Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.

Division of Youth Services - Platte Valley Youth Services Center

About the Division of Youth Services: The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS 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 fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State. For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of 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.

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Description of Job

The Division of Youth Services has supervisory positions in various areas throughout each facility. The overall scope and nature of the work consists of providing oversight and supervision of CYSO I (Correctional Youth Security Officer). This oversight includes personnel supervision, crisis management oversight, and therapeutic direction to staff, as well as quality assurance functions within the specific program, administration designee and role modeling, and support to direct and indirect staff.
Overall Function of the Work Unit
The overall function of the work unit is to enforce established rules and procedures to control the movement in the unit and behavior of youth within the care of the facility. Supervision is documented based on the observation of behaviors and incidents that occur throughout the day. The daily programming, living, and leisure activities are organized and carried out by this position. Occasionally, the intervention of volatile situations is required. Duties also include behavior-based care and treatment.

Lead Worker Duties

• Ensure CYSO I accountability for quality and quantity of work, take corrective measures, and provide coaching, mentoring, and training to CYSO I's
• Documentation of anecdotal performance notes as well as providing input for quarterly, mid-year and closeout evaluations
• Ensure staff compliance with the facility and DYS policies, procedures, and operational practices
• Provide information and instruction in one-to-one crisis intervention counseling for the facility and to youth to avert crisis, including suicide management (documentation and review)
• Conduct and document safety, fire, and health inspections
• Review all logs, shift reports, daily observations, rosters, court paperwork for quality documentation for DYS standards and facility procedures
• Ensure all room checks, medication administration, recreation, room restrictions, and discipline programs are maintained as required by the facility standards and procedures
• Assist CYSO III with timekeeping coordination and KRONOS editing
• Facilitate team meetings in collaboration with CYSO III
• Ensure that youth grievance policy and procedure are followed. Review of grievances to include investigation, follow up and appropriate action

Shift Supervision

• Manages the adherence to daily structured programming and leisure activities
• Review and make changes in work schedule and duty assignments for CYSO I's to ensure adequate coverage for facility programs and facility safety and security
• Document observations and critical incidents that occur in living units using TRAILS
• Monitor movement and behavior of youth
• Direct and respond to crises
• Monitor use of mechanical restraints, per DYS policy
• Assist with or assign staff to complete internal and/or external youth transports
• Recommend if a living unit should be locked down per DYS Policy/Facility Implementing Procedure
• Oversee the cleanup of living units, daily hygiene routine, and laundry needs
• Ensure compliance for youth with special needs and on special management programs
• Ensure adherence to programming
• Participate in facility debriefings of critical incidents when required
• Conduct shift briefings
• Facilitates debrief meetings following physical management incidents and ensures medical staff notification

Direct Care

• Assess and document youth for suicidal, medical, escape risk, special needs, and room restrictions
• Perform restraints, room searches, and perimeter checks
• Escort or transport youth to appointments and activities
• Provide orientation to youth about the facility rules and routines
• Use appropriate physical force when necessary in compliance with PSI (Protective Supports and Interventions)
• Administer medications to youth
• Manage mental health and behavior needs
• Follow programming/daily schedule
• Provides on-site direction in ensuring appropriate school supervision, in conjunction with the CYSO III
• Participate in treatment meetings as necessary, as well as facilitate treatment groups as assigned
• Providing individual mentoring to youth on assigned caseload

Additional Duties May Include:

• Completion of yearly mandatory training requirements
• Participation on committees in the facility and throughout CYSOs
• Functions as the training Coordinator for the facility. Train staff in DYS Policy and Facility Procedures. Set up the training schedule and enter staff training hours into TRAILS
• Functions as the Volunteer Coordinator for the facility. Train volunteers in Policy and Procedure.
• Set up a volunteer schedule and act as a liaison between the volunteers and the facility
• Functions as the Recreation Coordinator for the facility. Develop and implement the recreation schedule for the youth. Oversee the recreation inventory
• Ensures adherence with Trust Fund policies and procedures, guidelines and regulations to include proper spending and accounting of pod allotment funds.
• Other duties as assigned or required

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Current employees: If you do not update the work experience section of your application, you will not be given credit for your current State experience.

• Corrections-related experience is defined as the custody and control of a detained or adjudicated population and/or experience as a POST Certified Officer, or Military Law Enforcement.

Note: Anything less than 40 hours per week is considered part-time experience. Credit is given for part-time work but is calculated by prorating the qualifying experience.

• Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth within a secure facility
• Self-motivated
• Positive role model
• Teamwork
• Experience in program and/or project development
• Trainer certification in staff development
• Supervisory/management experience
• Proven Leadership and Decision Making skills
• Microsoft Office Programs
• College degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice, human services, physical education/recreational studies or closely related field

Conditions of Employment

• Must be 21 years old or older
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado drivers license
• Must have no felony convictions and no violent history
• Willing and able to work shifts (24 hour/7 day a week facility)
• Must pass a Colorado Bureau of Investigations and a Federal Bureau of Investigations background check as a condition of employment. Included in the background check is a current and/or previous employer check. Your current and/or previous employers within the past 10 years at a minimum must be listed on your job application (most recent in descending order), even if the job or duties are unrelated to the position for which you are applying. Incomplete employer information (address, phone number, and supervisor) or omission of former employers may result in a disqualification of your application.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
• Transportation of youth in state vehicles. Travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites.
• Post-hire an annual influenza vaccine is required unless an employee obtains a medical or religious beliefs exception.

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.

Supplemental Information

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org 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
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• 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. For more