State Teacher IV - Fort Logan

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The State Teacher IV serves as Director of the Education Department and Special Education Director at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital at Fort Logan (CMHHIFL). The position provides educational programming for adolescent and adult patients, with a primary focus on special education services and case management for youth ages 12–21 with disabilities. Educational experiences support patients’ treatment, learning, coping skills, and GED preparation, while helping the hospital meet federal and state education requirements, including IDEA and Colorado’s Exceptional Children’s Educational Act. The position plans and oversees the education program and school, including curriculum, policies and procedures, compliance with Colorado Common Core Academic Standards and certification requirements, student assessment and progress reporting, professional development, and quality assurance. It directs the education department’s budget and grants, approves expenditures and technology requests, develops business cases for additional resources, and participates in salary-setting and hiring decisions. The role supervises education and school library staff, including performance management, training, hiring, and involvement in corrective or disciplinary actions. It represents patient education to public schools, state agencies, task forces, and other stakeholders; responds to concerns and education-related appeals; and monitors the effects of new legislation and policy. The position is required to work at its assigned location during scheduled work times; work arrangements may change. Travel to meetings and training is required, and a driver’s license is needed to transport patients in a state vehicle between their unit and education services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to the work assignment.
Current, valid Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education; for academic teaching assignments, a current, valid Colorado Adult Basic Education Authorization may substitute.
Six years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the assigned work; additional appropriate education may substitute year for year.
Administrator License issued by the Colorado Department of Education with a Director of Special Education endorsement, or a Temporary Educator Endorsement (TEE).
Experience with the Colorado Department of Education data system, including End of Year, October Count, and December Count.
Experience with the Colorado Department of Education budget process.
Experience formally supervising and evaluating special education staff.
For vocational teaching assignments, a specific vocational credential related to the assigned work; additional appropriate education may substitute for the credential or required experience year for year.
Meet the hospital’s requirements for verbal and physical intervention training and CPR, including specified mobility, strength, balance, and defensive-tactics abilities.
Ability to observe, hear, and respond to potential safety breaches; control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury.
Ability to read and comprehend English and communicate effectively and fluently in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to work in settings with fluctuating noise and temperatures, potentially outdoors in inclement weather or in concrete-floor and wall work settings.
Willingness and ability to travel; valid, non-restricted Colorado driver’s license required.
Colorado residency at application and throughout employment.
Complete required two-step tuberculosis screening upon hire and receive annual influenza vaccination.
Pass required background checks, professional license verification if applicable, drug screening, reference checks, and applicable child or adult contact screenings.
Disclose relationships with current or former patients on the application and refrain from sexual, social, personal, or financial relationships with patients during or at any time of hospitalization.
Successfully pass all modules of the CMHHIFL New Employee Orientation core curriculum, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical defensive-tactics exams.

Nice To Haves

Current, valid Colorado Professional Principal License.
Current, valid Colorado Professional Teacher License with a core content endorsement in Math, Science, Social Studies, or English/Language Arts.
Current, valid Colorado Professional Teacher License with a Special Education endorsement.

Responsibilities

Provide educational programming for adolescent and adult patients, with a primary focus on special education services and case management for youth ages 12–21 with disabilities.
Function as Director of the Education Department and Special Education Director at CMHHIFL.
Plan and oversee the education program and school, including strategic planning, policies and procedures, educational guidelines, curricula, and compliance with state education mandates and certification requirements.
Ensure facility curricula meet Colorado Common Core Academic Standards and determine common curriculum for the state-operated facility.
Determine professional development and training, diagnostic educational assessments, career tests, and assessment protocols.
Maintain reporting systems for student growth, achievement, and career readiness; oversee education and special education quality assurance, monitoring, and annual audits.
Respond to appeals and legal matters involving education and special education, including due process complaints, state complaints, and failure to provide required services.
Prepare, monitor, and oversee the education department budget and grants, including monthly budget monitoring and approval of expenditures, purchases, technology requests, and appropriations.
Develop business cases and funding requests for additional educational resources; set and justify salaries for new hires.
Supervise education department and school library staff, including performance management, informal grievance resolution, staff training, hiring, and participation in corrective and disciplinary actions.
Determine the department’s organizational structure and staffing needs as educational needs and business requirements change.
Represent patient education and the hospital in meetings, task forces, and relationships with public schools, the Colorado Department of Education, and other agencies.
Respond to stakeholder concerns and provide feedback regarding the impact of new legislation; update education policies and procedures as needed.
Travel to meetings and training and transport patients in a state vehicle when needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

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.