SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR II
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SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR II
Salary
$74,940.00 - $104,928.00 Annually
Location
Pueblo, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IIB 05221 8/21/25
Department
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division
OBH - CMHIP
Opening Date
08/21/2025
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
jazzma.gamboa@state.co.us
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.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP)
Social Work/ Counselor II
Full Time
As a cornerstone of the Pueblo community for over a century, Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) is a leading employer, provider of quality mental health services, and a community partner. CMHHIP is a 24 hour behavioral health acute care facility that is intended to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic setting for patients with both psychiatric and medical issues. The services provided include evaluation and treatment for patients who are severely mentally ill, and the goal of this facility is to return patients to their optimal level of functioning and assist them in returning to the community as appropriate.
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Description of Job
About the Position:
This position exists to provide therapeutic interventions, including psychosocial therapies and individual, family, and group treatment to severely emotionally disturbed/cognitively impaired patients and their families under the direction of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 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 psychosocial assessments by interviewing, collaborating, analyzing, and assimilating social histories, demonstrating the relationship among current behavior problems, environmental resources, and support systems. This assessment generates a clinical summary and treatment recommendations that predictably affects treatment and continuity of care in the community.
Provide documentation as required
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
Attend 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
Provide required documentation
Psychosocial Education:
This position assesses patient and family education needs and identifies readiness to learn, motivation, strengths, and barriers to the learning process
Provide ongoing psycho/social education that is relevant to individual, social, environmental factors, medical regimen, to enhance mental health growth and stability.
Educate patient and family regarding related symptoms of their disorders, symptom management, risk factors, relapse prevention and level of care needs.
Written or @typed documentation of the above.
Treatment
This position provides individual, family, group therapy and system interventions utilizing social work theoretical framework and methods with consideration of ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual diversity.
Written or @typed documentation of above.
Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned:
Keeps updated on state of the art of theories for assessment and treatment of the psychiatrically impaired patient, and as appropriate, for the patient dually diagnosed with dementia, developmental disability or substance-related disorder.
Works with other team members to gather appropriate outcome data to assess effectiveness of treatment. Written or @typed documentation of above
Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications:
Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a:
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) OR
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate (LMFTC) OR
Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC)
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 decision
Previous state employee
Conditions of Employment:
Travel - Willing and able to travel
must possess a valid unrestricted Colorado Driver's License
2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges
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 successfully complete CTI 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
Annual influenza vaccination
Former employees of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) who were disciplinary terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on your application and may not be eligible for employment at CDHS
APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail 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.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact Jazzma.Gamboa@state.co.us
About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs) (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. 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 www.copera.org 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
BenefitHub state employee discount program
Employee Wellness program (https://coloradostateofhealth.com/)
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .
Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .
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.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of 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, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform 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 our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
THE CAMPUS OF THE COLORADO MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE AT PUEBLO IS TOBACCO FREE
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~ (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#eoe)
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
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02
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Describe your work experience as a Licensed Social Worker.
04
As an LSW, describe your experience conducting Biopsychosocial Assessments with psychiatric patients
05
As an LSW, describe your experience with writing, coordinating and implementing treatment plans
06
As an LSW, describe your experience in facilitating and coordinating discharge planning for psychiatric patients reintegrating back into the community
07
As an LSW, describe your experience with providing social work services/case management for individuals with a mental illness in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital
08
As an LSW, describe your experience providing therapeutic treatment to individuals with a mental illness and those facing competency restoration challenges
09
As an LSW, describe your experience with networking and connecting psychiatric patients with resources in the community in order to provide the best chance for a successful reintegration
10
Tell us where you obtained your Master's in Social Work and how you have been able to apply the principles that you learned through your program
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
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