Colorado
Youth Services Specialist I - Rocky Mountain Youth Services Center
Colorado, Lakewood, Colorado, United States
Physical Location
Rocky Mountain Youth Services Center 7862 West Mansfield Parkway Lakewood, CO 80235
About Division of Youth Services
The mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) is to protect, restore and improve public safety utilizing a continuum of care that provides effective supervision, promotes accountability to victims and communities, and helps youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development. The strategic goal of DYS is to operate healthy trauma‑responsive organizational environments as demonstrated through prosocial, safe, and non‑violent interactions.
DYS provides a continuum of services that encompass juvenile detention, assessment, commitment and parole. It is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates 15 secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre‑adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. For pre‑adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum; a State‑funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State.
Explore the DYS website for more information: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys
Commitment to Diversity
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Recruitment Information
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies (full‑time and part‑time). Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package. Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details.
Shifts
Back‑End swing shift (BES): Wednesday, 12 pm–10 pm; Thursday and Friday, 1 pm–10 pm; Saturday, 10 am–10 pm. Front‑End swing shift (FES): Sunday, 10 am–10 pm; Monday, 1 pm–8 pm; Tuesday, 1 pm–10 pm; Wednesday, 12 pm–10 pm. Front‑End overnight shift (FEON): Monday–Thursday, 10 pm–8:30 am.
These working arrangements are subject to change.
Job Description
We want to hire you if you have a passion for youth, a desire to improve your community, enjoy learning new skills and teaching them, and thrive on developing healthy relationships, professionalism, and teamwork.
About the Position
The position is a direct care/essential role that provides direct and engaging supervision of youth in DYS State‑Operated Secure Facilities. Key areas of responsibility include Safety/Security, Youth Center Programming, Documentation/Recording and Reporting, Training, and Organizational Accountability. Positions may require overtime on a rotating basis.
Duties (not exhaustive)
Safety/Security:
Direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre‑adjudicated youth. Enforce behavioral management plans, supervise daily activities, intervene in crisis situations, de‑escalate, apply physical restraint if necessary, conduct incident debriefs, and perform searches. Youth Center Programming:
Implement the Youth Center’s behavioral management program, coach and redirect youth, support DYS initiatives and crisis intervention strategies. Documentation/Recording and Reporting:
Record observations of youth behavior, log unit activities, and maintain required database systems. Organizational Accountability:
Demonstrate respectful culture, adhere to CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS compliance standards, and CDHS/DYS policies. Promote trauma‑responsive environment through healthy relationships. Training:
Complete DYS Pre‑Service Training Academy, Youth Center training, orientation, and ongoing online training. Travel may be required.
Additional Duties
Other duties as assigned, including providing documentation for credit. Documentation must be uploaded promptly; no exceptions to deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED. No substitutions. Positions are physically demanding; applicants must be able to be on their feet, climb stairs, and physically intervene with assaultive youth.
Preferred Qualifications
College education in behavioral health or juvenile justice. Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth or in a behavioral health setting. Experience facilitating psycho‑educational groups; working with adolescents who have trauma. Experience mentoring and coaching youth. Experience with verbal de‑escalation and motivational techniques. Relevant state service years.
Highly Desirable Competencies
Conflict management skills. Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability. Sound judgment and decision‑making. Self‑control and composure under stress. Clear verbal communication skills. Ability to identify and act on safety hazards. Ability to document events clearly, concisely, and legibly.
Work Environment
Shift work, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may be 8, 10, or 12 hours. Mandatory overtime may be required. Day shift often unavailable. Report to work during inclement weather if required.
Conditions of Employment
Background check: CDHS employee check, fingerprint, court database, fraud, medical, reference, license, drug screen, PREA, Trails, CAPS. Minimum age 21, no felony convictions or domestic violence history. Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license required. Shift work subject to assignment. Travel requirements: transportation of youth, training, alternate sites. Continuing employment contingent on completion of DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program, and annual mandatory training. State‑mandated vaccinations required. Disciplinary history must be disclosed and explained; failure may disqualify. All applicants must complete the Diana Screening tool.
Appeal Rights
If eliminated, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. Submit form within 10 calendar days by email, mail, hand delivery, or fax to the address provided on the official appeals page. For more details, see the State Personnel Board website.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the official Colorado State Jobs portal.
Assessment Process
Complete required assessments; potential testing may be required.
Recruiter Contact
For additional recruiting questions, contact araceli.diaz@state.co.us.
About Us
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) offers a career that improves safety, independence, and well‑being for Colorado residents. Benefits include competitive retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, health savings accounts, life insurance, disability, 11 paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, employee wellness programs, remote work arrangements where eligible, and potential for Public Service Loan Forgiveness participation.
Values
People‑first approach, work‑life balance, accountability, transparency, ethics, collaboration, and diversity.
ADA Accommodations
CDHS assists individuals with reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. Contact ADA Coordinator Nancy Schmelzer at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1‑800‑929‑0791.
