SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR III- CMHHIP

Salary: $83,448.00 - $116,820.00 Annually
Location : Pueblo, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: IIB 06203 11/13/26
Department: Colorado Department of Human Services
Division: OBH - CMHIP
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 12/3/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Primary Physical Work Address: In person position not eligible for remote work reporting to: Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo, 1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
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.

Department Information
This position is open to current Colorado Residents Only
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This work unit exists to provide inpatient psychiatric evaluations and treatment for severely emotionally disturbed and/or cognitively impaired older adults who cannot be safely or adequately treated in the community. The treatment program is designed to eliminate symptoms and behaviors of patients such as suicidality, assaultiveness, psychosis, depression and agitation which make them a danger to themselves or others, or gravely disabled, although the majority of patients are hospitalized with a forensic legal status. The purpose is to increase their mental health capacity in order to return them to their community to live safe, productive lives. Direct treatment utilizing individual, family, group work and psycho-educational treatment is provided.
Description of Job
You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the CMHHIP Campus

Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.
About the Position:
This position exists to provide therapeutic interventions including psychosocial therapies, individual, family and group treatment to severely emotionally disturbed/cognitively impaired patients and their families. This position completes assessments and disposition planning, interagency communication with residential care facilities, social services, community mental centers, etc., to ensure continued appropriate level services following discharge. Individualizes psychosocial therapy approaches to meet the specific needs of the patient population. Provide training and consultation to other professional staff. Duties in the position include:

Assessments:

• Completes a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of patients being admitted for inpatient psychiatric treatment
• Interviews the patient assuring that assessment data is as reliable as possible, that the patient is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that symptoms and behaviors are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner
• Contacts/ engages parents/ family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agency personnel to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supporting information to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the patient's situation
• Completes the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) and the bio-psychosocial component of the hospital's Integrated Initial Assessment document
• Completes re-assessments of the patient's situation and response to treatment as frequently as daily and documents patient progress in progress notes, weekly progress notes, and treatment plan reviews
• Collaborates with and inform team members of relevant assessment information

Community Reintegration:

• Coordinates discharge planning through evaluation and assessment of patient's needs as they relate to available community resources and exploring and mobilizing those resources
• Is the liaison between hospital and community agencies. Identifies and chooses appropriate community placements and treatment programs
• Provides case management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies, networking and directing reciprocal relationships with community agencies, Social Security, Social Services, Court system, jails, DOC, probation, parole, DYC, attorneys, CMHC, CCB, nursing, boarding, and group homes, individuals and families
• Attends meetings with the above-mentioned agencies

Treatment Planning:

• Participates in the direction and formulation of treatment plans and reviews
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary treatment team by recommending and designing treatment interventions, which meet patient and family education and therapeutic needs
• Provides required documentation

Psychosocial Education:

• Assesses patient and family education needs and identifies readiness to learn, motivation, strengths, and barriers to the learning process
• Provides ongoing psycho/social education that is relevant to individual, social, and environmental factors and medical regimens to enhance mental health growth and stability
• Educates patients and families regarding related symptoms of their disorders, symptom management, risk factors, relapse prevention, and level of care needs
• Provides required and necessary documentation of the above

Treatment

• Conducts individual, group, and family therapy sessions using social work theories and concepts relevant to the needs and pathology of patients and their families, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious, and sexual issues to affect behavioral change and reduce symptoms in the patient and the family
• Interprets treatment issues, problems, expectations, and changes in behavior for patients and their families
• Assesses and documents the effectiveness of specific interventions toward meeting the goals and objectives of treatment
• Guides milieu staff by modeling patient interventions, recommending practice and patient "homework" assignments that they may implement
• Develops a therapeutic alliance with the patient and family to secure their understanding and participation in the treatment process
• Provides information and education to patients and family and/or community providers about mental illness and treatment and/or refer to relevant resources to enhance their understanding of of patient's ongoing concerns and needs

Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned:

• Participates in orientation, educational workshops, social work discipline meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of social work and treatment services
• Provides consultation and training regarding social work services and clinical issues on a functional basis with clinical staff and discipline members
• Participates in clinical and administrative supervision to enhance, ensure, and confirm skills, knowledge, competency, and understanding of assigned cases and team, discipline, and hospital processes
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:
Current, valid Colorado licensure as a:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

AND

One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
Preferred Qualifications:

• MSW in Social Work
• Knowledge of casework methods, techniques, and their applications to work problems
• Knowledge of the principles of human growth and behavior, basic sociological and psychological treatment and therapy practices
• Knowledge of interviewing skills and techniques
• Ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to use interviewing skills and techniques effectively
• Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions

Conditions of Employment:

• Full background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License or an 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 employment start date
• Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

1. Disclose that information on the application.
2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
3. 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

• Shall not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal or financial relationships with patients either during or any time after hospitalization, even if the patient requests or initiates such a relationship All relationships with current or former patients must be disclosed on your application
• Successfully pass all modules of the CMHIP New Employee Orientation core curriculum to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics
• Possess the physical ability to complete hospital required physical intervention training, MANDT and CPR
• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled containment to the floor
• Withstand impact on own body using an ASP shield
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for using a defensive tactic
• Kneel on one or both knees and stand up again with multiple repetitions
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language; effectively and fluently communicates in English, both verbally and in writing
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings
• Travel -Willing and able to travel
• 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• Annual influenza vaccination

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 testi