CDOC Mental Health Counselor Social Worker/Counselor II (Buena Vista)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Corrections is hiring a Social Work/Counselor II to provide professional mental health services to inmates at Buena Vista Correctional Complex. The role includes clinical assessment and treatment, crisis response, coordination of care, documentation, and collaboration with correctional and clinical staff. The position participates in a 24-hour mental health on-call rotation and works in a correctional environment where safety and security are essential. Applicants must hold a current, valid Colorado license or registration as an LSW, LCSW, LPCC, LMFTC, or ADDC candidate, or hold a full Colorado license in one of those fields. The position requires the ability to complete six-week CDOC Basic Training, including assessments and defensive tactics training, and to meet the physical, medical, background, and other conditions of employment described in the announcement. Candidates must establish Colorado residency if selected, be at least 21 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, and have valid U.S. work authorization. CDOC does not provide H-1B sponsorship. This posting is open to Colorado residents and non-residents, but selected candidates must establish residency in Colorado. The position is at Buena Vista Correctional Complex. Employees may be required to work various shifts, including days, afternoons, and nights, on a rotating schedule, and must be willing and able to travel. The announcement notes that a housing provider may assist employees in the Buena Vista area, but housing is not guaranteed or operated by CDOC.

Requirements

Current, valid Colorado license or registered-candidate status as an LSW, LCSW, LPCC, LMFTC, or ADDC candidate; a current full Colorado license in any of these fields also qualifies.
Ability to provide professional mental health or sex-inmate treatment to inmates.
Ability to participate in a 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate fluently in English and read and comprehend English.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across facility programs and with external agencies.
Ability to work independently and provide comprehensive clinical documentation.
Ability to maintain required registration, permit, or licensure as applicable to the assignment.
Ability to work with a diverse inmate population and provide professional mental health treatment as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follow plain-language guidelines.
Self-control and the ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations while remaining alert, emotionally stable, mentally resilient, and observant.
Tolerance for stress, confinement, and high-stakes interactions.
At least 21 years of age.
Valid driver’s license; drivers must meet the stated Colorado driver’s license and driving-record requirements.
High school diploma or GED.
No felony convictions, as specified in the announcement.
Valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
Successful completion of the six-week CDOC Basic Training, including reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical defensive-tactics exams.
Physical ability to complete defensive-tactics activities, including lifting arms overhead, kicking to waist height, controlling and taking down another person, delivering blows, withstanding impact, using a baton, rotating and striking, and repeatedly getting down on and up from the knees.
Ability to see and hear to observe and respond to potential safety and security breaches; physically able to seize, hold, control, or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others.
Ability to demonstrate agility and strength in all four limbs, and to walk and climb stairs consistently.
Ability to work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person, or restraint; interact tactfully with people of diverse backgrounds and with mental illness or emotional disturbance.
Ability to communicate by speaking, listening, and/or signaling; work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, including outdoors in inclement weather and in concrete-floor or concrete-wall settings.
Willingness and ability to travel and work various shifts, including days, afternoons, and graveyard shifts on a rotating schedule.
Successful medical screening, tuberculosis screening, background investigation, and drug testing; random drug screening may occur during employment.
Must meet the stated restrictions and agency standards concerning prior sexual-abuse-related conduct, prior disciplinary separation from state employment, and substance use.
Must establish Colorado residency if selected and accept the position.

Nice To Haves

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 CACREP, CSWE, AAMFT or COAMFTE, or APA.
License eligibility as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Psychologist.
Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.

Responsibilities

Provide formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions for inmates.
Maintain accurate mental health needs levels in the information system, including psychiatric and developmental disability need-level codes.
Provide group, brief, and individual therapy, as well as crisis intervention; participate in a 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation.
Ensure emergency and non-emergency transfers for inmates experiencing acute mental health needs.
Provide clinical direction to non-clinical staff regarding mental health care and treatment of inmates.
Maintain continuity of care through appropriate referrals and by providing necessary information and documentation to receiving units, facilities, or agencies.
Prepare accurate and timely handwritten and electronic documentation for comprehensive inmate mental health records.
Monitor inmate treatment, listen to inmate concerns, and provide counseling and direction.
Promote and remain accountable for safety and security through conscientious observation and sensitive-item contraband control.
Report safety and security violations through the report-writing process.
Attend assigned training programs, including a self-defense course, to support personal protection skills.

Benefits

Career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.
PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
Correctional Officers I–IV qualify as Safety Officers and are eligible for increased PERA benefits.
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.
Possible employee housing assistance through Fading West Development LLC; housing is not guaranteed and is not operated by CDOC.