Correctional Security Officer I - Public Safety

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies both full and part-time

Opt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events!

CDHSCareers

This position is to provide a safe, secure environment for all persons on the grounds of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo and within the surrounding community, by enforcing laws and regulations involving the custody of criminally insane patients of the Institute and of convicted felons from the Department of Corrections and the Division of Youth Corrections. This position is aware of and adheres to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DPS Policy, and CMHIP specific procedure.  Specific duties and expectations of the job are detailed in the 5 sections below:  Safety/Security; Programming; Documentation/Recording; Training and Organizational Accountability.

• providing the direct care, safety, security and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated patients in a locked setting
• provide immediate intervention in crisis situations
• employ sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible crises promptly taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff
• participate in defusing and debriefing all incidents
• monitor the movement of patients in the units or throughout the building
• escort and transport to activities or appointments internal and/or external
• conduct searches of persons' property or areas according to schedule or as needed
• check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms, and building grounds to minimize escape risk
• actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills, and CTI skills when interacting with patients and staff positively and respectfully
• provide interior security within the facility by patrolling the patient areas on irregular patrols establishing preventative enforcement through Officer presence

• provide for and promote a safer, more therapeutic environment by meeting expectations to provide both a deterrent to assaults as well as an additional resource to manage actual assaults and crises
• actively and with positive engagement, implement and follow policies and program procedures
• observe, monitor, detect, record, and report problem behaviors
• communicate expectations for behavior, events, rules, or other milieu requirements
• use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with patients, overcome resistance to change, and communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances
• support CMHIP/DPS initiatives and strategies as they relate to patient programming and crisis intervention
• provide officer presence in common areas providing a safer and more therapeutic environment
• respond to crises and assist staff in gaining control of hostile situations

•  document observations of patient behavior and response to treatment
• document all unit activities and relevant information on the daily shift log
• ensures validity and continuity in the security accounting and reporting system by accurately reporting all pertinent security information in log books and by attaining and preserving all essential patient documents
• report known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to prevailing statute

•  demonstrate, support, and contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful cultural climate throughout the facility and in all communications  
• communicates with internal/external customers, residents, subordinate staff, and co-workers in a professional manner; ensuring to communicate with respect and dignity
• adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct and DPS Policy and Procedures
• be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, and implementing Procedures
• adhere to CDHS, DPS Policy, and CMHIP Procedures regarding work schedule, timekeeping, and leave practices.  Perform continuous, irregular patrols within the facility

•  attend and actively participate in all assigned training and successfully complete any/all testing or other requirements for such training
• maintain required certifications as appropriate.  Successful completion may be
  known or recorded by score or demonstration of skill
• meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing CMHIP/DPS Policy

•   required to assist per recommendations from the Appointing Authority and/or Supervisor, should other duties within reason arise in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes, CDHS, CMHIP and DPS Policies and Procedures.

• college education (preferably 2 years or more) in behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field
• experience facilitating psychoeducational groups; education/experience working with patients who have trauma
• experience working with patients in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching
• experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques.
• experience working in a high security locked environment
• experience working with patients who suffer from mental illness

•  full background check CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):
  CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)
• possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license
• shift work – may get pulled to other shifts to cover minimum Officer management
• travel – transportation of patients in State vehicles; Travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites
• former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination, or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS
  

Appeal Rights: 

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact jazzma.gamboa@state.co.us 

About Us: 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high-quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org 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

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.  

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at  cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support