Corrections Counselor - Weld County Sheriff's Office

Weld County Government; Greeley (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Weld County Government seeks a Counselor to deliver direct, face-to-face counseling within inmate housing units, building rapport and assessing needs in real time. The role emphasizes crisis intervention and short-term mental health support inside the correctional environment.

The Corrections Counselor III provides psycho-educational groups, collaborates with security and medical staff, and conducts suicide risk assessments with supervisor follow-up. A Master’s degree and licensure are required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling, social work, clinical psychology, or related field.
• At least 1 year of counseling experience in mental health.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English; strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct in-person counseling to inmates within housing units and secure areas.
• Lead psycho-educational groups and cognitive-behavioral programs.
• Collaborate with security and medical staff on inmate issues and safety.
• Conduct suicide assessments and mental health screenings with follow-up supervision.
• Perform diagnostic mental health evaluations and prepare emergency commitment documentation.
• Document releases and track licensure and practice requirements.

Skills

Reading & Writing English

Crisis Intervention

Counseling Experience

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Background Check Clearance

Education

Master's degree in counseling, social work, clinical psychology, or related field

Tools

Computer terminal

Printer/Scanner

Phone

Job description

The Counselor serves as a vital member of the Sheriff's Office team, providing direct, face-to-face counseling and support services to individuals in custody. This role is primarily conducted within inmate housing units and other secure areas, not behind a desk or computer screen. The Counselor spends the majority of their time engaging in-person with inmates, building rapport, assessing needs, and delivering interventions in real time within the correctional environment.

A Correctional Counselor III provides crisis intervention and short-term counseling to inmates. Counselors provide psycho-educational groups, including cognitive behavioral based programs, to inmates. They work in collaboration with security and medical staff concerning inmate related problems. Counselors conduct suicide assessment and mental health screening for inmates with follow up supervision. Counselors provide diagnostic mental health evaluations of inmates to determine mental health needs. Counselors complete assessment for emergency commitment (M-1) and prepares appropriate documentation upon the release of an inmate.

The position's schedule spans Monday through Saturday, with assigned work hours set according to the operational needs of the department.

Required Education

Master's Degree in counseling, social work, clinical psychology, or related field.

Experience Qualifications

1 year experience in counseling, specifically in the mental health field working with a variety of diagnoses, and facilitation of psychoeducational groups

Skills and Abilities

Must have the ability to read, write, and speak English.
Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; and the ability to count, sort, and categorize inventory items.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables, in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to operate telephones, computer terminal, keyboard, photocopier, and printer/scanning instrumentation.
Candidate must pass criminal background check prior to employment start date.

Licenses and Certifications

LPC-Licensed Professional Counselor Must hold current license in Colorado as a Licensed Professional Counselor Required
LCSW- License Clinical Social Worker Licensed Clinical Social Worker Required
NCAC - National Certified Addictions Counselor Licensed Addictions Counselor or equivalent Required
Or hold a permit in Colorado as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate or Clinical Social Worker Candidate or equivalent with eh ability to obtain a license within the first 2.5 years of employment. Required
Supervision hours are offered to assist in reaching licensure requirements. Required
The ability to speak and write a language other than English is a skill that enhances an employee’s ability to complete this job. The incidents that require the use of secondary language skill vary by day but are routinely frequent; it is expected that this skill will be used more than 11 times per month. The employee must be proficient in speaking and writing the second language to be eligible for the bilingual pay differential.
Pre-employment substance screening is required for this position.
This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening in accordance with Weld County policy.