Correctional Security Officer I - Public Safety

State of Colorado•Pueblo, CO

49d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is to provide a safe, secure environment for all persons on the grounds of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo and within the surrounding community, by enforcing laws and regulations involving the custody of criminally insane patients of the Institute and of convicted felons from the Department of Corrections and the Division of Youth Corrections. This position is aware of and adheres to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DPS Policy, and CMHIP specific procedure. Specific duties and expectations of the job are detailed in the 5 sections below: Safety/Security; Programming; Documentation/Recording; Training and Organizational Accountability.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
FULL BACKGROUND CHECK: This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: "Direct contact" means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee. "Direct contact" may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.)
CBI & FBI fingerprint check, Colorado Court Database check, Medicare Fraud Database, TRAILS Database check.
Possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license
Shift work - may get pulled to other shifts to cover minimum Officer management
Travel - transportation of patients in State vehicles; Travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites
Former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination, or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS

Nice To Haves

College education (preferably 2 years or more) in behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field
Experience working with patients in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching
Experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques.
Experience working in a high security locked environment
Experience working with patients who suffer from mental illness
Relevant years of state service experience.

Responsibilities

Providing the direct care, safety, security and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated patients in a locked setting
Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations
Employ sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible crises promptly taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff
Participate in defusing and debriefing all incidents
Monitor the movement of patients in the units or throughout the building
Escort and transport to activities or appointments internal and/or external
Conduct searches of persons' property or areas according to schedule or as needed
Check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms, and building grounds to minimize escape risk
Actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills, and CTI skills when interacting with patients and staff positively and respectfully
Provide interior security within the facility by patrolling the patient areas on irregular patrols establishing preventative enforcement through Officer presence
Provide for and promote a safer, more therapeutic environment by meeting expectations to provide both a deterrent to assaults as well as an additional resource to manage actual assaults and crises
Actively and with positive engagement, implement and follow policies and program procedures
Observe, monitor, detect, record, and report problem behaviors
Communicate expectations for behavior, events, rules, or other milieu requirements
Use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with patients, overcome resistance to change, and communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances
Support CMHIP/DPS initiatives and strategies as they relate to patient programming and crisis intervention
Provide officer presence in common areas providing a safer and more therapeutic environment
Respond to crises and assist staff in gaining control of hostile situations
Document observations of patient behavior and response to treatment
Document all unit activities and relevant information on the daily shift log
Ensures validity and continuity in the security accounting and reporting system by accurately reporting all pertinent security information in log books and by attaining and preserving all essential patient documents
Report known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to prevailing statute
Demonstrate, support, and contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful cultural climate throughout the facility and in all communications
Communicates with internal/external customers, residents, subordinate staff, and co-workers in a professional manner; ensuring to communicate with respect and dignity
Adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct and DPS Policy and Procedures
Be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, and implementing Procedures
Adhere to CDHS, DPS Policy, and CMHIP Procedures regarding work schedule, timekeeping, and leave practices.
Perform continuous, irregular patrols within the facility
Attend and actively participate in all assigned training and successfully complete any/all testing or other requirements for such training
Maintain required certifications as appropriate. Successful completion may be known or recorded by score or demonstration of skill
Meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing CMHIP/DPS Policy
Required to assist per recommendations from the Appointing Authority and/or Supervisor, should other duties within reason arise in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes, CDHS, CMHIP and DPS Policies and Procedures.

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.