Job: Addiction Specialist I

• Provides substance use disorder treatments services to inmates under the supervision of licensed addiction professionals and in compliance with guidelines;
• Participate in  treatment services to include providing input into substance use disorder treatment assessments, participating in recreation groups, in-reach and tele-health sessions;
• Provide psychoeducational groups, co-facilitate therapeutic activities under clinical supervision, and facilitate other therapeutic activities;
• Assist with crisis management with supportive activities and referral to Mental Health;
• Schedule and facilitate tele-health services, provide consultation and guidance to correctional staff and administrators about substance use disorder treatment needs;
• Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary clinical team which provides substance use disorder treatment;
• Provide input needed for treatment and management planning;
• Inform inmates regarding substance use disorder treatment care supervision and treatment;
• Listen to inmate concerns and provide counseling and direction;
• Communicate regarding complaints, problems, incidents and inmate behavioral management issues;
• Respond to complaints, problems, actions, or behaviors within scope of practice;
• Document both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to maintain inmate mental health records under the supervision of a work leader.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

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

  • a Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) 

Required Competencies:

• Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to inmates;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external agencies;
• Ability to work independently under supervision;
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• Ability to work with a diverse population of clients; 
• Ability to provide mental health support services as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

•  Experience providing addiction treatment to an incarcerated population;
•  Experience providing addiction treatment to a diverse population;
•  Experience working with highly resistive clients;
•  Experience administering Standardized Offender Assessment-Revised (SOA-R) Assessments.

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. 

• 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.

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.