Safety Specialist III - Grand Junction Regional Center (Western Slope)

This position will be accepting applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado. This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete. If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado prior to their start date, at their own expense

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

About Grand Junction Regional Center:

Grand Junction Regional Center (GJRC) is one of three Regional Centers. in Colorado that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have intensive needs. 

GJRC, which dates back to 1919, has both Intermediate Care Facilities/Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IDD) homes and Home and Community Based Services Waiver (HCBS Waiver) homes throughout the community. The center serves a diverse population, from people who have high abilities but are at high risk to themselves or others to people who have significant medical challenges.

Programs are individualized to meet varying needs. Services provided range from residential services and health services to mental health intervention. GJRC provides a day program, vocational and specialized habilitation, speech, occupational therapy, therapeutic recreation, and nutritional services.

The Safety Specialist III serves as the primary safety and regulatory compliance expert for the Grand Junction Regional Center (GJRC), overseeing environmental safety, life safety, emergency preparedness, and facility compliance across residential and program facilities. This position develops and implements safety programs, ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, coordinates facility inspections and corrective actions, and manages fleet operations and facility improvement projects to protect the health and safety of individuals served and staff.

Safety Coordinator: Develops, implements, and oversees agency-wide safety programs, including risk assessments, environmental inspections, safety audits, and corrective action plans. Serves as the primary liaison for state safety initiatives, conducts accident and incident investigations, and develops specialized safety training to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize workplace hazards.

Coordinate Inspections: Coordinates and facilitates regulatory inspections, licensing surveys, and internal safety audits to ensure compliance with Life Safety and Fire Safety codes. Develops and monitors Plans of Correction, collaborates with regulatory agencies and facility personnel, and oversees inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs of specialized medical and adaptive equipment.

Disaster Emergency Plan Implementation and Training: Develops, implements, and maintains comprehensive disaster preparedness and emergency response plans across agency facilities. Designs and delivers emergency preparedness training, maintains required compliance documentation, and evaluates emergency response procedures to ensure staff and residents are prepared for fires, severe weather, and other emergencies.

Fleet Management: Oversees agency fleet operations, including vehicle assignments, preventative maintenance, repairs, inspections, and regulatory compliance. Maintains fleet records, coordinates transportation resources, investigates vehicle incidents, and provides staff training on safe vehicle operation to ensure reliable transportation for individuals served and agency personnel.

Project Management: Coordinates facility maintenance, repairs, equipment modifications, and improvement projects to maintain safe and compliant residential and workplace environments. Serves as the primary liaison with the Division of Facilities Management (DFM) and external vendors, manages work orders and equipment procurement, and coordinates facility modifications, furnishings, and relocation projects.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Full Background Check Required - CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers

• This position requires residency within the state of Colorado throughout the duration of employment in this position.

• Motor Vehicle Check, if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an ongoing 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 a 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.  

• Position must travel to remote work sites and must utilize state vehicles, if available.  If not, must utilize personal vehicle and submit for mileage reimbursement.

• TB test required; requires Influenza and COVID vaccine as required by facility
• Must be able to exert up to 50# of force occasionally and /or up to 20# of force frequently and /or up to 10# of force constantly to move objects
• Shift Work – GJRC is a 24/7 facility, must be available to work any shift, any day and/or any area, to meet the agency needs. 
• Must be annually certified for the skilled implementation of Safety Care

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

  • Disclose that information on the application.
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you 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 CDHS.
    

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.

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.

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 testing. 

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications. 

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.     

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers  based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated.  You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email ([email protected]), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, 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.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

•  Refer to the  Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

• How to apply to the State of Colorado (Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

• The Assessment Process

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (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. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. 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 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

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• 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.

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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. 

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 [email protected].

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives 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.

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 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.