Correctional Officer I - Ark Valley Correctional Facility

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility (AVCF) opened in August 1987. The facility is located just off of Highway 96 four miles west of Ordway and 40 miles east of Pueblo. AVCF is a Level III facility that manages a diverse population of medium custody inmates.

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. Member Contribution Rates. Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as "Safety Officers" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits;

• 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;

• Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits. for more information.

A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. 

The resulting eligibility list may be used to fill future vacancies at this location.

Work Location: 12750 CO-96 #13, Ordway, CO 81063, USA

• Work directly with inmates in a locked facility;
• Monitor and control access to the facility and restricted areas;
• Man an armed post (this requires annual firearms certification);
• Monitor facility perimeter, detain unidentified pedestrians and/or vehicles;
• Operate a variety of mechanical doors, security devices, equipment and alarms;
• Control movement of inmates throughout the daily schedule;
• Escort and transport inmates in authorized state vehicles;
• Monitor visiting areas;
• Conduct formal, informal and emergency counts;
• Cross check and maintain movement logs;
• Conduct searches for contraband (this may include canine, metal detector, pat, perimeter, strip and vehicle searches);
• Inspect facility and cells to maintain health, safety and sanitation standards;
• Inspect inmate mail and property;
• Utilize proper protocols when responding to emergency situations, such as fights, medical emergencies, fires and escapes;
• Follow established tool and key control, ensure proper storage and documentation;
• Attend roll call;
• Document incidents utilize established reporting practices;
• Communicate pertinent information to coworkers and supervisors.

• Strong work ethic, accountability, integrity and dependability;
• Sound judgment, reasoning 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;
• Excellent customer service and attention to detail;
• 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 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 and security devices in a safe and professional manner;
• Ability to use and be exposed to chemical agents (e.g. pepper spray);  
• Ability to learn to operate communications equipment in a professional manner (e.g., two-way radio, telephone switchboard, public address equipment);
• Ability 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
• 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.

• Bilingual
• Mentoring others and/or volunteer work

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 resigned in lieu of termination are required to:

  • Disclose the details of the prior termination or resignation on the application.

  • Explain why the circumstances of the prior separation should not disqualify them from the current position.

  • 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 CDOC. 

• 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 have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; DOC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

• Successfully pass all modules of the six-week 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

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov. 

After submitting an application, you should receive an 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 daily as time sensitive correspondence WILL take place via email. You may receive email notifications from a Colorado Dept. of Corrections employee or from this email address: [email protected]. 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 or if you have questions about this job announcement, please contact Ronnye Goodman, at [email protected].

SCHEDULED DATES OF POSSIBLE APPLICANT ASSESSMENTS (I.E., EXAMS, ORAL BOARDS, WRITTEN EXAMS) WILL NOT BE MADE UP.  IF YOU FAIL TO SHOW AT THE APPOINTED DATE/TIME, MAKE-UPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.  

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. The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. 

The 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, Kristen Lange, at [email protected] or call 719-728-0270.

ALL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE TOBACCO FREE. 

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PROTECTED CLASSES TO APPLY.