On June 16, Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) and the Department co-hosted a hiring workshop in Sacramento. The event, held in partnership with CalABLE and tkMomentum, was designed to offer career guidance to individuals receiving services from ACRC who are interested in pursuing jobs with the Department. Nearly 30 attendees participated in a half-day of coaching, tools, and one-on-one support.
“We really want to hire more individuals who have lived experience, and this is part of that process,” said Yusuf Lang, a manager at the Department’s Examinations and Outreach unit, who helped organize the event.
The workshop focused on interview preparation and how to navigate the State of California’s job application system. This included help with writing a Statement of Qualifications, a document often required when applying for State jobs.
Representatives from the Department of Rehabilitation helped attendees navigate the State’s Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) certification process. The LEAP is an alternate examination and appointment process for the recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities into State service. CalABLE representatives also provided guidance on how employment may affect Social Security and disability benefits.
“I’m just looking for a State job right now, so I’ve been browsing CalCareers a lot and focusing on LEAP certification,” said Randy Wheat, a job seeker who attended the workshop. “I got my LEAP certification while I was here, so I’ll be able to move forward with that process.”
Whether attendees arrived unsure of how to begin or interested in a specific position, the goal was the same: to open doors and remove barriers to employment. Attendees brought a wide range of goals, from landing a janitorial job to exploring administrative opportunities.
Brittanie Sanders discusses the type of job she’s interested in with one of our representatives.
“I’m very passionate about getting a job with DDS to help people like me. Not only advocate for myself, but advocate for others,” said Brittanie Sanders. “Today I’m here to learn some skills.”
This might have been the first event of its kind in collaboration with ACRC, but it won’t be the last.
“We’re hoping to get some really solid feedback that will help my team and improve future events,” said Yusuf. “We would like to do more of these events with ACRC and with any other regional center that would be willing to have us!”
If you’re interested in learning more about employment opportunities with the Department, please visit our LinkedIn page to book an appointment to speak with one of our recruiters!
Our list of job openings always is available here: https://www.dds.ca.gov/general/careers/