CDOC State Teacher I - Special Education Instructor - (Pueblo)

State of Colorado

$72K — $115K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in education or related field required.
  • Valid Colorado Professional or Initial Teacher License with Special Education Endorsement required.
  • Master's degree in Education or related field preferred.
  • Experience teaching high-risk or incarcerated adults/youth preferred.
  • Knowledge of effective teaching strategies and techniques is essential.

Responsibilities

  • Teach and mentor inmate students in both group and individual settings.
  • Assess educational needs and develop customized learning goals.
  • Design and adapt lesson plans based on student abilities.
  • Utilize multi-sensory approaches in classroom instruction.
  • Evaluate student progress through performance assessments.
  • Maintain academic records such as grades and attendance.
  • Act as academic and vocational advisor for assigned students.

Benefits

  • Full-time role within the Department of Corrections.
  • Opportunity to impact lives through education and rehabilitation.
  • Engagement in a collaborative teaching team environment.
  • Supportive of self-discipline and motivation for students' reintegration.
  • Potential for professional development opportunities through state licensing.
Full Job Description
Salary: $6,022.00 - $9,636.00 Monthly
Location : Pueblo, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: YOS 15103 ST I - SPED 09.2026
Department: Department of Corrections
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 4:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: Youthful Offender System; Pueblo, CO 81003
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Type of Announcement: A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. 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.

Description of Job

The position exists to teach job entry level skills in the area of special education and general academics through classroom instruction to incarcerated individuals. The position will teach practical skills and promote self-discipline and motivation in order to guide and counsel students for career development necessary for reintegration into the community. Instruction is in accordance with the Colorado Department of Education.
Job Duties include but are not limited to:
  • Teach and mentor inmate students individually or in large and small group classrooms promoting academic performance skills;
  • Determine educational needs of inmate students to develop short and long term goals to include high school progression or work to achieve high school equivalency;
  • Review, revise and create appropriate lessons based on student abilities;
  • Use multi-sensory approaches to instruction and instructional material
  • Select and administer appropriate performance assessments to inmate students in order to measure progress, course completion requirements, and to evaluate training/testing effectiveness;
  • Collaborate with teaching team members and other special education staff;
  • Prepare reports and maintain records such as student grades, attendance rosters, and training activity details;
  • Act as academic and vocational advisor to students assigned;
  • Document student achievements, competencies and contact hours towards completion of certificate requirements;
  • Participate in residents' program team staffing Progress Assessment Summary (PAS) process;
  • Actively contribute to the safety and security of the facility through effective inmate management and promoting conflict resolution and solutions;
  • Endorse and adhere to the CDOC Mission and Vision promoting commitment and integrity;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Safety & Security - This position maintains safety and security by training inmates, and will be required to work security posts, perform inmate counts, shakedowns, searches, escorts, movement control, and inmate access to classrooms. Through conscientious observation and adherence to agency Administrative Regulations and the Code of Penal Discipline, the position promotes a safe and secure work environment.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in an education or closely related field.
  • Applicants must currently possess a valid Colorado Professional or Initial Teacher License with a Special Education Endorsement. (A copy of your license MUST be scanned and uploaded to this application at the time your application is submitted.)
    • Individuals who possess a Colorado Initial License upon hire must obtain the Colorado Professional Teacher License within three (3) years of date of hire.

Out of State Applicants Minimum Qualifications
  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in an education related field.
  • Must possess the appropriate educator license for your state (A copy of your license MUST be scanned and uploaded to this application at the time your application is submitted.)

Out of state applicants - you are strongly encouraged to understand the licensing requirements in Colorado. You may be eligible for the Colorado Interim Authorization click HERE
For more information about Colorado licensure click HERE
A copy of your college transcripts noting type of degree and date conferred MUST be scanned and uploaded to this application at the time your application is submitted in order to receive college course work credit if you wish to use your credit in order to be considered for this position. Transcripts must include the institution name, your name, degree, date conferred, and must be in pdf or jpg format.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
  • Significant knowledge of effective teaching strategies, methods and techniques;
  • Exceptional interpersonal/customer service skills;
  • Effectual conflict resolution skills;
  • Strong self motivation skills;
  • Highly effective organizing, planning and prioritizing skills;
  • Strong written and oral communications skills;
  • Proficiency in office technologies especially Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Precise attention to details;
  • 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;
  • 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Masters degree in Education or related field;
  • Experience teaching and assessing high risk or incarcerated adults or youth.


ONLY APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE MINIMUM AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS PROCESS.
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 resigne

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