The Colorado Department of Corrections is committed to the safety of our employees. The CDOC has been working with state and local partners to proactively prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the state prison system.

New Hire Incentive guidelines are as follows:
1. New hire must successfully complete the probationary period, staying one year
2. If new hire leaves the department prior to one year, incentive shall be paid back/collected at the time of final payout
3. Not applicable to employee promotions
4. Paid out at three months and six months of service

Note: CDOC staff members who left the department after 9/21/2022, will not be eligible for the new hire incentive if they choose to return.

New Employee relocation Incentive:

• $5000 available to the first 50 new Correctional Officers or Clinical Professionals, working in a 24/7 facility, relocating from Weld County or out of state, hired for positions in Buena Vista or Canon City and relocating to Chaffee or Fremont county.
• Available after one month of service; must be repaid if the employee leaves before one year.

The mission of the Colorado Department of Corrections is "To protect the citizens of Colorado by holding offenders accountable and engaging them in opportunities to make positive behavioral changes and become law abiding, productive citizens."

Our vision..."Building a safer Colorado for today and tomorrow".

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and builds greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient.

In addition to a great agency and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans;
• Medical and dental health plans;
• Short and long term disability coverage;
• Paid life insurance;
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more.

The Correctional Officer I (CO I) positions maintain the safety and security of Colorado Department of Corrections' (CDOC) prison facilities throughout the state. Correctional Officers support the CDOC Mission, Vision and Values with integrity and commitment while preparing inmates for community reentry.

Correctional Officers respectfully communicate with inmates and their families, coworkers, supervisors, managers and the public; presenting a professional and dependable workforce. Positions must cooperate with other staff members and work as a cohesive team, while managing a diverse inmate population.

Positions maintain the safety and security of the general public, staff and inmates; duties include, but are not limited to:

• Monitoring and controlling access to the facility and restricted areas;
• Manning an armed post (this requires annual firearms certification);
• Monitoring facility perimeter, detaining unidentified pedestrians and/or vehicles;
• Operating a variety of mechanical doors, security devices, equipment and alarms;
• Controlling movement of inmates throughout daily schedules;
• Escorting and transporting inmates in authorized state vehicles;
• Monitoring visiting areas;
• Conducting formal, informal and emergency counts;
• Cross checking and maintaining movement logs;
• Conducting searches for contraband (this may include canine, metal detector, pat, perimeter, strip and vehicle searches);
• Inspecting facility and cells to maintain health, safety and sanitation standards;
• Inspecting inmate mail;
• Utilizing proper protocols when responding to emergency situations, such as fights, medical emergencies, fires and escapes;
• Following established tool and key control, ensuring proper storage and documentation;
• Attending roll call;
• Documenting incidents utilizing established reporting practices;
• Communicating pertinent information to coworkers and supervisors.

• High School Diploma or a GED certificate.

• Must be 18 years of age, have no felony convictions or domestic violence history, and possess a valid, unrestricted driver's license.

• Strong work ethic, integrity and dependability;
• Sound judgment and decision making skills;
• Self control, strong sense of ability to work in stressful situations;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively cooperate with other staff members and inspire teamwork;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to visually observe and audibly hear in order to observe changes, inappropriate activity, hazards or potential security breeches and verbally communicate pertinent information;
• Ability to visually observe and monitor inmate whereabouts and maintain an accurate count in assigned areas;
• Ability to verbally communicate clearly and willingness to do so respectfully;
• Knowledge of criminal justice systems regarding treatment of inmates and/or incarcerated individuals, which includes state statutes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA); and department Administrative Regulations, policy, standards and guidelines;
• Ability to perform intermediate computer keyboarding skills and communicate via computer based email;
• Ability to study information and recount events in a written, comprehensive, legible method;
• Ability to incorporate the CDOC mission statement while completing daily job duties;
• Knowledge of and willingness to apply effective correctional methods to prepare inmates for community reentry;
• Willingness and ability to respectfully communicate with inmate families and the public;
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with inmates through daily monitoring in a variety of situations;
• Ability to control, direct and instruct inmates individually and in groups;
• Willingness to respectfully work with a diverse population;
• Ability to remain alert and observant throughout shift;
• Ability to conduct searches (canine, general area, metal detector, pat, perimeter, strip or vehicle);
• Ability to use fingers to detect attributes of objects such as size, shape and texture during searches and to manipulate security equipment;
• Ability to safely operate and monitor ingress and egress mechanical doors;
• Ability to learn about and utilize firearms, restraints, chemical agents, and security devices in a safe and professional manner;
• Ability to learn to operate communications equipment in a professional manner (e.g., two-way radio, telephone switchboard, public address equipment);
• Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp and turn objects;
• Willingness to follow chain of command and established safety and security protocols;
• Ability to quickly respond to emergencies (such as fights, medical emergencies, fires or escapes);
• Ability to use physical force to control a situation;
• Ability to climb stairs and walk on hard surfaces throughout shift;
• Willingness and ability to work outside during inclement weather;
• Willingness and ability to adhere to the CDOC Drug Deterrence Program.

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, eSkills 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.

• 
  Must be 18 years of age;
• Possess a valid driver’s license;
• Possess a high school diploma or GED;
• Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609. The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.
• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDOC uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. CDOC does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.
• Successfully pass all modules of the Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics;
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics;
  • Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
  • Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
  • Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
  • Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
  • Swing a baton in a striking technique;
  • Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
  • Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;
• Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment;
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security;
• 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;
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner;
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders;
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments;
• 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;
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule;
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.

Exception: Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified employees are prohibited from the use of marijuana. Health care professionals must check their licensing requirements regarding marijuana use.

After submitting an application, you should receive an immediate email acknowledging your submission. If you do not get the email, please check to ensure you have actually submitted the application and typed the correct email address on the application.

Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time sensitive correspondence WILL take place via email. You may receive email notifications from a Colorado Department of Corrections employee or from this email address info@governmentjobs.com It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email; if you do not receive correspondence soon after the closing date, please contact the "Department Contact" listed in this announcement. Please contact Tracy Willner @ tracy.willner@state.co.us or at 719-226-4400.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive 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.

Colorado Department of Corrections 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 Employee Relations Specialist, Ana Andersen, at doc_employeerelations@state.co.us or call 719-226-4401.