CDOC Mental Health Counselor Social Worker/Counselor II (Arkansas Valley)

State of Colorado•Crowley County, CO

58d•Onsite

About The Position

Position located in Crowley County, Colorado This posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location. Who May Apply: A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. However, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed in this job announcement. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies at these locations. Colorado Department of Corrections Mission: We are a team of dynamic and diverse professionals building a safer Colorado by cultivating transformative opportunities for those under our supervision. Our vision..."Building a safer Colorado for today and tomorrow". CORE Values Community Safety Dignity, Diversity and Respect Opportunity Collaborative partnerships If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient. In addition to a rewarding, meaningful career, state employment offers: Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system; Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Member Contribution Rates Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as "Safety Officers" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits. Medical and dental health plans; State of Colorado Benefits Paid life insurance; Short and long-term disability coverage; 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick time; Employee wellness programs; Tuition Reimbursement; Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs; Training opportunities and more. For questions regarding this job announcement please reach out to Brenda Valdez at [email protected] or 719-723-3891. Due to the State's current hiring freeze, this position will not be filled until January 1, 2026, or after, unless a hiring freeze waiver/exemption has been approved. The following announcement has been approved for recruitment through the waiver/exemption process during the temporary hiring freeze.

Requirements

Applicant must possess a master's degree from an accredited institution in one of the following mental health fields: counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy. You must attach a copy of your transcripts that contain your name, name of the accredited institution, type of degree received and date degree was conferred.
Possession of a current, valid permit or license from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as one of the following: Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Psychologist Candidate or Psychologist.
Ensure that the 'Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for. This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position. "See resume" statements cannot be accepted in lieu of the "work experience" section of the application. Additional work experience will not be accepted after the job announcement close date for compensation purposes.
Employees who are rehired or reinstated within six months of their separation will return at either their previous pay rate if hired into the same class level or based on their time in the class series, whichever is higher.
Ability to provide professional mental health or sex inmate treatment to inmates
Individual must be efficient
Able to participate in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external agencies
Ability to work independently
Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation
Must maintain required registration/permit/licensure as applicable to this assignment
Ability to work with a diverse population of inmates
Ability to provide professional mental health treatment as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Ability to read and comprehend the English language
Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.
Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations
Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift
Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction
Must be 21 years of age
Possess a valid driver's license.
Possess a high school diploma or GED
Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609. The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position.
Successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics
Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics
Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down
Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows
Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows
Swing a baton in a striking technique
Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic
Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions
Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment
Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security
Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury
Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner
Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed inmates
Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments
Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings
Willing and able to travel
Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule
TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
Successful completion of a background investigation is required
Employees may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana. A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass. Random drug screening will occur throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy or psychology from a program accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT or COAMFTE) or American Psychological Association (APA).
License eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist.
Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.

Responsibilities

Provides professional mental health services to inmates to include formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions
Assures accurate Information System mental health needs levels, including Psychiatric and Developmental Disability needs level codes
Provides group, brief, and individual therapy, and crisis intervention to include participation in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation
Assures both emergency and non-emergency transfer for inmates experiencing acute mental health needs
Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in mental health care and treatment of inmates
Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies
Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate mental health records
Monitors inmate treatment and listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction
Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control
Informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process, attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self protection skills

Benefits

Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Member Contribution Rates Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as "Safety Officers" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits.
Medical and dental health plans
Paid life insurance
Short and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick time
Employee wellness programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs
Training opportunities and more