CDOC (SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR III) - Substance Use Disorder Assessor - (DENVER).

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career advancement

PERA retirement

Health plans

Disability coverage

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

Job summary

The State of Colorado seeks a qualified clinician to perform comprehensive Substance Use Disorder assessments for justice‑involved individuals and provide professional behavioral health services in compliance with guidelines.

You will determine ASAM levels of care, coordinate with medical teams on MAT, and guide treatment planning for a population with substance use and co‑occurring disorders. Denver location, competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Must possess one or more current Colorado licensure: LAC, CSW, LPC, Psychologist, or MFT.
• Minimum of 1 year licensed or license candidacy experience in substance use or mental health.
• Must maintain required licensure and meet competency standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide substance use treatment services to offenders, including assessments and interventions.
• Enter and update diagnostics based on assessments.
• Collaborate with medical staff on MAT-related services.
• Provide clinical guidance to non-clinical staff on treatment planning.
• Ensure continuity of care with referrals and documentation.

Skills

SUD treatment knowledge

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Documentation

English literacy

Education

LAC credential

CSW credential

LPC credential

Licensed Psychologist

Licensed MFT

Job description

Department Information

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and builds greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient.

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;


• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined;


• Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Member Contribution Rates . Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as \"Safety Officers\" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits;


• 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 and more;


• Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits. for more information.


• This position is compensated on a bi-weekly pay cycle.

WHO CAN APPLY

A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to include licensure through the State of Colorado.

Location

This position is located in Denver, CO at the Denver Complex. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location.

Description Of Job

This position provides comprehensive Substance Use Disorder (SUD) assessments for justice-involved individuals, utilitizing diagnostic tools to determine accurate ASAM levels of care, and provides professional behavioral health services to a population of offenders with substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment needs in compliance with behavioral health guidelines.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Provides substance use treatment services to the offender population, including substance use assessments, clinical interventions, and crisis management.


• Enter and update diagnostics based on assessment findings.


• Collaborates with medical staff regarding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) behavioral services.


• Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.


• Provides clinical direction to non‑clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of offenders.


• Assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies.


• Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level.


• Informs offenders regarding substance use treatment.


• Communicates regarding complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and offender behavioral management issues as it relates to substance use treatment.


• Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards, assures continuity of care, completes assigned tasks in compliance with overtime exempt status.


• You are encouraged to print a copy of this announcement for your records**

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

ONLY APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

Minimum Qualifications

• Applicant must possess one or more of the following current, and valid licenses from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies:


• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential issued by the Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners or


• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CSW) or


• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or


• Licensed Psychologist or


• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)


• AND


• Applicant must have one (1) year of licensed or license candidacy experience (e.g., Addiction Counselor Candidate) with the substance use and/or mental health.

Ensure that the 'Work Experience' section of the application is complete and contains all relevant part‑time and full‑time work experience related to the position that you are applying for. This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position. 'See resume' statements cannot be accepted in lieu of the 'work experience' section of the application. Additional work experience will not be accepted after the job announcement close date.

Required Competencies

• Self‑control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations;


• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift;


• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high‑stakes interaction.


• Knowledge and a thorough understanding of Substance Use Disorder treatment standards and guidelines;


• Knowledge and a thorough understanding of Mental Health standards and guidelines;


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;


• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;


• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;


• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.


• Ability to provide direct patient care to inmates;


• Must maintain required licensure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of a current, valid Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential issued by the Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners


• Possession of a current, valid Certified Addiction Specialst (CAS) credential issued by the State of Colorado.


• Experience providing mental health treatment and discharge planning with the severely mentally ill and developmentally disabled population;


• Experience providing Substance Use Disorder treatment;


• Experience providing Substance Use Disorder treatment to justice involved populations.


• Experience conducting suicide risk assessments;


• Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

For questions regarding this job announcement, contact Stacey Hibpshman at [e-mail] or 719‑723‑3973.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be 21 years of age


• Possess a valid driver’s license. Drivers must maintain a valid, non‑restricted Colorado driver’s license, obey traffic laws, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. State drivers are expected to maintain a safe driving record consistent with Colorado Division of Human Resources Universal Policy Driving Standards . Eligibility to drive a State‑owned vehicle, includes holding a valid Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of employment or residency change and meeting specific driving record criteria. Serious traffic violations, including DUIs or reckless driving, can disqualify drivers for up to seven years. A ll State Vehicles are monitored by telematics for safe operation and employees have no reasonable expectation of privacy while using an agency State Fleet vehicle.


• Possess a high school diploma or GED


• Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601‑15609. The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.


• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDOC uses e‑Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. CDOC does not sponsor non‑residents of the United States.


• Successfully pass all modules of the six‑week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension , relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics.


• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics
  
  
  
  • Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
  
  
  • Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down
  
  
  • Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows
  
  
  • Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows
  
  
  • Swing a baton in a striking technique
  
  
  • Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
  
  
  • Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions
  
  
  
  


• Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment


• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security


• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury


• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently


• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations


• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner


• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders


• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments


• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings


• Willing and able to travel


• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule


• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire

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 ([e-mail]), 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.

Supplemental Information

After submitting an application, you should receive an immediate email acknowledging your submission. If you do not get the email, please check to ensure you have actually submitted the application and typed the correct email address on the application. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked daily as time sensitive correspondence WILL take place via email. You may receive email notifications from a Colorado Dept. of Corrections employee or from this email address: [e-mail]. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email; if you do not receive correspondence soon after the closing date or if you have questions about this job announcement, please contact Stacey Hibpshman at stacey.hibpshman @state.co .us.

Scheduled DATES OF POSSIBLE APPLICANT ASSESSMENTS

SCHEDULED DATES OF POSSIBLE APPLICANT ASSESSMENTS (I.E., EXAMS, ORAL BOARDS, WRITTEN EXAMS) WILL NOT BE MADE UP. IF YOU FAIL TO SHOW AT THE APPOINTED DATE/TIME, MAKE‑UPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non‑discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

The Colorado Department of Corrections 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 Employee Relations Specialist, Kristen Lange, at [e-mail] or call 719‑728‑0270.

ALL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE TOBACCO FREE.

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PROTECTED CLASSES TO APPLY