EMPLOYMENT
State of Idaho Department of Human Resources
Mission: To provide the best in human resource management services designated to:
Provide a high-tech, customer oriented, and career based environment to attract, retain, and maximize a talented state workforce, Serve state agencies, Help state employees compete and thrive in this new century, Keep Idaho state government a competitive employer in today's market.
Frequently Asked Questions about Employment
in Idaho
Idaho Career Information System
Since 1980 CIS has been providing career and educational planning solutions for people in Idaho. It is the only comprehensive source of career information available about Idaho and the nation. They gather information and data from hundreds of sources and format it so people can:
Explore career opportunities;
Find educational programs, and the schools that offer them, related to those opportunities;
Make successful career decisions and educational plans;
Find work.
CIS is a public organization administered by the Idaho State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (SOICC). The SOICC, or Board of Directors, includes representation from the State Division of Professional-Technical Education, the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Office of the State Board of Education, and the Idaho Workforce Development Council.
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Temporary Employment Agencies
Look under "Employment Agencies" in your local phone book yellow pages.
This article explains that through the use of temporary employment agencies, many people with disabilities are able to get their foot in the door. This has proven to be an effective and non-traditional way to find a job for many people with disabilities.
Post Your Resume on the Internet
USAJOBS - The Federal Government recognizes that people with disabilities have a right to full and fair consideration for any job for which they apply. It strives to offer an environment in which all can reach their highest potential and make a difference for our country.
Federal positions are filled by people with or without disabilities. A Federal career can provide:
 Any
individual the opportunity to excel;
Challenges of a demanding job; and
Advancement potential or individual growth.
Having a disability will not be a disadvantage to you being considered
as an applicant for employment with the Federal Government or
in pursing career opportunities once you become an employee. Whether
it is working on a cure for cancer, AIDS or heart disease; designing
advanced avionics; or writing procurement contracts worth millions
of dollars, the challenge is there for individuals with the right
skills, motivation and attitude.
WorkplaceDiversity.com
This website contains a long list of employers who value diversity in the workplace.
JobAccess.org
The goal of JobAccess is to enable people with disabilities to enhance their professional lives by providing a dedicated system for finding employment. By posting job opportunities with JobAccess, employers not only exhibit an open door policy but also demonstrate their responsiveness to affirmative action by genuinely recruiting qualified persons with disabilities.
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Networking
Stay in contact with agencies and organizations in Idaho who support individuals with disabilities. Ask if they offer any support groups or information and referral resources.
TogetherDeaf.com
This website contains a list of employment opportunities for individuals with deafness.
Federal Employment of People with Disabilities
This site provides a simple and straightforward mechanism to help Americans, with and without disabilities, better understand how to hire and retain persons with disabilities. Their target audiences are applicants and employees with disabilities, Federal managers and supervisors, and human resources professionals. The site can help users:
Improve personal opportunities to transition from a status of unemployment or under-employment to one of successful employment and retention.
Learn about gaining access to reasonable accommodation in the Federal work place when appropriate.
Learn how to transition in career growth and placement to improve
opportunities for retention.
Understand disability hiring and retention programs, address under-representation,
enhance awareness, better integrate people with disabilities in
the workplace, and provide for reasonable accommodation as necessary.
Consult with Federal employees and applicants, promote equal employment
opportunity, and provide practical solutions to work-related issues
within the merit system and other legal framework.
Job Accommodation Network for Individuals with Disabilities
Job Accommodation Network (JAN), is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by:
1) Providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions,
2) Providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related
legislation, and
3) Educating callers about self-employment options.
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA)
The "Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999" landmark legislation modernizes the employment services system for people with disabilities and makes it possible for millions of Americans with disabilities to no longer have to choose between taking a job and having health care. CMS provides information to States, beneficiaries and advocacy groups on an ongoing basis concerning implementation of this important legislation.
For detailed information, visit "The Work Site". This section of The Work Site contains information on the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-170), and the Ticket to Work Program.