Equal Opportunity Employer
THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
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Rocky Mountain Youth Services Center 7862 West Mansfield Parkway Lakewood, CO 80235
About Division of Youth Services
The mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) is to protect, restore and improve public safety utilizing a continuum of care that provides effective supervision, promotes accountability to victims and communities, and helps youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development. The strategic goal of DYS is to operate healthy trauma‑responsive organizational environments as demonstrated through prosocial, safe, and non‑violent interactions.
DYS provides a continuum of services that encompass juvenile detention, assessment, commitment and parole. It is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates 15 secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre‑adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. For pre‑adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum; a State‑funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State.
Explore the DYS website for more information: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys
Commitment to Diversity
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Recruitment Information
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies (full‑time and part‑time). Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package. Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details.
Shifts
Back‑End swing shift (BES): Wednesday, 12 pm–10 pm; Thursday and Friday, 1 pm–10 pm; Saturday, 10 am–10 pm. Front‑End swing shift (FES): Sunday, 10 am–10 pm; Monday, 1 pm–8 pm; Tuesday, 1 pm–10 pm; Wednesday, 12 pm–10 pm. Front‑End overnight shift (FEON): Monday–Thursday, 10 pm–8:30 am.
These working arrangements are subject to change.
Job Description
We want to hire you if you have a passion for youth, a desire to improve your community, enjoy learning new skills and teaching them, and thrive on developing healthy relationships, professionalism, and teamwork.
About the Position
The position is a direct care/essential role that provides direct and engaging supervision of youth in DYS State‑Operated Secure Facilities. Key areas of responsibility include Safety/Security, Youth Center Programming, Documentation/Recording and Reporting, Training, and Organizational Accountability. Positions may require overtime on a rotating basis.
Duties (not exhaustive)
Safety/Security:
Direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre‑adjudicated youth. Enforce behavioral management plans, supervise daily activities, intervene in crisis situations, de‑escalate, apply physical restraint if necessary, conduct incident debriefs, and perform searches. Youth Center Programming:
Implement the Youth Center’s behavioral management program, coach and redirect youth, support DYS initiatives and crisis intervention strategies. Documentation/Recording and Reporting:
Record observations of youth behavior, log unit activities, and maintain required database systems. Organizational Accountability:
Demonstrate respectful culture, adhere to CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS compliance standards, and CDHS/DYS policies. Promote trauma‑responsive environment through healthy relationships. Training:
Complete DYS Pre‑Service Training Academy, Youth Center training, orientation, and ongoing online training. Travel may be required.
Additional Duties
Other duties as assigned, including providing documentation for credit. Documentation must be uploaded promptly; no exceptions to deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED. No substitutions. Positions are physically demanding; applicants must be able to be on their feet, climb stairs, and physically intervene with assaultive youth.
Preferred Qualifications
College education in behavioral health or juvenile justice. Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth or in a behavioral health setting. Experience facilitating psycho‑educational groups; working with adolescents who have trauma. Experience mentoring and coaching youth. Experience with verbal de‑escalation and motivational techniques. Relevant state service years.
Highly Desirable Competencies
Conflict management skills. Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability. Sound judgment and decision‑making. Self‑control and composure under stress. Clear verbal communication skills. Ability to identify and act on safety hazards. Ability to document events clearly, concisely, and legibly.
Work Environment
Shift work, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may be 8, 10, or 12 hours. Mandatory overtime may be required. Day shift often unavailable. Report to work during inclement weather if required.
Conditions of Employment
Background check: CDHS employee check, fingerprint, court database, fraud, medical, reference, license, drug screen, PREA, Trails, CAPS. Minimum age 21, no felony convictions or domestic violence history. Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license required. Shift work subject to assignment. Travel requirements: transportation of youth, training, alternate sites. Continuing employment contingent on completion of DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program, and annual mandatory training. State‑mandated vaccinations required. Disciplinary history must be disclosed and explained; failure may disqualify. All applicants must complete the Diana Screening tool.
Appeal Rights
If eliminated, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. Submit form within 10 calendar days by email, mail, hand delivery, or fax to the address provided on the official appeals page. For more details, see the State Personnel Board website.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the official Colorado State Jobs portal.
Assessment Process
Complete required assessments; potential testing may be required.
Recruiter Contact
For additional recruiting questions, contact araceli.diaz@state.co.us.
About Us
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) offers a career that improves safety, independence, and well‑being for Colorado residents. Benefits include competitive retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, health savings accounts, life insurance, disability, 11 paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, employee wellness programs, remote work arrangements where eligible, and potential for Public Service Loan Forgiveness participation.
Values
People‑first approach, work‑life balance, accountability, transparency, ethics, collaboration, and diversity.
ADA Accommodations
CDHS assists individuals with reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. Contact ADA Coordinator Nancy Schmelzer at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1‑800‑929‑0791.
Equal Opportunity Employer
THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
#J-18808-Ljbffr