Correctional Security Officer I - Public Safety
Job Description
Salary
$27.65 - $38.70 Hourly
Location
Pueblo, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IIB 02045 11/18/2025
Department
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division
OBH - CMHIP
Opening Date
11/18/2025
Closing Date
12/2/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
tricia.jepsen@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.
As a cornerstone of the Pueblo community for over a century, Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHHIP) is a leading employer, provider of quality mental health services, and community partner. This work unit provides security, law enforcement, and transportation services at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo.
Description of Job
About the Position:
This position is to provide a safe, secure environment for all persons on the grounds of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo and within the surrounding community, by enforcing laws and regulations involving the custody of criminally insane patients of the Institute and of convicted felons from the Department of Corrections and the Division of Youth Corrections. This position is aware of and adheres to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DPS Policy, and CMHIP specific procedure. Specific duties and expectations of the job are detailed in the 5 sections below: Safety/Security; Programming; Documentation/Recording; Training and Organizational Accountability.
Responsibilities
Safety/Security:
- Providing the direct care, safety, security and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated patients in a locked setting
- Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations
- Employ sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible crises promptly taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff
- Participate in defusing and debriefing all incidents
- Monitor the movement of patients in the units or throughout the building
- Escort and transport to activities or appointments internal and/or external
- Conduct searches of persons' property or areas according to schedule or as needed
- Check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms, and building grounds to minimize escape risk
- Actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills, and CTI skills when interacting with patients and staff positively and respectfully
- Provide interior security within the facility by patrolling the patient areas on irregular patrols establishing preventative enforcement through Officer presence
Programming:
- Provide for and promote a safer, more therapeutic environment by meeting expectations to provide both a deterrent to assaults as well as an additional resource to manage actual assaults and crises
- Actively and with positive engagement, implement and follow policies and program procedures
- Observe, monitor, detect, record, and report problem behaviors
- Communicate expectations for behavior, events, rules, or other milieu requirements
- Use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with patients, overcome resistance to change, and communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances
- Support CMHIP/DPS initiatives and strategies as they relate to patient programming and crisis intervention
- Provide officer presence in common areas providing a safer and more therapeutic environment
- Respond to crises and assist staff in gaining control of hostile situations
Documentation:
- Document observations of patient behavior and response to treatment
- Document all unit activities and relevant information on the daily shift log
- Ensures validity and continuity in the security accounting and reporting system by accurately reporting all pertinent security information in log books and by attaining and preserving all essential patient documents
- Report known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to prevailing statute
Organizational Accountability:
- Demonstrate, support, and contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful cultural climate throughout the facility and in all communications
- Communicates with internal/external customers, residents, subordinate staff, and co-workers in a professional manner; ensuring to communicate with respect and dignity
- Adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct and DPS Policy and Procedures
- Be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, and implementing Procedures
- Adhere to CDHS, DPS Policy, and CMHIP Procedures regarding work schedule, timekeeping, and leave practices. Perform continuous, irregular patrols within the facility
Training:
- Attend and actively participate in all assigned training and successfully complete any/all testing or other requirements for such training
- Maintain required certifications as appropriate. Successful completion may be
known or recorded by score or demonstration of skill - Other Duties as Assigned:
- Required to assist per recommendations from the Appointing Authority and/or Supervisor, should other duties within reason arise in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes, CDHS, CMHIP and DPS Policies and Procedures.
Job Requirements
- Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).Substitution: None
- Preferred Qualifications:
- College education (preferably 2 years or more) in behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field
- Experience working with patients in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching
- Experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques.
- Experience working in a high security locked environment
- Experience working with patients who suffer from mental illness
- FULL BACKGROUND CHECK: This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: "Direct contact" means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee. "Direct contact" may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.)
- CBI & FBI fingerprint check, Colorado Court Database check, Medicare Fraud Database, TRAILS Database check.
- Possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license
- Shift work – may get pulled to other shifts to cover minimum Officer management
- Travel – transportation of patients in State vehicles; Travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites
- Former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination, or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS
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.
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. 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 a review and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from an eSkills Test.
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.
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). - Meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing CMHIP/DPS Policy
