Counselor - Social Work II in Clinical Services Department at Fort Logan

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

The Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMHHIFL is to provide the highest quality mental health services to persons with complex, serious, and persistent mental illness within the resources available. Our mission is to support those individuals in achieving their recovery goals and reaching their full potential. CMHHIFL provides inpatient treatment to adolescent and adult patients, generally between the ages of 11-59. The hospital currently has 154 inpatient hospital beds over seven treatment milieus serving civil and forensic individuals. Medical services, occupational therapy, neuropsychological-rehabilitation services, and trauma-informed care services are available for all patients throughout the hospital.

Through our core values listed below, CMHHIFL staff is committed to:

• Individual dignity and respect.

• Person-centered, evidence-based care.

• Trauma-informed recovery.

• Multidisciplinary collaboration.

• Diversity and inclusion.

• Strong family and community partnerships.

The Counselor II position works in the 24-hour State psychiatric hospital with individuals voluntarily and involuntarily committed for treatment. Patients receiving treatment at CMHH-FL have severe and persistent mental illness and may have traumatic brain injury, trauma disorders, and other complex dynamics.  Each treatment team is multidisciplinary and includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, addiction specialists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, creative arts therapists, nurses, physicians, and mental health clinicians. In addition, the hospital offers dietary, peer, and chaplain services.

In-Person. 

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. 

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

The Psychology Department provides comprehensive psychiatric treatment interventions, from clinical assessment and multidisciplinary treatment planning to individual/group/family therapy.

The purpose of this position is to manage the full cycle of patient care on the forensic units, beginning with comprehensive clinical assessments within an acute inpatient psychiatric setting. The Counselor II delivers targeted clinical interventions, including individual and group treatment, and specialized competency restoration education. This role works collaboratively with the forensic multidisciplinary team, provides competency restoration groups, conducts risk assessments and other assessments under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, and assists with individual behavior plans. Other duties include:

Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning & Consultation:
Under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist:

• Participates in treatment planning and actively contributes to the formulation of patient-specific goals. 
• Provides clinical guidance and consultation regarding effective and appropriate clinical goals, measurability, progress, and/or stagnation. 
• Reviews documentation and medical records, gathers behavioral observations, evaluates, assesses, and synthesizes information. 
• Participates in additional team consultation sessions, family meetings, discharge planning, and cross-team consultation meetings. 
• Responsible for creating discipline-specific treatment goals, documenting progress, and updating as needed in the electronic health record (i.e., individual therapy, specific group therapy modalities, behavioral plans, etc.). 
• Provides clinical leadership to the treatment teams and consults with multidisciplinary staff across the hospital. 
• May consult with external stakeholders regarding treatment needs and recommendations to support continuity of care. Examples include consultation with CMHH-FL staff, meetings with the patients’ family, liaison with mental health centers, attorneys, and district and/or probate courts.

Clinical Intervention:
Under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist:

• Delivers therapeutic services aimed at acute symptom reduction, psychiatric stabilization, and skill acquisition.
  

Psychological Screening & Assessment:

• Responsible for conducting standardized risk assessments as well as assisting the licensed Psychologists as appropriate in conducting psychological assessments (such as intellectual testing, adaptive abilities, personality measures, comprehensive psychodiagnostics batteries, competency-related skills, and a variety of screening measures). 
• Assists the Psychologist in administering and scoring psychological assessments. 
• Documents encounters in the electronic health record and may support the psychologist in collaborating with the treatment team on implementation of recommendations from the patient’s assessment.
  

Student Support & Team Training:

• The hospital serves as a premier clinical training site for academic institutions. 
• Supports the Psychology Department in our externship program, specifically co-leading with and helping to train these students on group curriculum and competency restoration. 
• Helps develop and support training for the forensic teams as part of the Clinical Services Department.
  

Other Duties As Assigned:

• Operational Adaptability: Addresses emergent hospital-wide needs that directly impact patient care and safety, responds to crises to ensure immediate safety of patients and staff, and provides coverage assignments as operationally directed by leadership.
• Milieu Support: Steps in during emergency codes or high-stress periods to provide active, supportive presence and crisis containment within the therapeutic milieu.
  

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

Current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate as a: To be considered for this position, it is required to have an active license from the list below. 

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR

• Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) OR

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Current, valid full license from Colorado in any of the above fields also meets the requirements for this classification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• SPMI

• Forensic experience

• LPCC or LPC license

• Previous State experience

Conditions Of Employment:

• 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire; annual influenza vaccination; other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado.
• Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials – Explain: May be exposed to bodily fluids or caustic chemicals.
• Full Background  CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):
  CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

  • Disclose that information on the application.

  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you 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 CDHS.

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.

• 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 of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application

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 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.