Career Paths
COC is blessed to operate in communities of south-central Iowa including Des Moines, Indianola, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, and Pella.
We offer a wide variety of employment opportunities:
- Direct support
- Program coordination
- Management
- Administration
- Food services
- Health services
- Computer services
- Spiritual services
In most cases, staff members work directly with people with disabilities and help them develop independent living skills. In our residential services program, staff members offer support in areas such as cooking, housekeeping, budgeting, shopping, and socialization. In employment programs, staff members help people meet quality and productivity standards while completing increasingly sophisticated work in community-based jobs.
Work Environment
All COC staff members have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others in a positive environment. Staff members are challenged to possess a vision beyond teaching specific tasks and assist people with disabilities to experience a meaningful life. COC encourages staff to continually ask themselves: “Is this the kind of place where I would want to live or work?”
COC has historically experienced very low staff turnover compared to other providers in the disability services field for several reasons:
- Christian values and purpose
- Quality people
- Positive and friendly culture
- Intense hiring practices
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Strong investment in training and development
- Extensive staff recognition and enhancement programs
- Strong internal promotion record
- Stable management team and fair practices
Because COC values family, staff members are encouraged to properly balance home and work lives. One way this is accomplished is through the many different work schedules available. COC has positions available all hours of the day, seven days per week. Some programs have standard 8-hour shifts while others have 24-hour shifts where employees work only two or three days per week with compensated sleeping time. These work schedules provide great flexibility to our staff members.
Training and Development
COC does not require any prior experience in disability services for most positions. COC provides a comprehensive training program that gives staff the tools necessary to succeed. In addition to the initial orientation and training period, COC invests in ongoing internal and external training events and seminars and provides regular online training.
Benefits and Compensation
COC offers competitive wages and benefits for full-time and part-time positions. Compensation is at a level that leads the disability services market and is weighted toward longevity of service. Other benefits include paid time off, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, retirement, employee assistance program, and numerous other supplemental benefits. A Staff Enhancement Fund allows staff to enjoy various perks and incentives throughout their employment at COC.