CDOC Psychologist Candidate (Statewide)

Colorado Department of Corrections Mission: We are a team of dynamic and diverse professionals building a safer Colorado by cultivating transformative opportunities for those under our supervision.

Our vision..."Building a safer Colorado for today and tomorrow".

CORE Values

Community Safety

Dignity, Diversity and Respect

Opportunity

Collaborative partnerships

• 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;
• Paid life insurance;
• Short and long-term disability coverage;
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick time;
• Employee wellness programs;
• Tuition Reimbursement;
• Training opportunities and more.

Mental Health:  Current Vacancies - Canon City/Denver/Pueblo
This position provides professional psychological services, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist until own license is obtained, to special population of inmates with mental illness or mental problems in compliance with DOC Mental Health Clinical Standards and Procedures, DOC AR's and all relevant statutes and guidelines, to include psychological assessment of mental health needs, individual and group therapy, clinical and behavioral management. Provide staff assistance and training regarding the mental health needs of inmates, direct care in psychiatric crises or emergencies. Position is responsible for regular communication with clinical and administrative supervisors. The Psychologist Candidate position prepares for Psychological licensure. This position participates in the 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation

Sex Offender Treatment and Monitoring Program (SOTMP):  Current Vacancies - None


This position conducts assessment and psychological evaluation of sex inmates under the supervision of a licensed psychologist until own license is obtained; provide intensive sex inmate treatment including development and implementation of individual treatment plans, conduct group and individual therapy, conduct and prepare evaluations for case management, community corrections, Parole Board and parole; conduct training workshops for the correctional system on the dynamics of sex inmates, treatment and management in a correctional setting, and high risk behaviors; complete release planning in coordination with community parole officers and other agencies; provide crisis intervention; monitor chronically mentally ill inmates. Prepare offense specific evaluations in accordance with Colorado Sex Offender Management Board standards for sex inmates participating in treatment. The Psychologist Candidate position prepares for Psychological licensure.

The eligible list created from this job posting will be used to fill current and future mental health and SOTMP vacancies in Canon City and Denver.  Within this job announcement, you have the ability to select the type(s) of position you are interested in; Mental Health and/or SOTMP.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicant must possess a current, valid permit as a Psychologist Candidate from the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing behavioral health treatment within a correctional environment;
• Current listing with the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) as a treatment provider or evaluator;
   

Required Competencies:

• Ability to effectively interact with and provide direct care to inmates;
• Advanced knowledge and a thorough understanding of Mental Health standards and guidelines;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external agencies; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Must maintain required permit/licensure;
• 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.

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

The Psychologist Candidate permit is a one-time registration good for 4 years to allow enough time to complete the EPPP Exam and Post-Degree Experience and Supervision.  If appointed to a Psychologist Candidate position with the CDOC, you must become licensed as a Psychologist within this 4 year time period.

If you do not possess a current, valid permit in the State of Colorado as a Psychologist Candidate, please refer to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) - Division of Professions and Occupations at http://www.dora.state.co.us/registrations/contact.htm.  You may also contact DORA at (303) 894-7855 or (800) 886-7675.

LOAN REPAYMENT/FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS:  The Colorado Department of Corrections participates in the National Health Services Corps (www.nhsc.hrsa.gov), the Colorado Health Services Corps (www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/colorado-health-service-corps), and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service).
 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Assessment Process: Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum Qualifications (MQ's). Applicants that meet MQ’s will be included in the Comparative Analysis process. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis which may include, but is not limited to, a suitability screening, eSkills Assessment, oral assessment, written performance assessment or it may include a review of your application material and your responses to any supplemental questions 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.

Be sure the “Work Experience” section of your application is complete and specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments as they relate to the Description of the Job, Minimum Qualifications, Required Competencies and Preferred Qualifications as listed above. Resumes and “see resume” statements will not be accepted in lieu of the “Work Experience” section of the application. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the closing date may result in your application not being accepted and/or may affect your score, rank or inclusion in the final pool of eligible applicants.

If you have transcripts, a license or other relevant documentation regarding your qualifications, upload and attach copies to your application. 

If an unofficial copy of transcripts is being submitted at the time of application, transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.

Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution. 

In order to process a background investigation, your application must include at least (10) ten years of the most current work experience unless experience related to the job for which you are applying is later than (10) years. Failure to provide this information could result in delays and/or elimination from the background investigation process

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

Conditions of Employment: All job offers are contingent upon a successful medical screening by a healthcare professional, certifying 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.

• Employees may be required to submit to regular serial testing and reporting for COVID-19.
• Must be 21 years of age;
• Possess a valid driver’s license;
• 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 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 inmates;
• 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.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Should applicant’s background reveal criminal charges, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide the Department of Corrections with written/official disposition of any charges.

The CDOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. Employees (see exception below) may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana. A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass.  Random drug screening will occur throughout employment. 

Exception: Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified employees are prohibited from the use of marijuana. Health care professionals must check their licensing requirements regarding marijuana use.

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.

fter 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 info@governmentjobs.com  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 Brenda Valdez at 719-226-4434 or brenda.valdez@state.co.us.

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.

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, Ana Andersen at doc_employeerelations@state.co.us or call 719-723-3998 

ALL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE TOBACCO FREE. 

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PROTECTED CLASSES TO APPLY.