CDOC Social Worker/Counselor III Mental Health Clinician /Gender Affirming Care - (STERLING)

Colorado; Sterling (CO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking state agency dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals with mental health needs. This role involves providing essential mental health care to offenders, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. You will be responsible for developing treatment plans, facilitating interventions, and ensuring continuity of care. With a focus on crisis assessment and counseling, you'll play a critical role in supporting a vulnerable population. Enjoy a rewarding career with competitive benefits, including a hiring incentive and opportunities for professional growth. If you are passionate about mental health and making a positive impact, this position is for you.

Benefits

Flexible retirement benefits

Medical and dental health plans

Paid life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

11 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid license as a Clinical Social Worker or Counselor.
• Experience with crisis assessment and counseling is essential.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate individual and group interventions for offenders.
• Develop mental health treatment plans and conduct assessments.

Skills

Crisis assessment and counseling

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Ability to interact with offenders

Knowledge of LGBTQIA+ community and gender affirming care

Education

Valid license from the State of Colorado

Experience with mental health and/or sex offender population

Job description

Colorado Department of Corrections Mission:

$25,000 HIRING INCENTIVE FOR FULL-TIME CLINICAL PROFESSIONALS!
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build 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.

In addition to a great agency and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

1. Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
2. 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;
3. Medical and dental health plans;
4. Short and long term disability coverage;
5. Paid life insurance;
6. 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
7. Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more.

WHO MAY APPLY: The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. However, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed in this job announcement to include licensure with Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
LOCATION:This position is located in Sterling, CO. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location.
This classification (if working within a 24/7 facility) may be eligible for non-base building temporary pay differential of 2.8% through June 2025.
$25,000 Hiring Incentives for SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELORS:
Payout will be as follows:
$5,000 after successful completion of the CDOC Training Academy
$5,000 after successful completion of 4 months of service
$5,000 after successful completion of 8 months of service
$10,000 after successful completion of 12 months of service.
Mental Health Clinician / Gender Affirming Care: This position provides mental health care to a special population of offenders housed in the Colorado Department of Corrections with mental illness, developmental disabilities and high risk for suicide and self injury.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitate individual and group interventions utilizing approved gender affirming treatment curriculum.
• Assigned case load will consist primarily of offenders with moderate to high mental health treatment needs, and housed in the gender affirming care unit.
• Develop Mental Health treatment plans to serve as the basis for treatment.
• Perform routine mental health assessments and interviews to determine progress.
• Update diagnosis and psychiatric needs levels.
• Refer clients to psychology for more complex psychological assessment.
• Provide information to psychiatry to include client history, previous diagnoses, and alternative treatment available.
• Participation in 24 hour after hours system.
• Assures both emergency and non-emergency transfer for inmates experiencing acute mental health crisis.
• Renders clinical direction to non-clinical staff in mental health care and treatment of inmates.
• Assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for transition to receiving units, facilities, or agencies.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this announcement for your records**
ONLY APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS** WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS PROCESS.
Minimum Qualifications

• Applicant must possess a valid, active license from the State of Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
• AND
• Applicant must have one (1) year of licensed or license candidacy experience, with current valid licensure from the State of Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact, to include Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker Candidate (SWC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate, and experience must be with the mental health and/or sex offender population.

**Special Qualifications
**Applicant must have a minimum of six (6) months experience with clients in the LGBTQIA+ community, and gender affirming care and practices. This experience must be thoroughly detailed in the Work Experience section of your application.
Required Competencies:

• Must possess and maintain a valid license from the State of Colorado as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist;
• Knowledge of and ability to conduct crisis assessment and counseling utilizing therapist manuals and protocols and agency/facility security policies;
• Ability to effectively interact with offenders;
• 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;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mental health counseling with the inmate population and crisis intervention experience;
• Experience conducting suicide risk assessments;
• Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
If you have any questions regarding this job announcement, contact Stacey Hibpshman at [e-mail] or 719-723-3973.
The Assessment Process:Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis. The comparative analysis for this position will include a review of your application material and your responses to any supplemental questions. Applications and responses will be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.
Conditions of Employment:All job offers are contingent upon a successful medical screening by a healthcare professional, certifying the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Applicant must consent to hold harmless CDOC and its agents and staff from any liability arising in whole or in part from the testing and the use of this information in connection with CDOC’s consideration of application for employment.