Residential Milieu Specialist

About Our Job

Working for the City and County of Denver means more than just having a job - it's about building a meaningful career rooted in purpose, service, and community impact. With competitive pay, outstanding benefits, and ongoing opportunities for growth - you would be part of a diverse and talented team of over 11,000 individuals who are the heart of what makes Denver thrive.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The targeting hiring range for this position is $23.33/hr-$35.00/hr. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but is not limited to:

• Four (4) Medical Plans, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Pension Plan for Life (Employee contributes 8.45%, Employer matches at 17.95%) and 457 (b) Retirement Plan
• PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year) and 12 paid holidays
• STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, Life Insurance
• CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program, Employee Volunteer Program
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $2000/year), We Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources
• EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)

The Department of Safety, Community Corrections Division is seeking a Re-entry Milieu Specialist to join our dedicated and enthusiastic team. If you are interested in a role that utilizes evidence-based behavior changes practices and gender-responsive and trauma informed approaches to the re-entry setting, we would love to hear from you

You may be assigned to any of the following:

• The IMPACT (The Intentional Men Practicing Accountability, Compassion and Trust) Center - 10500 E. Smith Road
• MOORE ( Men Overcoming Obstacles Reentry) Center - 570 W 44th Ave
• Project: Elevate - 4280 Kearney Street

The IMPACT Center (Intentional Men Practicing Accountability, Compassion, and Trust) represents a new vision for community corrections and reentry in Denver. Serving up to 48 residential participants along with a non-residential population, the IMPACT Center provides an evidence-based, trauma-informed alternative to incarceration. It supports men who face challenges succeeding under probation supervision, as well as those transitioning safely from prison back into the community.

The MOORE Center (Men Overcoming Obstacles Reentry Center) is a collaborative initiative between the City and County of Denver and the Second Chance Center. This innovative, research-based program is both gender-responsive and trauma-informed, designed to support justice-involved men as they successfully reintegrate into the community. The MOORE Center provides a structured, supportive environment for men who are either directly sentenced to community corrections by the courts or are transitioning from the Colorado Department of Corrections. The program empowers participants to overcome barriers and thrive as they return to their home communities in Denver.

Project: Elevate is a unique reentry experience for women returning to the Denver community after incarceration in the Department of Corrections and for women directly sentenced to the program. Project: Elevate recognizes that women enter the criminal justice system differently than men. They often have prior or current experiences of abuse, mental illness, substance use, economic and social marginality, homelessness, and complex relationships. Project: Elevate provides a reentry experience that is anchored in gender responsive, trauma informed, holistic, and safe practices.

Interested applicants must be available to work both traditional and non-traditional shifts to support a 24/7/365 operation. Shift availability includes:

• Day Shift: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Swing Shift: 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
• Overnight Shift: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM

Job responsibilities include:

• Conduct routine headcounts and facility walk-throughs to ensure accountability and safety
• Perform thorough searches of participants, their property, and facility spaces in accordance with policy
• Monitor the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of participants and share observations with supervisors and care management teams
• Supervise participant sign-in and sign-out processes to track authorized movement
• Administer substance use monitoring, including urine drug screenings, with professionalism and accuracy
• Monitor and document participant medication usage in line with established procedures
• Respond appropriately to rule violations, following structured behavioral protocols
• Apply techniques of behavior change and motivational enhancement to support positive participant outcomes
• Utilize evidence-based practices, such as core correctional practices and behavioral interventions, to encourage rehabilitation
• Engage with participants using gender-responsive and trauma-informed approaches
• Work varied shifts to support 24/7/365 facility operations, including coverage for sister sites when needed
• Provide first aid and respond to emergency situations as required

Successful candidates must complete a background investigation that encompasses the applicant's employment and criminal history. We value diverse experiences, prior contact with the criminal legal system is not exclusionary for most applicants. Candidates cannot not be under current criminal justice supervision.

About You

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Bilingual in Spanish and English (not a requirement)
• Have experience working in a related field
• Skilled use of software and business application including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Commitment to working collaboratively within a team to ensure timely completion of work.
• Motivation to work with participants in a gender responsive, trauma informed manner and ability to demonstrate a healthy working alliance with participants to assist them with behavior change and risk reduction

Below are the minimum requirements used to determine eligibility for this position:

• Education Requirement: Minimum of two years of higher education, with a Bachelor's Degree preferred, or any combination of education, training or experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.
• Experience Requirement: Experience in a directly related field or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities preferred.
• Education and Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of posthigh school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• Licensure & Certification: Ability to attain, or possession of Adult CPR, AED, Naloxone, and First Aid certifications after date of hire. Maintain continuing education hours annually or as required. Possession of a valid Drivers License by date of hire. By position, possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Commercial Driver's License with passenger endorsement required. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

About Everything Else

Job Profile
CN3354 Correctional Services Specialist I
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type
Unlimited

Position Salary Range
$23.33 - $35.00

Target Pay
$24.00 - $29.00 per hour

Agency
Department of Safety

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days' notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.

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