic Head Injuries was created by CPWD and was located in a home setting in Boulder that CPWD purchased with CDBG funds. A childhood friend was hired to be the program director and in March of 1984, I was hired to be part of the team. My friend, Doug Stanton and I had three Summers of working as Camp Counselors and we were very comfortable with creating experiential learning opportunities in the community. The ILP program had a transitional living program that included IL skills training and work on employment/educational goals.

My internship with CPWD was supervised by Homer Page, one of the founders of CPWD and served as director of Office for Students w Disabilities at CU. During our Supervision meetings we discussed the nuances of independent living with the twist of existentialism philosophy.

This in-depth study and grounding work with “I exist, Therefore I am”, gave me the foundation to build my understanding of the Independent Living Philosophy with all the people that I have had the honor to work with in the 37 years of learning and growing at CPWD. When I received my Masters in 1984, several of the l consumers of CPWD attended the graduation. What a grand celebration.

In an independent living environment, people with disabilities have more control and choice over their lives, more freedom to reach for their full potential, and more opportunity to integrate with community.

1675 Range Street
Boulder Colorado 80301

Follow us on social media