CDOC Social Work/Counselor II Mental Health - Denver

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

6d•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 the Denver Correctional Complex. The position performs mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions; provides individual, brief, and group therapy and crisis intervention; and participates in a 24-hour mental health on-call rotation. The role also supports continuity of care, accurate clinical documentation, and the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment. Applicants must hold a current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate status in an eligible behavioral health field. The position requires successful completion of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, including assessments and defensive tactics training. The selected candidate must establish Colorado residency, meet medical and background screening requirements, and be able to fulfill the listed physical and safety duties.

Requirements

Hold a current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate status as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate (LMFTC), or Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC); a current full Colorado license in an eligible field also meets this requirement.
Maintain the required registration, permit, or licensure applicable to the assignment.
Be able to provide professional mental health or sex-inmate treatment to inmates.
Be efficient and able to work independently as well as effectively on a multidisciplinary team.
Be able to participate in a 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation.
Have excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate with facility programs and external agencies.
Be able to provide comprehensive clinical documentation and create accessible documents and technical content that follow plain-language guidelines.
Be able to work with a diverse inmate population and read, comprehend, and communicate fluently in English, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrate self-control, emotional stability, mental resilience, alertness, and observation skills in stressful and potentially violent situations, including tolerance for stress, confinement, and high-stakes interactions.
Be at least 21 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED.
Possess a valid driver’s license and meet the stated Colorado driver’s license and driving-record requirements for operating a state vehicle.
Have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
Have no felony convictions and meet the stated restrictions concerning sexual abuse or misconduct involving offenders.
Successfully pass medical screening, a background investigation, 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 examinations.
Meet the stated physical abilities for defensive tactics and correctional work, including lifting, kicking, striking, controlled takedowns, restraint, agility, strength, and walking and climbing stairs.
Be able to see and hear to observe and respond to safety and security breaches, and be able to work in restraint situations and respond to assaultive behavior.
Be willing and able to travel and work various shifts, including days, afternoons, and nights on a rotating schedule.
Be willing and able to work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, potentially outdoors in inclement weather and in concrete-floor or concrete-wall settings.
Be able to work with people of different sexes, diverse racial and ethnic groups, and mentally ill or emotionally disturbed offenders.

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 Information System mental health needs levels, including Psychiatric and Developmental Disability needs level codes.
Provide group, brief, and individual therapy, as well as crisis intervention, and participate in the 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation.
Arrange emergency and non-emergency transfers for inmates experiencing acute mental health needs.
Provide clinical direction to non-clinical staff regarding inmate mental health care and treatment.
Support continuity of care by making appropriate referrals and providing necessary information and documentation to receiving units, facilities, or agencies.
Create accurate and timely handwritten and electronic documentation to maintain comprehensive inmate mental health records.
Monitor inmate treatment, listen to inmate concerns, and provide counseling and direction.
Promote and maintain safety and security in clinical and correctional settings through observation and sensitive-item contraband control.
Report safety and security violations to a supervisor through the report-writing process.
Attend assigned training programs, including self-defense training, to maintain self-protection skills.

Benefits

PERA defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, 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.
Career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.