CDOC (Social Worker/Counselor IV) - Behavioral Health Peer Mentor Program Coordinator (DENVER)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Corrections is hiring a Behavioral Health Peer Mentor Program Coordinator to provide leadership, oversight, and direction for its Behavioral Health Peer Mentor Program. The position plans and maintains peer recovery support services, ensures compliance with applicable Behavioral Health Administration and COPA requirements, and manages program resources. The role is based at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility and is eligible for a hybrid workplace, with frequent travel to regional supervisory sites in Sterling and Limon and other DOC facilities.

The coordinator works with facility administration, behavioral health staff, education staff, community providers, and state service providers to develop peer programming, organize training and supervision, and track peer participation and work hours. The position supervises assigned staff, supports day-to-day program operations, enters payroll, and maintains required licenses and certifications. The role includes providing direct patient care to inmates and completing the Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training and its physical and competency requirements.

Requirements

• Hold a current, valid Colorado DORA license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Psychologist, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).
• Have two years of licensed or licensed-candidacy experience with current, valid Colorado licensure, including as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate; experience must involve the mental health and/or sex offender population.
• Have advanced knowledge and a thorough understanding of mental health standards and guidelines.
• Be able to expand clinical knowledge through continuing education on innovative techniques and research.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across facility programs and with external agencies.
• Have strong leadership and analytical skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Be able to read, understand, and communicate fluently in English, verbally and in writing.
• Be able to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain-language guidelines.
• Be able to provide direct patient care to inmates and maintain required licensure.
• Be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license; maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver’s license and meet state driving-record standards for operating a state vehicle.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED and have no felony convictions as described in the announcement.
• Be legally eligible to work in the United States and successfully pass a background investigation, medical screening, drug testing, and required tuberculosis screening.
• Successfully complete all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, including reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical defensive-tactics exams.
• Meet the physical requirements for defensive tactics and correctional work, including the ability to control or restrain people, defend oneself or others, and perform the listed movement, strength, agility, and sensory tasks.
• Be willing and able to travel and work various shifts, including days, afternoons, nights, and rotating schedules.
• Be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds and with individuals who may be mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or assaultive, using tactfulness and a congenial manner.
• Be able to work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, including outdoors in inclement weather and in concrete-floor or concrete-wall settings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and knowledge in peer recovery support services.
• Supervisory experience over professional behavioral health staff, including decisions affecting subordinate employees’ pay, status, or tenure.
• Meet DORA’s minimum qualifications to provide clinical supervision based on the candidate’s license.
• Experience providing clinical supervision or instruction to employees or interns, including reviewing treatment plans and measuring treatment goals.
• Experience providing behavioral health treatment and discharge planning.
• Experience leading and overseeing a behavioral health program.
• Extensive licensed experience providing behavioral health treatment.
• Experience working with peers in a behavioral health setting.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and maintain delivery of peer recovery support services while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines and appropriate use of resources.
• Travel to DOC facilities to provide oversight, guidance, and supervision of Behavioral Health Peer Mentor Programs.
• Coordinate with facility administration, staff, and behavioral health administrators about inmates’ peer recovery support needs.
• Establish peer training and supervision plans, develop peer programming, and track peer participation.
• Develop and maintain a database to monitor work and supervision hours for peers providing recovery support services.
• Coordinate peer recovery support services training with the DOC Education Department, facility administration, behavioral health administrators, and facility behavioral health supervisors.
• Supervise, organize, review, and evaluate assigned staff’s work for competency and efficiency.
• Recommend hiring and corrective action for assigned staff, with accurate, timely, and appropriate documentation.
• Maintain standards of practice and verify compliance with applicable behavioral health, COPA, and state peer specialist regulatory requirements.
• Complete payroll entry and address day-to-day operational problems for the assigned unit or program.
• Consult with and train facility, community, and state service providers on peer recovery support services.
• Maintain required licensure and certifications for specialized behavioral health services.
• Provide direct patient care to inmates.

Benefits

• PERA defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid life insurance.
• 11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave.
• Wellness program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Training opportunities.
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED