Return To Work Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $6,307.00 - $8,831.00 Monthly
Location : Sterling, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: SCF 30539 SW II GAC 8.2026
Department: Department of Corrections
Division: Clinical and Correctional Services
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/16/2026 4:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: Sterling, Colorado
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: kaylie.purcell@state.co.us or 719-714-5230
Type of Announcement: The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
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
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and builds greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient.
In addition to a great agency and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• 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;
• Short and long term disability coverage;
• Paid life insurance;
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more;
• Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits. for more information.
• This position is compensated on a bi-weekly pay cycle.

Who May Apply:
Residents and non-residents of Colorado may apply and be hired into this position as the work will be performed primarily at a location that is within 30 miles of the state border.
Job Location:
Sterling Correctional Facility
The resulting eligibility list may be used to fill future vacancies at this location
Description of Job
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides professional mental health services to inmates to include formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, gender affirming care and clinical interventions;
• Assures accurate Information System mental health needs levels, including Psychiatric and Developmental Disability needs level codes;
• Provides group, brief, and individual therapy, and crisis intervention to include participation in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• Assures both emergency and non-emergency transfer for inmates experiencing acute mental health needs;
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in mental 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;
• Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate mental health records;
• Monitors inmate treatment and listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction;
• 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, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement:
Residents and non-residents of Colorado may apply and be hired into this position as the work will be performed primarily at a location that is within 30 miles of the state border.
Class Code & Classification Description:
C4L2XX Social Work/Counselor II
Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:
Current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate as a:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or
• Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) or
• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate (LMFTC) or
• Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC)

Current, valid full license from Colorado in any of the above fields also meets the requirements for this classification.
Ensure that the "Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for. This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position. "See resume" statements cannot be accepted in lieu of the "work experience" section of the application. Additional work experience will not be accepted after the job announcement close date for compensation purposes.
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 professional mental health or sex inmate treatment to inmates;
• Individual must be efficient;
• Able to participate in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• 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;
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• Must maintain required registration/permit/licensure as applicable to this assignment;
• Ability to work with a diverse population of inmates;
• Ability to provide professional mental health treatment 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.
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations;
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift;
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy or psychology from a program accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT or COAMFTE) or American Psychological Association (APA).
2. License eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist.
3. Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.

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, Online 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.
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. Those rehired or reinstated after six months' separation will be calculated using the same formula for new hires and promotions.
Please note that while this change in role may constitute a change in title and/or responsibility, salary adjustments are not guaranteed and may be influenced by factors such as internal pay equity, budget constraints, market benchmarks, or the individual's current compensation level. Any changes to compensation will be determined separately and communicated accordingly.
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.
**You are encouraged to print a copy of this announcement for your records**
Conditions of Employment: All job offers are contingent upon a successful medical screening by a healthcare professional, certifying the 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.

• Must be 21 years of age
• Possess a valid driver's license. Drivers must maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver's license, obey traffic laws, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. State drivers are expected to maintain a safe driving record consistent with Colorado Division of Human Resources Universal Policy Driving Standards. Eligibility to drive a State-owned vehicle, includes holding a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of employment or residency change and meeting specific driving record criteria. Serious traffic violations, including DUIs or reckless driving, can disqualify drivers for up to seven years. All State Vehicles are monitored by telematics for safe operation and employees have no reasonable expectation of privacy while using an agency State Fleet vehicle.

• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination are required to:
  
  • Disclose the details of the prior termination or resignation on the application.
  • Explain why the circumstances of the prior separation should not disqualify them from the current position.
  • 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 CDOC.