State Teacher I - Fort Logan

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The State Teacher I provides educational programming for adolescent and adult patients at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan. The primary focus is special education services and case management for youth ages 12–21 with disabilities. Educational programming supports patient therapy, academic development, coping skills related to disabilities, and GED study. The position helps the hospital meet legal obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Colorado’s Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA), including maintaining Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and providing appropriate education to eligible patients. The teacher delivers individualized and group academic and therapeutic instruction, assesses student needs and progress, develops lesson plans and education plans, maintains academic and medical-record documentation, and coordinates educational and therapeutic services with treatment teams. The position participates in meetings, maintains required licensure and training, and may perform other duties assigned to support the unit and department. The employee must work at the assigned location during scheduled work times; work arrangements may change. Colorado residency is required at application and throughout employment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
Current, valid Colorado Department of Education Initial or Professional Teacher license with an endorsement in Special Education, Math, or English; the special qualifications section specifies a current Colorado secondary education license with one of these endorsements.
A current, valid Interim Teacher license or Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization may substitute for the Colorado Initial or Professional Teacher license. For academic teaching assignments only, a current Colorado Adult Basic Education Authorization, Initial Special Services, or Special Services license may also substitute.
Active, current, unencumbered teacher certification from the State of Colorado.
Pass all modules of the hospital’s New Employee Orientation core curriculum, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical Defensive Tactics exams.
Physical ability to complete hospital-adopted physical interventions and CPR, including the listed movement, restraint, defensive tactics, and strength requirements.
Ability to see and hear to observe, address, and respond to potential safety breaches.
Ability to read and comprehend English and communicate effectively and fluently in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, including possible outdoor work in inclement weather and concrete-floor or concrete-wall settings.
Willingness and ability to travel; a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver’s license is required, including for transporting patients in a state vehicle.
Complete the required two-step tuberculosis screening upon hire and receive annual influenza vaccination.
Colorado residency at the time of application and throughout employment.
Pass required background checks, which may include CBI name and fingerprint checks, Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, reference checks, professional license verification, drug screening, applicable child- or adult-contact screenings, and an MVR check.
Disclose any prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination from State employment and provide the requested explanation and employee number.
Do not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal, or financial relationships with patients during or after hospitalization; disclose relationships with current or former patients on the application.
Document qualifications and work experience in the official State of Colorado online application and provide required supporting documentation within the stated timelines.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with adolescents who have special needs.

Responsibilities

Provide formal individual and group academic and therapeutic instruction to adolescents and adults in prosocial education, affective education, computer education, competency restoration for special needs, special education, remedial education, GED, and general academic education.
Individualize education to meet students’ IEP needs and develop, research, monitor, and adapt learning activities using lesson plans, software, student progress and testing data, assessments, and assignments.
Assess students and use assessment data to guide instruction; develop lesson plans to facilitate student progress as required or requested by the supervisor.
Use evidence-based learning approaches and teaching methods supported by data and research.
Maintain attendance, grades, academic data, and classroom or patient records that support educational growth and sound teaching methods.
Participate in IEP meetings, assist with IEP development as appropriate, monitor progress toward IEP goals and objectives, and document services.
Provide treatment teams with formal and informal assessments of students’ academic, social, affective, and job-related needs.
Develop individualized education plans and plans of care with measurable goals, objectives, and interventions.
Monitor student progress and behavior and record weekly or monthly progress and observations in designated electronic health records.
Use educational programs, software, books, worksheets, and other resources to monitor progress, compile reports, and improve learning.
Read and review plans of care for patients under the employee’s charge and sign new or revised plans, ensuring educational objectives and interventions are included.
Coordinate educational and therapeutic interventions and treatment schedules with treatment teams and care providers.
Communicate student affective, academic, vocational, treatment-goal, and behavioral progress through progress notes, team meetings, treatment-plan reviews, and department meetings.
Participate in required unit, program, department, and team meetings and attend patient staffing or plan-of-care meetings as needed.
Develop instructional skills and strategies, stay informed about occupational trends, and maintain licensure through meetings, in-services, and professional growth activities.
Use technology, computers, keyboarding, email, and electronic health records to communicate, enter data, maintain records, and improve work efficiency.
Attend mandatory and assigned training, maintain competencies, and meet in-service, licensure, and certification requirements.
Assist with unit and department management needs, including providing expertise, schedules, coverage, and filling short-term vacancies.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the unit and department.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Work-life programs, including flexible schedules and training
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program