CDOC Addiction Specialist II (Statewide)

CDOC Addiction Specialist II

Closing Date: 6/30/2025 4:00 PM Mountain

Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado for Sterling and Trinidad

CURRENT VACANCIES:   Buena Vista, Canon City, Denver, Pueblo, and Sterling
 

Description of Job:
This position provides substance use disorder services to the inmate population, to include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning;
• Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care;
• Assures accurate Information System behavioral health needs levels, and provides group, brief, and individual treatment;
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of inmates.
• Assures continuity of care for inmates 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;
• Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate behavioral health records;
• Communicates directly with inmates regarding their behavioral health care such as consequences of maladaptive behavior and desired and undesirable effects of prescribed behavioral health medication;
• Listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction;
• Communicates to advise, counsel, inform and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors and outside agencies to ensure continuity and direction of behavioral health care;
• Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and inmate behavioral management issues;
• Responsible for maintaining standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational and unit standards;
• Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

Applicant must possess a current, valid certification from the State of Colorado as:

a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) OR an Addiction Counselor Candidate (AC-C) OR

a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).

Note: Employees who are rehired or reinstated within six months of their separation will return at either their previous pay rate if hired into the same class level or based on their time in the class series, whichever is higher. 

Required Competencies:

• Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to inmates;
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• Ability to work independently;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external stakeholders;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must maintain certification/licensure as an addiction counselor;
• Ability to work with a diverse population of inmates;
• Strong organizing, planning and prioritizing skills;
• Keen ability to multi-task and demonstrate flexibility;
• Ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Ability to be creative when implementing therapeutic interventions;
• 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.

In addition to a rewarding, meaningful career, state employment offers:

• 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;
• Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs;
• Training opportunities and more.

More info and to apply: 

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/4765768/cdoc-addiction-specialist-ii