CDOC Boiler Operator Supervisor Trainee/Correctional Officer I (Buena Vista) Full Time NEW

Department Information

• 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.

Description of Job

The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) has developed the Boiler Operator Supervisor Trainee Program, in order to train interested and qualified individuals in correctional facility boiler operations. This position is classified as a Correctional Officer I.

This trainee position will receive on-the-job training (OJT) in correctional facility boiler operations, while maintaining the safety and security of the assigned correctional facility. This trainee program provides the opportunity to gain relevant work experience toward promotion to a Correctional Support Trades Supervisor (CSTS I) in the Physical Plant’s Boiler Operations.

Upon successful completion of this trainee program, the selected candidate may have the opportunity to advance to a CSTS I position within CDOC, which requires 4 years of boiler operator experience or a combination of 2 years of boiler operator experience and 2 years of correctional experience. Must obtain a Stationary Engineer license or equivalent within four (4) years of obtaining a CSTS I position.

Under the supervision of the Facilities Physical Plant Boiler Operations staff, this position performs ‘hands on’ work alongside inmates and is trained in the following areas:

Ensuring the safety and security of the general public, facility staff and inmates; ensuring safe and efficient boiler operations and supervising and training inmate workers. This position prepares inmates for community reentry by promoting the Colorado Department of Corrections Mission and Vision while adhering to a high level of integrity and commitment.

Safety and Security – position maintains safety and security of facility and work sites; through clear and accurate communication trains and guides inmates in the proper use of controlled items, tools, equipment and chemicals; enforces security procedures by conducting work site searches and monitoring workplace environment and inmate behavior, paying close attention to changes, inappropriate activity or potential problems; initiates verbal reprimands when warranted and, if necessary, physically controls inmates with the proper application of restraints or “use of force” techniques; monitors, supervises and escorts inmates according to policy and limits inmate access to restricted areas; position performs inmate counts and transportation; responds to emergency situations such as fights, fires and escapes according to policy and writes and submits required reporting. Through conscientious observation, clear communications and adherence to agency Administrative Regulations, facility Implementation Adjustments and the Code of Penal Discipline, position promotes a safe and secure environment.

Operations – position ensures the safe, efficient, compliant and cost effective completion of all phases of boiler house operations; conducts regular checks, reads gages, works on water heaters, air handlers, heat exchange pumps and steam traps; ensures complete preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance on boiler and associated peripheral systems and equipment.

This position works closely with other trades such as plumbing, HVAC, electrical and general maintenance and may be required to assist in these areas.

Supervision – position provides supervision of assigned inmate workers; promotes a high level of performance by setting the work standard according to agency mission, vision and values. Participates in the hiring of inmates, trains and instructs inmates in boiler operations and proper use of tools and equipment. Creates schedules, assigns work and conducts job evaluations; monitors hours, posts wages and updates records. Exemplifies a professional workforce that embodies honesty, integrity and ethical behavior. Position provides real life, meaningful work experience to prepare inmates for community reentry.

Compliance/Budget – position ensures compliance with Colorado Boiler Code, International Mechanical Code, American Correctional Association and all applicable policy, regulations and standards; position tracks usage of tools, equipment and parts, expenses and waste in order to remain within allotted budget, uses due diligence to discover likely areas of inefficiencies to reduce waste and prevent theft.

Position may be required to work additional hours or shifts to maintain security.
Position works in close proximity to industrial equipment and in a relatively loud and busy atmosphere.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

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.

Minimum Qualifications:
High School Diploma or a GED certificate.

Conditions of Employment:
Must be 18 years of age. Have no felony convictions or domestic violence history, and possess a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.

Required Competencies:

• Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills and the ability to motivate co-workers and inmates to work cooperatively.
• Proficiency in boiler plant operations
• Knowledge of and ability to perform predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance on the boiler and peripheral systems/equipment.
• Ability to trouble-shoot and ensure uninterrupted service in a high stress, security driven environment with mandatory reporting/logging guidelines.
• Knowledge of and ability to adhere to local, state and federal regulations and guidelines to maintain compliant operations.
• Strong desire to work cohesively as a team
• Ability to effectively supervise inmates and prepare them for successful community re-entry
• Strong desire to ensure organization and the timely, systematic completion of repairs and maintenance.
• Willingness and ability to maintain a safe and secure work environment and respond to emergency situations
• Ability to pay special attention to details and determination to use state resources efficiently
• Ability to perform intermediate keyboarding skills, manipulate electronic computerized programs and communicate via computer based email.
• 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

• Boiler Operator Certification
• Employment experience as a utility plant or boiler operator
• Employment experience installing, repairing, and maintaining HVAC systems with hot water boilers or steam boilers above 15 psi.
• Experience providing supervisory/work lead duties making decisions or recommendations that affect the pay, status, or tenure of subordinate staff or inmates.

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.

• 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 (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

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.

Supplemental Information