Job Description

Posting number: IIB 00745 10/21/2026

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: OBH (Office of Behavioral Health)

Job classification: Health Professional IV

Posting type: Open

Categories: Forensics

Summary

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This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Located within the Colorado Department of Human Services, Civil and Forensic Mental Health (CFMH) is responsible for policy development, service provision and coordination, program monitoring and evaluation, and administrative oversight for the public behavioral health system. CFMH funds, supports, and monitors numerous mental health and substance abuse community programs and providers. CFMH also operates the Colorado Mental Health Hospitals at Fort Logan and Pueblo, the Mental Health Transitional Living Homes, and the Forensic Services Division. CFMH executes the State’s federal responsibilities as the State Mental Health Authority and the State Substance Abuse Authority to administer federal block grant funds for mental health and substance abuse.

The Forensic Services Division is responsible for six departments, including Forensic Community-Based Services (FCBS), Jail-Based Evaluation and Restoration (JBR), Outpatient Restoration (OPR), the Forensic Support Team (FST), the Court Services Department, and the Operations Department.

Our teams work within various settings, including community agencies, jails, courts, and hospitals. The locations can include locked units and secure facilities, and our clients may at times be unpredictable due to their mental health needs. Our team is required to make critical decisions in dynamic and fast-paced environments to ensure a high level of accountability for patient care. Our staff is required to maintain updated skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies necessary to the position through continuing education, clinical supervision, literature review, and discipline and team development. This position may require traveling throughout Colorado to meet the needs of the department.

The JBR Program exists to serve as the only program to provide jail-based competency restoration services for individuals found incompetent to proceed by the courts and ordered to undergo restoration treatment for the State of Colorado. In addition, the JBR department provides oversight to contracted private hospital programs. The program additionally provides treatment to those individuals ordered by the courts to undergo an initial evaluation of competency and mental condition/sanity evaluations. The JBR Program serves as the State expert on restoration and competency in a jail-based setting and collaborates with numerous other entities and governmental agencies to ensure best practices in admissions across the State, best practices in competency restoration treatment, and continuity of care and follow-up care for individuals discharging from the program. The JBR program oversees all contracts associated with these programs, coordinates admissions, conducts program audits, establishes best practices, and engages in site visits.

Examples of duties

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Hybrid with a minimum of 2 days in the office and/or on site.

This position will comply with the Forensic Services Department's current

working arrangements.

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

This position reports directly to the Clinical Supervisor and has second-line supervision from the JBR Director, while serving as the work lead for the department's admissions clinician and coordinator. As work lead, this position facilitates work assignments for select team members to ensure all admissions reviews are completed in a timely and efficient manner across programs. This position also serves as a primary staff member for admissions into our hospital-level programs, requiring knowledge pertaining to hospital credentialing, licensing criteria, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In addition, this position is responsible for the clinical assessment of all individuals court-ordered to inpatient forensic evaluations and/or restoration. The assessment includes review of a large volume of collateral documentation, evaluations, and treatment records to determine which program is best suited to meet the individual's treatment needs. Reviews include assessment of a variety of variables associated with safety, psychiatric treatment need, and restoration needs. This position primarily focuses on assessments for individuals into our hospital-based facilities; however, may also assist the team in such assessments for our jail-based facilities. Along with other team members, this position will assist staff with the coordination of programmatic functions across various entities (e.g., communicating changes in patient treatment needs to inform patient movement to different treatment programs/level of care), track data, and engage in daily communications with various agencies and departments. Lastly, this position assists in the creation of departmental policies and procedures and assists the team with gathering data to report to CFMH and CDHS management about the program's performance and compliance with policies and procedures. Other duties include:

Admission Assessments:

• Gathers referrals from various sources including the referral table, Admissions Directors at CMHHIP, CMHHIFL, Court Services, the Forensic Support Team, various county jails, and various databases.
• Uses established criteria to determine admissions and discharges to and from the programs in a timely and efficient manner.
• Analyzes information, including records and psychological assessments, and uses clinical judgment to make decisions regarding placement needs. These duties will primarily serve the hospital programs and will also support jail-based restoration programs, as needed.

Work Lead:

• Assists Health Professional III’s in using established criteria to determine admissions and discharges to and from jail-based restoration beds in a timely and efficient manner.
• Assists Health Professional IIIs in delineating appropriateness between jail-based restoration programs and hospital-purchased beds.
• Analyzes information including records and psychological assessments, and uses clinical judgment to make decisions and advise Health Professional IIIs regarding placement and transfer needs.
• Responds quickly to the changing needs of a patient’s placement or the program and frequently will be required to make decisions based on clinical judgment and expertise.
• Supports leadership in the creation and implementation of practices that support efficiency and accuracy.

Program Implementation and Monitoring Contractor Performance:

• Assists the Social Worker IVs with monitoring program performance using program and individual client data and site visits at the hospital-purchased bed locations.
• Supports site visits for jail-based restoration locations. Promotes operational and administrative compliance with appropriate CDHS policies and procedures.
• Serves as the liaison between the contractors, CDHS court services department, CMHHIP, CMHHIFL, private hospital partnerships, CDHS outpatient restoration department, and the Director of Jail Based Restoration.
• Assists with data collection, tracking, analysis, and interpretation.
• Assists with reporting to OCFMH and CDHS management about the program's performance and compliance with policies and procedures.

Communication, Training, Education, and Data:

• Collaborates with the various stakeholders, including state psychiatric facilities, county jails, agents of the courts, contractors, court services employees, CMHHIP admissions program, CMHHIP legal-medical records, and CMHHIP DPS transport to ensure essential information is communicated as needed for admissions, discharges, and continuity of care.
• Assists with aspects of communication that may overlap and/or correlate with one another.
• Assists with data tracking, collection, and reporting to CDHS and CFMH.
• Contributes to and participates in presentations regarding jail-based and private-hospital restoration services and will remain informed of relevant competency evaluation and restoration trends and research.

Other Duties As Assigned:

• Required to perform additional duties not specifically outlined in the duty statements in order to meet the operational needs of the agency and the CFMH department.

Qualifications

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years.

Special Qualifications: Must meet the below to be considered for this position

• Master's level education in mental health/social work related field (e.g., clinical psychology, forensic psychology, Social Work, and Psychology) and
• Current license as a Clinical Social Worker with the Board of Social Work Examiners (LCSW or LSW) or
• Current license as a Professional Counselor with the Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners (LPC or LPCC)

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience in competency restoration or evaluation
• Preferred experience working with the SPMI population
• Preferred experience working in a jail or psychiatric hospital setting
• Preferred previous experience with competency to stand trial and work with the severe and persistently mentally ill in acute settings

Conditions of Employment:

• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border.
• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of the employment start date.
• 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).
• Travel – Explain: Frequent in-state travel between offices CMHIP, CMHIFL and various detention facilities and
• hospitals
• 2-Step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required
• Annual Influenza vaccination and other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado.
• This position shall contribute to an on-call rotation, crisis management, and may be required to engage with stakeholders after hours.
• Due to the juvenile population served at the MHI facilities, incumbents of this position must be at least 21 years of age.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
• Disclose that information on the application.
• 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.
• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.

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 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.

Below is some additional information:

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
• You can find the official appeal form here.
• You must 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

• 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.
2. Close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.