CDOC-State Teacher I: Welding/CTE (Sterling)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The State Teacher I provides entry-level, marketable job skills to inmate students by delivering career and technical welding education and assessment in an adult correctional education setting. Instruction must follow Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and, when applicable, Colorado State Licensing Board requirements. The role includes classroom and hands-on instruction, student assessment, progress documentation, and maintaining the security and appropriate use of tools, equipment, keys, and hazardous materials. The position also contributes to facility safety through inmate management, observation, and adherence to agency regulations and the Code of Penal Discipline.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in welding or a related field and 4,000 hours of verified welding-related occupational experience within the last seven years; alternatively, a current relevant state, national, industry, military, or union license/certification and 4,000 hours of such experience; or a bachelor’s degree in welding or a related field and 2,000 hours of such experience.
• The required occupational experience must be in the field, may be paid or unpaid, does not include teaching experience, and cannot be substituted for; experience must be described in detail in the application.
• Must possess or obtain a CCCS post-secondary welding credential within six months of hire.
• Must obtain a Colorado Community College Professional Teacher Credential within three years of hire and maintain an Initial/Professional Teacher Credential throughout employment.
• Required competencies include interpersonal, self-motivation, organizational, attention-to-detail, customer-service, written and oral communication, and computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Experience teaching or training in welding and experience teaching or training adults.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content following plain-language guidelines.
• Ability to read and comprehend English and communicate fluently in English, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in stressful and potentially violent situations while remaining alert, emotionally stable, resilient, observant, and self-controlled; tolerance for stress, confinement, and high-stakes interactions.
• Must be at least 21 years old, possess a valid driver’s license, and have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have no disqualifying felony convictions and satisfy the stated offender-contact suitability requirements.
• Must have valid U.S. work authorization; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
• Must successfully complete all modules of the six-week CDOC Basic Training, including reading comprehension, competency assessments, and defensive-tactics exams.
• Must be able to perform the specified defensive-tactics activities and physical tasks, observe and respond to safety and security issues, and restrain or control violent or assaultive persons when necessary.
• Must be able to see and hear, demonstrate agility and strength in all four limbs, walk and climb stairs consistently, and communicate by speaking, listening, or signaling.
• Must be willing and able to work various shifts, including days, afternoons, and nights, on a rotating schedule, and to travel.
• Must complete tuberculosis screening, pass a background investigation and pre-employment drug test, and be subject to random drug screening.
• Employment offers are contingent on medical screening confirming ability to perform essential functions.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in welding.
• Experience training and mentoring in a welding industry environment.
• Commitment to ongoing program evaluation and improvement.
• Strong connections to the welding industry workforce.

Responsibilities

• Teach and mentor inmate students individually and in group classrooms to support occupational, academic, and transitional performance skills.
• Determine students’ educational needs and develop short- and long-term goals.
• Plan course content and develop instructional methods and competency-based teaching aids, including software, multimedia visuals, and study materials.
• Provide hands-on training and demonstrate welding skills, techniques, methods, and procedures; lecture on welding theories, concepts, principles, and terminology.
• Select and administer oral, written, and/or performance assessments to measure progress, course completion, and training effectiveness.
• Maintain security, supervision, and monitoring of inmate students; manage the storage and inventory of tools, equipment, keys, and hazardous materials in accordance with CDOC regulations.
• Ensure tools and equipment are in proper working condition.
• Prepare reports and maintain student grades, attendance rosters, and training activity records.
• Observe and evaluate student work, provide feedback, and suggest improvements.
• Document vocational achievements, competencies, and contact hours toward certification requirements.
• Justify the accuracy and use of budget requests.
• Participate in conferences, seminars, and training sessions and incorporate relevant developments into training programs.
• Collaborate with fellow teachers to provide ongoing guidance and improve programs.
• Promote facility safety and security through effective inmate management, observation, and conflict resolution.
• Encourage critical thinking, self-discipline, and self-motivation to help students develop skills for reintegration into society.
• Perform inmate counts, shakedowns, searches, escorts, movement control, and classroom access control occasionally or in emergencies.
• 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.
• 11 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
• Education Level: Associate degree