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Self-Employment Options
Self-employment can be a viable employment option for people with disabilities. People with disabilities report being self-employed at a higher rate than the general public and people with disabilities living in rural areas are more likely than their urban counterparts to pursue self-employment.
This site from the University of Montana Rural Institute is full of informative
information from current research to self-employment tools to fact sheets and
practice guidelines.
The U.S. Department of Labor offers the following considerations for individuals
with disabilities who are considering self-employment.
Important Considerations for Potential Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Self-employment offers many benefits for people with disabilities:
The freedom, flexibility and independence that come from working
for oneself;
The opportunity to work in a disability-friendly environment;
The ability to reduce the need for transportation;
The ability to accommodate changing functional levels;
The ability to create an accessible work environment;
Individuals with disabilities who receive income support, such
as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) disability payments can increase their
income while staying within the income and asset requirements
of those programs.
TITLE I Equal Employment Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities
THESE PROVISIONS OF THE ADA ARE EFFECTIVE JULY 26, 1992 for employers with 25 or more employees and on JANUARY 26, 1994 for Employers with 15 or more employees. In Idaho there is also a state law prohibiting discrimination in all phases of the employment relationship including on the basis of disability. Idaho law prohibiting discrimination reaches even small employers, those with at least 5 employees.
Under the ADA employers cannot discriminate in their application or employment practices against a qualified individual with a disability. If necessary the employer must provide a reasonable accommodation for the person to perform the essential functions of the job unless this accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the employer (29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1630).
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VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's program goal is to place Idahoans with disabilities into the workforce by securing and maintaining productive employment. IDVR can provide the services required to assist you to go to work and can assist you in locating suitable employment. Only services that you need to reach employment will be provided.
The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has 36 field offices located across the state to provide VR Services.
Which office to contact?
Contact Boise East if your zip code in Boise is: 83716,
83702, 83706, 83705, 83712, 83714 after 41st Street, or if you
live in Idaho City, Mountain Home.
Contact Boise West if your zip code in Boise is: 83709, 83703,
83704, 83714-before 41st street, or if you live in Cascade, Eagle,
Emmett, Kuna, McCall, Garden Valley or Meridian.
Contact Caldwell if you live in the following counties: Canyon,
Washington, Adams, Payette, Gem.
Contact Coeur d'Alene if you live in the following counties: Boundary,
Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, Shoshone.
Contact Idaho Falls if you live in the following counties: Lemhi,
Custer, Butte, Clark, Jefferson, Fremont, Madison, Teton, Bonneville.
Contact Lewiston if you live in the following counties: Latah,
Clearwater, Nez Perce, Lewis, Idaho.
Contact Pocatello if you live in the following counties: Bingham,
Caribou, Power, Bannock, Oneida, Franklin, Bear Lake.
Contact Twin Falls if you live in the following counties: Camas,
Blaine, Gooding, Lincoln, Jerome, Minidoka, Twin Falls, Cassia
Mission: We believe that independence and self-worth are enhanced through employment. We are committed to empowering people with disabilities with appropriate resources to make informed choices about their futures. We are dedicated to being a strong voice for people with disabilities. We strive to promote cooperation and coordination between all entities to ensure the provision of appropriate services to people with disabilities in Idaho.
Benefits that Vocational Rehabilitation Provides to Individuals with Disabilities:
Vocational guidance and counseling for adjustment to
disability, vocational exploration, and planning for entry or
re-entry into the world of work.
Assessment to determine vocational strengths and weaknesses to
plan for services required to reach the employment outcome.
Training for those who need a career change because of disability.
Such training can involve higher education, on the job training,
vocational-technical training, etc.
Tools and licenses can be provided, if needed, to enter a specific
trade or profession.
Medical assistance can be provided, if needed, to secure or maintain
employment and it is part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
Job development and placement involves you and your Vocational
Rehabilitation Counselor working together to secure employment.
Rehabilitation Technology can be provided to assist you in preparation
for or placement on the job site.
