Department Information

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

This position will be required to work shift work.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies statewide. The first vacancy will be located at Crowley County Correctional Facility.

Colorado Department of Corrections Mission: We are a team of dynamic and diverse professionals building

a safer Colorado by cultivating transformative opportunities for those under our supervision.

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

CORE Values

Community Safety

Dignity, Diversity and Respect

Opportunity

Collaborative partnerships

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.

Due to the State's current hiring freeze, this position will not be filled until January 1, 2026, or after, unless a hiring freeze waiver/exemption has been approved.

The following announcement has been approved for recruitment through the waiver/exemption process during the temporary hiring freeze.

Description of Job

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) enforces criminal law to detect and deter crime within the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). Through the use of systematic investigative techniques, position plans and conducts criminal and administrative investigations as well as preparation of legal documents, reports, warrants and affidavits.

Specific duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

Conduct investigations of offender and employee misconduct to include violations of state statutes, federal laws and/or violations of administrative regulations.
- Investigations may include Title VII discrimination and sexual harassment complaints, use of force allegations, staff and offender relationships and other allegations of significant employee misconduct;
Coordinate facility drug interdictions and provide matrix supervision of assigned facility staff;
Interview suspects, victims, witnesses, and confidential sources;
Independently investigate crimes in a prison facility;
As lead investigator/ team leader, direct field investigations on a continuing basis, inclusive of determining and using the resources needed to complete an investigation, and assigning tasks to other investigative personnel and law enforcement officers;
Review findings, prepare investigative reports and legal documentation for presentation to appointing authorities and appropriate prosecuting agencies;
Prepare investigative reports and legal documentation;
Conduct surveillance and supervise and/or participate in undercover operations and assist other agencies in CDOC related cases and intelligence gathering;
Analyze complaints, determine authenticity and validate for presence of essential elements that constitute a crime under Colorado Statutes;
Review and analyze documents, statements and reports to identify witnesses, victims and suspects;
Write search and arrest affidavits to secure warrants and execute arrest and search warrants;
Obtain court orders for the collection of non-testimonial evidence and other related seizures;
Inventory and secure items seized during search warrants and during the routine collection of crime scene evidence and create exhibits for court proceedings;
Testify in court (e.g. administrative and personnel hearings, depositions, etc.);
Assigned other investigative tasks as required to include: assistance to other divisions on criminal investigations; fugitive operations; background investigations; interdiction operations; and other duties normally assigned to the Special Operations Divisions;
May be responsible for training and work/team lead of other OIG staff and field investigators;
May be utilized on K9 investigations;
Other duties, as needed.

Important information about this position:

As an OIG investigator you will work as a lead investigator, a support investigator and as an independent investigator at various times depending on the situation being investigated.
Position is subject to and must successfully pass a law enforcement background investigation, integrity interview and psychological evaluation.
Position will be on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a year-round basis to any correctional facility in the State of Colorado.
Selected applicant MUST permanently reside within 1 hour drive time to selected location.
Position requires a flexible schedule and the ability to travel extensively for periods of time for emergency situations or team operations.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

ONLY APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE CONSIDERED

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Eight (8) years of full-time *professional investigative criminal case experience conducting drug, assault, or fraud investigations to include ALL of the following aspects of investigations: Interviewing suspects, victims, and witnesses; collecting and processing evidence; writing criminal investigation reports; and testifying in hearings and trials . (This experience must be detailed within the work experience section of your application to meet this requirement. Part-time experience will be pro-rated.)

-OR-

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, certification, and/or relevant professional investigative experience as defined above equal to eight (8) years.

- AND -

Necessary Special Requirement: Applicants MUST possess a valid/active Colorado Peace Officer Standards Training Certification (POST) at the time of application, as defined by C.R.S. 24-33.5-303(6) and/or C.R.S. 18-1-901(3) (1) (1). A copy of your current and valid Colorado POST Certificate must be uploaded and attached to your application.

Professional Work Defined: Work that involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, and personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

There is no substitution for the Colorado POST requirement

Ensure that the 'Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for. This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position. "See resume" statements cannot be accepted in lieu of the "work experience" section of the application. Additional work experience will not be accepted after the job announcement close date for compensation purposes.

Required Competencies:

Extensive experience conducting independent criminal and/or administrative investigations with precise attention to detail and affecting the arrest of suspects;
Working knowledge of and experience in federal, state, and local statutes, rules, and regulations related to criminal and administrative investigation;
Extensive knowledge of Colorado Criminal Law;
Broad experience conducting complex criminal investigations;
Self directed and strong initiative;
Excellent written and oral communication;
Public speaking skills with the ability to reach a variety of audiences;
Exceptional interpersonal/customer service skills which demonstrate respect for others and with diverse professional experience and qualifications;
Established proficiency in position-related office technologies such as Microsoft Office Suite programs;
Significant conflict resolution skills;
Highly effective critical thinking/decision making/complex problem solving skills;
Strongly effectual organizing, planning, and prioritizing skills;
Keen ability to multi-task and demonstrate flexibility;
Exceptional ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals in a diversity of roles and the ability to work with them diplomatically and effectively;
Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills;
Ability to write clear and accurate reports;
Strong interview and interrogation skills.
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;

Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;
Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.

Preferred Qualifications: (Candidates may receive higher ratings for possessing the preferred qualifications criteria.)The preferred candidate will have demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the following:

K9 drug experience;
Gang related investigations;
Intelligence gathering or Intelligence led policing;
Conducting multi-agency investigations;
Writing and executing warrants;
Conducting drug related investigations;
Institutional/Detentions investigations;
Conducting Professional Standards or Internal Affairs Investigations.

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, 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.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including language models, to create, write, or alter any portion of responses throughout any step of the assessment process may result in the disqualification of an applicant.

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 promotion 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 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 (Download PDF reader). 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
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 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

Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Should applicant’s background reveal criminal charges, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide the Department of Corrections with written/official disposition of any charges.

The CDOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. Employees (see exception below) may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana. A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass. Random drug screening will occur throughout employment.

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.

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

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 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: 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 or if you have questions about this job announcement, please contact David Mixer at david.mixer@state.co.us.

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 doc_employeerelations@state.co.us or call 719-728-0270.

ALL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE TOBACCO FREE.

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PROTECTED CLASSES TO APPLY.

Colorado Department of Corrections

ABOUT_COMPANY

CDOC - Criminal Investigator IV (Statewide)