CDOC State Teacher I - Special Education Instructor - (Pueblo)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The State Teacher I teaches entry-level job skills in special education and general academics to incarcerated individuals at the Youthful Offender System in Pueblo, Colorado. The role provides classroom instruction in accordance with the Colorado Department of Education and promotes practical skills, self-discipline, and motivation to support students’ career development and reintegration into the community.

The position also contributes to facility safety and security. Duties include inmate management and observation, security posts, counts, searches, shakedowns, escorts, movement control, and managing access to classrooms. The position requires successful completion of the Colorado Department of Corrections’ six-week Basic Training and the ability to work various shifts, including a rotating schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education or a closely related field; out-of-state applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in an education-related field.
• Colorado applicants must possess a valid Colorado Professional or Initial Teacher License with a Special Education Endorsement. Out-of-state applicants must possess the appropriate educator license for their state.
• Applicants hired with a Colorado Initial License must obtain a Colorado Professional Teacher License within three years of hire.
• Significant knowledge of effective teaching strategies, methods, and techniques.
• Strong interpersonal and customer-service, conflict-resolution, self-motivation, organization, planning, prioritization, written communication, and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency with office technologies, especially Microsoft Office Suite, and precise attention to detail.
• Ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations while remaining alert, emotionally stable, mentally resilient, and observant under pressure.
• Ability to tolerate stress, confinement, and high-stakes interactions; read and comprehend English; communicate fluently in English verbally and in writing; and create accessible documents and technical content following plain-language guidelines.
• Must be at least 21 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and hold a valid driver’s license. State drivers must meet applicable Colorado driver’s license and driving-record requirements.
• Must have no felony convictions and meet the stated restrictions concerning sexual abuse or misconduct involving offenders or residents.
• Must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
• Must successfully complete all modules of the six-week CDOC Basic Training, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical defensive-tactics exams.
• Must meet the physical requirements for defensive tactics and security duties, including controlling or subduing violent persons, defending oneself or others, and completing required movements and physical techniques.
• Must be able to see and hear to observe and respond to potential safety and security breaches.
• Must be willing and able to travel and work various shifts, including days, afternoons, graveyards, and a rotating shift schedule.
• Must complete tuberculosis screening upon hire and pass a background investigation and drug test; random drug screening occurs during employment.
• Must consent to medical screening and be certified able to perform the position’s essential functions.
• Must be able to work in environments with fluctuating noise and temperatures, potentially outdoors in inclement weather or in concrete-floor and concrete-wall settings.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in education or a related field.
• Experience teaching and assessing high-risk or incarcerated adults or youth.

Responsibilities

• Teach and mentor incarcerated students individually and in large and small groups to promote academic performance skills.
• Assess students’ educational needs and develop short- and long-term goals, including high school progression or high school equivalency.
• Review, revise, and create lessons appropriate to students’ abilities, using multisensory instructional approaches and materials.
• Select and administer performance assessments to measure student progress, course-completion requirements, and training or testing effectiveness.
• Collaborate with teaching team members and other special education staff.
• Prepare reports and maintain records, including grades, attendance rosters, and training activity details.
• Serve as an academic and vocational advisor to assigned students.
• Document student achievements, competencies, and contact hours toward certificate requirements.
• Participate in residents’ program team staffing and the Progress Assessment Summary process.
• Promote facility safety and security through effective inmate management, conflict resolution, observation, and adherence to agency regulations and the Code of Penal Discipline.
• Perform security duties, including working security posts, conducting inmate counts, shakedowns and searches, escorts, movement control, and managing inmate access to classrooms.
• Adhere to the CDOC Mission and Vision and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.
• PERA defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid life insurance.
• Eleven 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: Entry Level