CDOC Life Safety Coordinator - Safety Specialist III (Canon City)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Life Safety Coordinator creates, implements, and maintains safety program practices to ensure compliance with American Correctional Association standards and applicable federal, state, and local fire codes, health standards, hazardous materials regulations, and safety requirements. The position observes facility operations, conditions, incidents, procedures, physical surroundings, and equipment to identify safety concerns and ensure compliance. The recruitment is for Centennial Correctional Facility, with the eligibility list potentially used for future vacancies in Canon City, Colorado.

The coordinator ensures staff can access and understand the facility emergency plan, provides training and annual updates related to fire prevention and hazardous materials, conducts drills and inspections, and investigates fires and workplace accidents. The role also reviews construction and renovation plans for life-safety issues, advises management about inspection results and facility needs, and recommends or takes corrective action when unsafe conditions are found.

The position requires six years of professional work experience in risk management, occupational health, life safety, or municipal code enforcement, including inspections and staff training. A bachelor's degree in a listed or related field is required, subject to the stated education substitutions. Employment is contingent on meeting the listed eligibility and screening conditions, completing six weeks of CDOC Basic Training, and successfully completing its assessments and defensive tactics requirements. The role involves work in a correctional facility with security controls and may involve rotating shifts, physical intervention, exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum during training and assignment, and fluctuating noise and temperatures.

Requirements

• Six years of professional work experience in risk management, occupational health, life safety, or professional code enforcement with a municipality; experience must include inspections and staff training.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in occupational health, health administration, industrial hygiene, public health, industrial arts, industrial relations, hazardous materials, risk management, or a related field. The posting describes substitutions for the bachelor's degree, including qualifying master's or doctorate degrees and certain combinations of education and experience; required work experience cannot be substituted.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a comprehensive facility-wide program.
• Analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Computer skills.
• Self-control and the ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations.
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, mentally resilient under pressure, and observant throughout a shift.
• Tolerance for stress, confinement, and high-stakes interactions.
• Ability to read and comprehend English and communicate fluently in English verbally and in writing.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain-language guidelines.
• Must be at least 21 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; the department cannot provide H-1B sponsorship.
• Must successfully complete all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical defensive tactics exams.
• Must meet the stated physical capabilities for defensive tactics, observation, self-defense, controlling or subduing violent persons, walking and climbing stairs, and responding to restraint situations.
• Must be able and willing to travel and work various shifts, including days, afternoons, and graveyards, on a rotating schedule.
• Must complete tuberculosis screening upon hire, pass a background investigation and drug test, and be subject to random drug screening.
• Must meet the stated restrictions concerning felony convictions and prior adjudicated or convicted sexual abuse or sexual misconduct involving offenders or residents.
• Must provide transportation to and from the facility to enter through secured checkpoints; a valid driver's license is not required for this position, although applicable conditions apply to state-vehicle driving eligibility.
• Must consent to the medical screening required for a job offer and be certified able to perform the position's essential functions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience training others on life-safety concerns.
• Public-speaking experience.
• Fire and life-safety certifications.
• Confined Space Entry certification.
• Hazardous materials and specialized safety certifications.
• Biohazard certification.
• Experience with safe housekeeping and sanitation practices and documentation.
• Self-starter.

Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and maintain facility safety program practices that ensure compliance with applicable standards, codes, and regulations.
• Ensure staff have access to, are trained on, and understand the facility emergency plan; maintain thorough knowledge of the plan and facility hot spot locations.
• Provide annual updates on fire prevention and hazardous materials.
• Create lesson plans and provide instruction on fire work safety, hazardous materials, suppression equipment, officer survival techniques, and first aid.
• Assess facility needs and compile budget requests for safety program equipment and supplies.
• Monitor compliance with American Correctional Association standards and applicable fire codes, health standards, hazardous materials requirements, and safety standards.
• Conduct fire and evacuation drills and check fire suppression equipment.
• Advise management staff of inspection results and facility needs required to meet standards and codes.
• Review new construction and renovation plans for life-safety issues.
• Schedule and inspect the facility for hazardous conditions involving fire, hazardous materials, and worker safety.
• Recommend corrective action or take immediate corrective action when unsafe conditions pose imminent danger to life or property.
• Ensure annual fire inspections are completed and initiate appropriate plans of action when deficiencies are identified.
• Investigate fires and work-site accidents to determine their cause and origin.

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.
• Retirement benefits, including PERA Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level