Forensic Assistant Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $21.28 - $29.79 Hourly
Location : Pueblo, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: IIB 03145 08/17/26
Department: Colorado Department of Human Services
Division: OBH - CMHIP
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: Colorado Department of Human Services 1600 W. 24th Street Pueblo, CO 81003
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: Jazzma Gamboa- Jazzma.Gamboa@state.co.us
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Department Information
This position is open to current Colorado residents only.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP)
As a cornerstone of the Pueblo community for over a century, Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) is a leading employer, provider of quality mental health services, and a community partner. CMHHIP is a 24 hour behavioral health acute care facility that is intended to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic setting for patients with both psychiatric and medical issues. The services provided include evaluation and treatment for patients who are severely mentally ill, and the goal of this facility is to return patients to their optimal level of functioning and assist them in returning to the community as appropriate. This work unit exists to provide dental care services to the patients of CMHHIP.
Description of Job
100% In-Person Working Arrangements
Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo is a 24-hour facility
Monday - Thursday (0730 am - 330 pm)
This position will comply with the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health/Division of Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo /Unit: Dental Clinic current working arrangements.
Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.
About the Position:
The position exists to enhance efficiency in the dental office and to optimize patient comfort and safety during assessment and treatment by providing general support to the dentist including; scheduling patients, collecting treatment data, preparing the operatory, assisting during dental procedures, sterilizing instruments, disinfecting operatories, ordering and inventorying supplies, maintaining dental equipment, maintaining the records associated with these activities, and completing related duties as assigned. Duties in this position include:
Patient Scheduling

• Organize and track requests for dental treatment at the CMHHIP clinic
• Collaborate with unit and transportation staff to arrange dental appointments at CMHHIP

Assisting Dentist with Treatment

• Expedite dental treatment in the operatory by organizing patient health information, providing operative setup, exposing and processing radiographs, passing instruments during dental treatment, fabricating models and denture trays
• After treatment the position cleans and disinfects the dental unit and treatment surfaces

• Maintains interactions with patients that promote patients' comfort and treatment acceptance

Infection Control:

• Maintains a safe clinical environment by consistently following hospital, OSHA, and CDC infection control standards, including instrument sterilization, operatory disinfection, proper PPE use, and compliance with all infection prevention protocols to protect patients and staff

Equipment Maintenance / Supply Management:

• Manages essential dental clinic operations by overseeing comprehensive equipment maintenance, compliance tracking, and inventory control. The technician
• Evaluates chairside mechanical issues, deciding whether to perform routine fixes internally or escalate complex hydraulic or upholstery repairs to professional technicians
• Maintain Operational compliance by determining the optimal schedule for logging critical inspections, calibrations, and waterline biofilm treatments around patient care hours
• Optimize supply chain efficiency by analyzing inventory levels, expiration dates, and patient volume to decide when to reorder critical clinical and administrative supplies

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Other duties assigned by the supervisor for the needs of the department

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience Only:

• Two (2) years of relevant experience in Dental Assisting

OR
Education and Experience:

• Successful completion of an accredited dental assisting program may substitute for one year of experience

Special Qualifications:

• Active Xray certification must be obtained withing 3 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a dental facility
• Exp w/ dental software
• Google Suite knowledge
• Prior experience in secure or specialized healthcare environments
• Background in correctional facilities, mental health or community health centers
• Relevant previous experience within the state of Colorado

Conditions of Employment:

• Full background and reference checks required.
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

1. Disclose that information on the application.
2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
3. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

• 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening
• Influenza vaccination
• Other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado

CDHS Selection Process Explanation
Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:
  
  • Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process
A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
Comparative Analysis Process - Structured Application Review
After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.
Your Work Experience/Job Duties
Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.
Supplemental Questions
Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).
Appeal Rights
You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
• You can find the official appeal form here.
• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
  
  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or
  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, 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.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or
• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information

• How to apply to the State of Colorado (Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

• The Assessment Process

About Us & Benefits
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
• Collaboration helps us rise together:We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations
CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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.
This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us.
EEO Statement
The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer
We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a "Colorado for ALL" drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State