Salary: $3,725.08 - $5,960.31 Biweekly
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: IIC 07555 10/20/2026
Department: Colorado Department of Human Services
Division: OBH - CMHIFL
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 11/3/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 3520 West Oxford Avenue, Denver, CO 80236
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.
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 JobYou 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.
Description of JobThe position exists to provide educational programming for adolescent and adult patients. The primary need is to provide special education services and case management for youth 12-21 with disabilities. This position provides educational experiences that are integral to patient therapy allowing many patients to advance their knowledge, learn coping skills related to their disability, and study for their GED. In addition, federal legislation such as the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the state of Colorado's Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA) mandate a free and appropriate education for individuals under the age of twenty-two and or patients with Individualized Educational Plans. This position allows us to better meet our legal obligations to patients such as maintaining Individualized Education Plans and providing educational programming to patients.
Summary of this position: This position functions as the Director of the Education Department and the Special Education Director at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital at Fort Logan (CMHHIFL). This position prepares and monitors the budget for the education department's programs and school, including allotting instructional funds to each academic and career and technical teachers; establishes the organizational structure for the department's programs and school; and plans and monitors the educational program. Programmatic responsibilities include assessing program needs, developing program or school curricula, evaluating the program and making adjustments, and formulating the standards and procedures to comply with certification requirements established by other state agencies.
Primary Job Duties:Educational Program Development and Oversight:- This position provides strategic master planning to adopt and maintain state education mandates, department requirements, write policy and procedure, and develop educational guidelines to implement the education program at CMHHIFL. Responsible for ensuring curricula used in the facility meets Colorado's Common Core Academic
- Standards. Decisions concerning any common curriculum for this state operated facility are determined by this position. Professional Development/Training is determined by this position in order to provide training with calculated outcomes. Sustains a consistent reporting system for student growth, achievement, and career readiness for students at CMHHIFL. Determines diagnostic educational assessment tests, career testing and protocols used at assessment with students. Oversees quality assurance of monitoring and annual audits for education/special education. This position responds to any appeals regarding education/special education, special education legal issues: due process complaints, state complaints, non-provision of required special education services. This position must consider educational theory and strategy along with behavioral and treatment techniques for students with mental, physical, and/or criminal behavior considerations.
Financial Oversight:- This position prepares, monitors and oversees the education department budget and grants. Budgets include general budget, any grants received including Special Education. Budgets are developed and monitored at least monthly. All expenditures made through PCard or larger purchases are approved at this level for education programming at the Institute. Business cases are developed to meet education needs for additional services.
- As business needs dictate more resources, this position completes decision items requesting additional funding for education. Salary setting and justification for salaries is completed for new hires. IT requests are approved and signed by this position. Monthly or quarterly appropriations are approved and signed. All PCard statements are reviewed monthly by this position and require Appointing Authority's signature if approved.
Supervision of Education and School Library Staff:- Supervise all staff in the education department and school library services, which includes developing and monitoring performance, resolving informal grievances, assists Appointing Authority with corrective and disciplinary actions, and assures ongoing education and training for staff. This position initiates and participates in the hiring for all education and library staff at the Institute. This includes completing job analysis as needed, developing or reviewing all position descriptions, personal action forms, any disciplinary action of education department staff is originated by this position.
Organization Structure:- This position determines what is needed to meet the educational needs of students as business needs change for the department. Performs other duties as assigned.
Stakeholder Participation:- This position represents patient education for the Hospital. Attends necessary meetings; responds to concerns of public schools and other agencies; builds relationships with the Colorado Department of Education and Special Education unit. Represents CMHHIFL and the department on task forces concerning the education of juveniles in mental health hospitals. Responds timely and provides ongoing feedback concerning the impact of new legislation, policy and procedures. Updates policy and procedures as needed for education in the department.
All Other Duties as Assigned:- Any other duties that may arise in the course of performing duties of this position that aren't covered in the above duty statements.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights*** PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT AND FOLLOW ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE APPLICATION. YOU MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION TO BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR IT. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS ON TIMELINES TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION - ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED AND ALL TRANSCRIPTS MUST HAVE SCHOOL NAME, YOUR NAME, AND ALL PAGES- THIS IS THE FIRST EVALUATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS***MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience: All Teaching Assignments:- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment
- Current, valid Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education
- Six (6) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position
- Administrator License issued by the Colorado Dept of Education with Director of Special Education endorsement or must have Temporary Educator Endorsement (TEE)
Vocational Teaching Assignments only:Specific vocational credential related to the work assigned to the position.
Substitutions: Academic Teaching Assignments only:Current, valid Colorado Adult Basic Education Authorization will substitute for the Colorado Professional Teacher license. Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Vocational Teaching Assignments only:Additional appropriate education will substitute for the vocational credential or the required experience a year-for-year basis.
Special Qualifications:- Administrator License issued by the Colorado Dept of Education with Director of Special Education endorsement or must have Temporary Educator Endorsement (TEE). Required by the Colorado Department of Education as stipulated in 1 CCR 301-8, Rules for the Administration of the Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA) 2220-R-3.02 Standards for Eligible Facilities and State Operated Programs.
- Experience with the Colorado Department of Education's data system (End of Year, October Count, December Count)
- Experience with Colorado Department of Education's budget process
- Experience with the formal supervision and evaluation of special education staff
- Shall not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal or financial relationships with patients either during or any time hospitalization, even if the patient requests or initiates such a relationship. All relationships with current or former patients must disclose on your application; Successfully pass all modules of the CMHHIFL 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 successfully complete hospital required verbal physical intervention training and CPR;
- Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
- Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
- 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;
- Willing and able to travel;
- 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire;
- Annual influenza vaccination.
Preferred Candidates will possess the following qualifications:- Current, valid Colorado Professional Principal License
- Current, valid Colorado Professional Teacher License with a core content endorsement (Math, Science, Social Studies, or English/Language Arts)
- Current, valid Colorado Professional Teacher License with Special Education endorsement
Conditions of Employment:- Full Background - CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License Verification (if applicable), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services Only), For those with direct contact with children: Trails check and DIANA Screener - For those with direct contact with adults at the Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers and Veterans Community Living Centers: CAPS.
- 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 Record (MVR) Check.
- Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License
- Travel - Travel to meetings, training, etc., Driver's license needed to transport patients in state vehicle from patient unit to area that educational services are provided.
- Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
- Disclose that information on the application.</