Technical Specifications - Job Shadow

Job Shadow is a career exploration activity designed to increase a consumer's awareness of specific occupations through direct observation in an integrated, community-based work environment. Consumers observe daily routines, essential job functions and skills, and workplace culture of a job of interest, allowing for increased understanding of what a job may entail and informed decision-making about future careers. Job Shadow supports person-centered, competitive integrated employment (CIE) principles by providing firsthand exposure to real work settings. The service is temporary, unpaid, and does not involve the consumer performing productive work.

Consumer Engagement

Successful Job Shadow experiences rely on active participation by the consumer, coordination between DVR and the Service Provider, and clear communication before and after the experience. Consumers are expected to engage in the activity, ask questions, and reflect on what they observe to support career planning and decision-making.

Summary of Services Table

Service Delivery Expectations

• A DVR Authorization for Services is required before any services can begin.

Job Shadow Service Overview

Job Shadow provides an opportunity for consumers to observe and experience the essential functions of a job in a real-world, community-based environment. Consumers may participate in an accompanied or unaccompanied job shadow, depending on needs and/or authorization. The activity is temporary, unpaid, and designed for observation and career exploration.

Service Components

• Observation of the work environment, daily routines, and occupational skills.
• Creation and completion of a questionnaire (example below), with questions for the consumer to ask the employer, to be completed by the consumer and/or accompanying Service Provider.
• Discuss results of the Job Shadow with the consumer, using an agreed-upon method (in-person, phone, virtual, or email), based on consumer needs. Service Provider must inform DVR of the method of review for proper case documentation.
• At times, a job shadow may offer the opportunity for a consumer to try hands-on tasks associated with the job. This may be appropriate; however, the consumer may not perform productive work which would benefit the employer.
• A job shadow is different than an employer tour. Tours are brief, observational visits without engagement in daily work and/or communication/interviews with employees on site. Job shadows give the consumer an opportunity to observe more of the essential functions of the job, witness employees complete their tasks, ask them questions about their job, etc.

Service Requirements

Service Providers must:

• Arrange the job shadow site and communicate details with DVR.
• Determine the appropriate duration of the job shadow. Enough time should be spent on-site to allow the consumer to get a clear understanding of the requirements of the job, with flexibility as needed to accommodate consumer learning and employer schedule.
• Assist the consumer in preparing and completing a questionnaire about the employer, job duties, tools, training, workplace culture, and any other questions they are interested in knowing.
• Discuss results of the job shadow with the consumer via an agreed-upon method (in-person, phone, virtual, or email)

Documentation/Reporting Expectations

Required documentation for this service must be completed using the Job Shadow Report (DVR-18030-E).

Requests to use an alternate reporting template must be submitted to DVR for approval and must include all required elements in the same sequence as the DVR template.

Example Questions for Job Shadow:

1. What is your job title?
2. What are your job duties?
3. What kinds of tools are required for your position?
4. What is a typical day like for you?
5. What kind of interaction do you have daily? (With co-workers, public, supervisors, etc.)
6. What is your favorite part of the job?
7. What is your least favorite part of the job?
8. What training did you need to complete to obtain this position?
9. Is this job stressful?
10. What are you required to wear to work? (Steel-toe boots, scrubs, gym shoes, uniform, etc.)
11. Are there any safety concerns?
12. Any other pertinent information/comments?
13. (Consumer follow-up): What did I observe during my job shadow?

• Job Shadow Report (DVR-18030-E)
• Shared Roles and Responsibilities in DVR Services