Job Description

Posting number: IIC 06819 9/1/2026

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: OBH - CMHIFL

Job classification: Psychologist I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Health Services, Mental Health

Summary

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This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies on our forensic and civil teams.

This position will accept applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado. This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete. If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado prior to their start date, at their own expense.

CO Service Corps eligible

The Colorado Mental Health Hospital at Fort Logan (CMHH-FL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMH-IFL 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. CMHIFL provides inpatient treatment to adult patients, generally between the ages of 18-59. The hospital currently has 154 adult inpatient beds, over seven treatment milieus serving civil and forensic individuals. Medical services, occupational therapy, neuropsychological rehabilitation services, and trauma-informed care services are available to all patients throughout the hospital.

Through our core values listed below, CMHIFL staff are 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 Psychologist I 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, including 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.

Examples of duties

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 Psychologist is responsible for individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Individual and family therapy are provided as needed, which is determined in the treatment plan meetings and in collaboration with the treatment team. Group therapy is offered to all patients and group assignment shall be determined by clinical and individualized need, which the Psychologist guides. The Psychologist is responsible for developing group materials appropriate for patient specific needs and leading group therapy sessions. For individuals requiring a more detailed treatment approach or tailored intervention for specific behaviors, the Psychologist will develop individualized behavior plans and programs and will provide psychoeducation and training to all milieu staff for successful implementation. The Psychologist is responsible for monitoring the plan, documenting in the electronic health record, providing the patient and the treatment team with feedback, and modifying as needed.

The Psychologist conducts comprehensive psychological testing and consults with all treatment teams on appropriate referrals and testing results. In addition, the Psychologist is responsible for providing psychological expertise to the treatment teams, all hospital departments, and external stakeholders. The Psychologist documents regularly in the electronic health record and contributes to the training of doctoral externs and predoctoral interns through various psychological seminars, supervision, co-facilitation, and mentoring. The Psychologist actively contributes to hospital-wide events, in-service training, and program development. Lastly, the Psychologist is responsible for completion of certification evaluations and court testimony. Other duties include:

Therapeutic and Behavioral Intervention:

• Responsible for individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Individual and family therapy are provided as needed, which is determined in the treatment plan meetings and in collaboration with the treatment team. Group therapy is offered to all patients and group assignment shall be determined by clinical and individualized need, which the Psychologist guides.
• Responsible for developing group materials appropriate for patient-specific needs and leading group therapy sessions. For individuals requiring a more detailed treatment approach or a tailored intervention for specific behaviors, the Psychologist will develop individualized behavior plans and programs and provide psychoeducation and training to all milieu staff to support successful implementation.
• Responsible for monitoring the plan, documenting in the electronic health record, providing the patient and the treatment team with feedback, and modifying as needed.

Treatment Planning and Clinical Consultation:

• 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. To effectively do so, the Psychologist 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. At times, the psychologist 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’ families, liaison with mental health centers, attorneys, and district and/or probate courts.

Evaluation for Civil Commitment:

• Reviews the legal status of all patients admitted to CMHH-FL and evaluates their mental status and condition to determine whether they can be released, can cooperate with voluntary inpatient treatment, or need to be certified pursuant to Colorado Mental Health Statutes (CRS 27-65-101 et seq.) for involuntary treatment.
• Communicates findings to the Court by letters, petitions, and expert-witness testimony as needed.

Psychological Screening and Assessment:

• Responsible for performing Psychological Assessments to include standardized suicide risk assessment measures, intellectual testing, adaptive abilities, personality measures, comprehensive psychodiagnostics batteries, competency-related skills, and a variety of screening measures.
• Assists the treatment team in determining whether a formal psychological assessment may inform treatment planning, diagnosis, and disposition plans, and in choosing appropriate assessment procedures.
• Administers all testing measures, completes a written report, submits documentation in the electronic health record, and communicates the results and recommendations to the treatment team and milieu staff.

Student Training and Student Supervision:

• CMHH-FL has a long-standing predoctoral internship program and also trains predoctoral psychology externship students. Currently, CMHH-FL partners with the University of Denver Consortium as a predoctoral internship training site.
• Responsible for interviewing and selecting predoctoral extern and intern-level students.
• Contributes to training opportunities through externship and internship-level didactic curriculum and supervision.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Other duties as assigned include hospital-wide ad hoc activities, milieu support, etc.

Qualifications

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

Current, valid licensure as a Psychologist from the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners

One (1) year of experience as a licensed psychologist or permitted psychologist candidate

No Substitutions

Preferred Qualifications

• Psychology Doctorate (Ph.D., Psy.D.)
• Experience completing comprehensive psychological assessment and/or civil certifications; clinical experience with inpatient, forensic, or SPMI populations.
• Previous State Experience

Conditions of Employment:

• May be exposed to bodily fluids or caustic chemicals
• Due to the juvenile population served at the MHI facilities, incumbents of this position must be at least 21 years of age
• Other: 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire. Annual influenza vaccination and other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado.
• 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.

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 and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.