Follow-along can be extremely important to ensure that your job
is successful. Such follow-along can assist in resolving any job
problems that may occur.
Services to Businesses & Professional Organizations
The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offers an array
of services to assist you in employing individuals with disabilities
so that you can maintain a qualified, productive and diverse work
environment. VR is interested in assisting you to be as profitable
as possible by providing cost-effective assistance when issues
arise.
Accessibility Issues: VR can refer you to people who can assess
the conditions which may create barriers to serving your clientele
or employing your workforce. They can make recommendations for
overcoming these barriers.
Job Placement Resource: VR identifies community job opportunities
and assists employees with disabilities to enter or re-enter the
workforce.
Qualified Job Applicant Referrals: VR provides training and counseling
to thousands of individuals each year, preparing them for a myriad
of jobs. VR counselors match the skills and abilities of potential
employees to the specific requirements of your jobs. Qualified
applicants are pre-screened to reduce your costs associated with
recruitment and hiring.
On the Job Training: VR can reimburse you for additional training
time that may be needed at your place of employment to assist
referred individuals with learning the specific tasks of a particular
job.
Job Coaching Services: Some employees need more individualized
training than others. In these instances, VR can contract with
job coaches to assist in getting your employees up to speed with
specific job tasks.
Consultation on Disability Issues: Vocational rehabilitation professionals
are available to meet with you and your staff to answer your questions
concerning employing people with disabilities including: "How
can I integrate people with disabilities into my organization?"
"How do I work with a person who has a disability?" "What does
it cost to hire a person with a disability?"
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Identify the eligibility requirements:
Any individual with a disability that prevents him/her from working may apply. A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will assess your situation and determine whether or not you are eligible for VR services. A person may be eligible if he or she:
Has a physical or mental impairment (disability), which constitutes
or results in a substantial impediment (barrier) to employment and
requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure,
retain, or regain employment; and can benefit in terms of an employment
outcome; or
SSI or SSDI recipients who intend to achieve an employment outcome.
Special Caseloads
PASS Plan (Plans to Achieve Self-Support):
What is a Plan to Achieve SelfSupport (PASS)? A PASS is a tool that a person with a disability or blindness uses to set aside income or resources to reach a work goal. For example, a person could set aside money for an educational or training program or to start a business.
Who may have a plan? You may have a PASS if you receive or are eligible for SSI benefits and have income or resources, other than those needed for living expenses, which can be set aside to pay for items or services needed to reach your work goal.
How does a plan affect my SSI benefit? Money that you save under an approved plan will not count against your resource limit of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
What are the minimum requirements for a PASS plan?
A PASS plan must:Be in writing and be approved by us;
Have a specific work goal which the person can probably reach;
Say how long it will take for the person to reach the goal;
Say what income or resources will be set aside and how they will be spent;
Explain how you will keep the income or resources set aside separate from other
money you have; and
Describe any goods and services you will need to reach the goal and explain why
you will need them.
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How do I set up a plan?
Anybody may help you write a plan including a vocational counselor
or a relative. We can also help you with a plan or refer you to
someone who can help you write a plan.
You can get a copy of the PASS application Form SSA545BK from
your local Social Security office or online at:
They also have contracts with different organizations to assist beneficiaries with disabilities who want to work. For more information, go to the Social Security work site at:
Mental Health
Vocational Rehabilitation works closely with the Department of Health and Welfare's Mental Health Program to provide services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Services are provided utilizing a team approach and are focused on assisting the mental health clientele to work in the community. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and Case Management Teams have been established around the state and VR has placed counselors with these teams to address employment issues.
Students with Disabilities
Vocational Rehabilitation works with students with disabilities who require assistance to transition from school to employment. Vocational Rehabilitation maintains relationships with schools throughout the state to serve students needing this assistance. Any student can apply directly for services without referral from the school. These individuals must meet the vocational rehabilitation eligibility criteria.
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State of Idaho Department of Human Resources