CDOC - Addiction Counselor Trainee III

Current vacancies:  Canon City and Sterling; however we are accepting applications for all locations.  The eligibility list created from this posting will be used to fill current and future vacancies throughout the state.  State correctional facilities are located in Crowley, Buena Vista, Canon City, Delta, Denver, Limon, Pueblo, Rifle, Sterling and Trinidad.

The Health Care Services Trainee III position performs tasks that are structured and designed to provide training and experience in the field of addiction counseling.  Tasks are performed under direct supervision and detailed instruction and guidance is received in order for employees in this position to become eligible to apply for certification or licensure as an addiction counselor (CAC II, III or LAC) through the Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners.  Position learns to apply established practices and methods in the field of addiction counseling.  This position does not remain in this classification indefinitely, the intent is to become fully operational and perform independently to be able to seek promotional opportunities as an Addiction Counselor with the CDOC as a Health Professional II.  Required addiction specific training and education from the Office of Behavioral Health and certification/licensure exams are at the employees cost.  Position is responsible for, but not limited to, the following:
 

• Provides support for drug and alcohol treatment programs and substance abuse education services to offenders in CDOC facilities;
• Under direct supervision and in accordance with rules, regulations, guidelines and clinical standards, position will implement treatment plans, deliver treatment through educational/vocational or recreational activities in individual and group settings, conduct approved programs for offenders and provide assessment of treatment needs for individual offenders; 
• Provide observations and information to support treatment activities; 
• Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive offender treatment records;
• Responsible to seek review and supervision of all documentation assigned;
• Listens to offender concerns and provides counseling and direction when appropriate;
• Communicates to advise, counsel, and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, and outside agencies to ensure continuity of care;
• Responsible for maintaining standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational and unit standards;
• Assist counselors and learn to monitor offender treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and continuity of care. 
• Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control;
• Informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process, attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self-protection skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicant must have two years of full-time experience participating in the delivery of behavioral health treatment in a drug and alcohol program, mental health program, or sex offender program.
• Applicant must possess a current, valid registration from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as a Registered Psychotherapist.   

• Education from an accredited institution in the behavioral health sciences such as Psychology, Social Work or Counseling will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. You must attach a copy of your transcripts that contain your name, name of the college, type of degree received and date degree was awarded. 
• Current, valid certification as a Certified Addiction Counselor I will substitute for the Registration as a Psychotherapist and one year of the required experience.
• Current, valid certification, registration and/or licensure as one of the following will substitute for the registration as a Psychotherapist and the required experience: Certified Addiction Counselor II or III, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychologist Candidate, Marriage and Family Therapist or Candidate (MFTC or LMFT) or Licensed Professional Counselor or Candidate (LPCC or LPC).

• Ability to work directly with offenders;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with a multi-disciplinary treatment team;
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• Knowledge of substance use disorders;
• Must maintain required credentials as applicable to this assignment;
• Keen ability to multi-task and demonstrate flexibility;
• Ability to receive and apply constructive feedback regarding clinical supervision;
• Ability to successfully manage your workload;
• Ability to work with a diverse population;

• Experience providing or participating in addiction treatment to an incarcerated population;
• Certified Addiction Counselor I, II or III, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychologist Candidate, Marriage and Family Therapist or Candidate (MFTC or LMFT) or Licensed Professional Counselor or Candidate (LPCC or LPC);
• Experience providing comprehensive clinical documentation in the field of addiction counseling;
• Experience administering Standardized Offender Assessment-Revised (SOA-R) Assessments;
• Experience working with diverse populations;
• Experience working with dually diagnosed populations;

• All job offers are contingent on a satisfactory urinalysis (UA) within 24 hours of contingent offer and a successful medical screening by a health care professional, certifying candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position.  Both the UA and the medical screening will be completed at the applicant's expense (cost is approximately $100).  Out of state applicants must perform their UA either pre or post offer at the direction of the department.  Applicant must consent to hold harmless CDOC and its agents and staff from any liability arising in whole or in part from the collection of specimens, testing and the use of this information in connection with CDOC's consideration of application for employment;
• 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;
• Successfully complete the Department of Corrections Basic Training upon hire, initial drug screening, and random drug screening throughout employment;
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete PPCT (Pressure Point Control 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;
• Positions that have direct contact with offenders may be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum;
• 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;
• 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;
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws.  A pre-employment drug test will be administered at any part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, including marijuana, will be disqualified from consideration.  Random drug screening will occur throughout employment. 

Time sensitive correspondence will be sent via email from the Office of Human Resources, the Background Investigation Unit and info@governmentjobs.com so ensure that a working email address is included in your application.  YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CHECK YOUR E-MAIL DAILY to include your spam and junk folders.  
 
After submitting your application, you should receive an immediate email acknowledging your application submission. If you do not receive this email, ensure that you have submitted the application, ensure the correct email address is listed in the application, and check your spam/junk folders.  If you still do not receive an email, please contact Lorie Sanchez at 719-226-4401 or lorie.sanchez@state.co.us  
 
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).