Employment

employment

Whether you want to find employment or education and enrichment opportunities, Montgomery County has lots of options and resources. On this page learn about Montgomery County's Disability Employment & Hiring Initiatives.

On this page

Employment and Job Search Support
Name Description
WorkSource Montgomery - Partner of the American Job Center Network
  • Provide accessible employment and training opportunities.
  • Career center services include assessment, job-search tools, job preparation skills, placement, and on-the-job training.
  • Dislocated Worker Program assists eligible job seekers who have lost their jobs as a result of company closings or layoffs.
  • Job centers are operated through a coalition of providers: WorkSource Montgomery, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Rehabilitative Services, and other local non-profits and agencies to provide a comprehensive, quality service to county job seekers.
Maryland State Department of Education - Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Maryland State Department of Education - Division of Rehabilitation Services Wheaton Office
11002 Veirs Mill Road #605
Wheaton, MD 20902
301-306-3600 (Voice) • 301-200-8084 (Videophone) • E-mail:   [email protected]
  • DORS Vocational Rabilitation programs specialize in helping people with disabilities obtain competitive employment in an integrated setting.
  • If you are eligible, you will work with a DORS counselor to choose from programs and services such as: career counseling and decision making based on your interests, abilities, and goals; training to prepare for employment; skills training leading to credentials to meet local labor market demands; job search and job placement services; job coaching and supported employment services ; assistive technology solutions for disability related needs.
  • Individuals with the most severe disabilities are served on a priority basis.
  • Some eligible individuals with less severe disabilities may be placed on a waiting list for services.

MCG Disability Employment & Hiring Initiatives

Veteran Hiring Preference - Montgomery County Office of Human Resources

Priority consideration for initial appointment to a County merit system position is given to the following persons in the following order:

  • a veteran with a disability
  • an equal preference for a veteran without a disability and a person with a disability

If you wish to claim any of a hiring preference for a Montgomery County merit system position, you must answer the Hiring Preference online questions as part of your application.

Hiring Preference Requirements for a Person with a Disability

  • Must be rated and placed in the highest category on the eligible list.
  • Must have a developmental disability, severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability within the meaning of 5 CFR 213.2102(u), the criteria used by the Federal Office of Personnel Management for noncompetitive appointment to Federal merit system positions under its special hiring authority; and
  • Must be certified by the Veterans Administration or the Maryland Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services or equivalent out-of-state vocational rehabilitation agency as meeting the above standard of disability.

Non-Competitive Hiring - Montgomery County Office of Human Resources

If you have a permanent, severe physical, psychiatric or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity and are certified by Maryland Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (or an equivalent out of State Agency), you may meet the eligibility requirements under the Non-Competitive Hiring Program. To create a profile, submit documentation of your disability (this is required) and upload your resume into the Hiring Initiative Registration for Employment Database (HIRED).

Project SEARCH - Montgomery County Office of Human Resources 

Project SEARCH is a program dedicated to providing education and training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through an innovative workforce and career development model that benefits the individual, the workplace and community. The program is for transitioning youth with disabilities (high school students or recent high school graduates) and young adults aged between 18 and 28, receiving funding from DDA. The unique nature of Project SEARCH is that during the 30-week program year, the interns are supported by a full time, business-based support team of job coaches provided by SEEC and a full time instructor provided by Ivymount School. The onsite team provides the daily support and infrastructure to the interns and supervisors to ensure overall success in a variety of County Departments and partnering agencies, including Montgomery Parks, City of Gaithersburg, City of Rockville and Montgomery College.

Education and Enrichment
Name Description
Montgomery College Workforce Development & Continuing Education Courses
  • Offers a wide range of noncredit classes for individuals in career transition, and those updating technical skills, as well as those seeking knowledge enrichment.
  • Courses include skill development, professional certifications and employment advancement. 
Montgomery College Challenge Program
  • The Challenge Program provides unique open enrollment enrichment courses for adults with developmental disabilities to help them function more independently in their homes, at work, and in the community.
  • The courses are designed to enhance skills, develop new skills, and/or hone skills students may have already acquired.
  • Of equal importance, students will have the opportunity to increase their social and community awareness by learning at Montgomery College. 
  • Students work very closely with Disability Support Services, (DSS) counselor to confidentially disclose their disability so that they received the appropriate accommodations to be successful in the classroom. 
  • This program is offered on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College.
Montgomery County Public Libraries
  • Offers free online courses in software, technology, creative, business skills, web design, photo editing, test preparation, job search, grant writing, creative writing and much more.
  • These courses include both  Gale and  Lynda.com offerings.