What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker Counselor IV - Behavioral Health Lead - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center position at State of Colorado Job Opportunities?
Department Information
The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies .
Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!
Division of Youth Services
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.
We invite you to explore the DYS website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado at: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys
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Description of Job
Summary of Work Unit:
It is the mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) to effectively build skills and competencies of youth to become responsible citizens. The Social Work series and other identified Behavioral Health Specialists employed by the facility are responsible for providing evidenced based and research supported therapeutic intervention services to youth committed and detained with the Division of Youth Services. Behavioral Health Specialists are expected to provide for the therapeutic care of and support opportunities for growth and change for youth and their caregivers, to ensure healthy and successful reintegration back into our communities. This position provides consistent leadership and management around mental health and substance abuse services and behavioral interventions in the facility. These positions maintain and support the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles with transition staff, client management, mental health services, medical, special education, security staff and administration as needed. As a Behavioral Health Specialist within our facility, they are expected to remain current on literature and research in the field, especially as relates to emerging practices with complex mental health populations and behavioral and sensory interventions.
About the Position:
This position exists to provide behavioral health clinical services to committed and detained youth in the facility that experience complex mental health, trauma, substance abuse, aggression, and other related issues. This position also provides oversight for the substance use psychoeducation services and internship / practicum program. Services are provided consistent with DORA requirements and mental health training, services include clinical assessment, service planning, individual, group counseling, record keeping and service coordination with a multi-disciplinary team. This position is designed to provide onsite services and is not approved to provide remote services to youth unless approved by the Director of Behavioral Health and Medical Services (BHMS) or designee.
This position provides direct services to youth, including individual and group services as well as oversight of daily behavioral health services and is responsible to ensure transition planning and continuity of services upon discharge are taking place. This unit understands behaviors of adolescents and can treat the youth from the perspective of lowering the risks and increasing protective factors the youth present with and addressing the relationship between substance abuse issues and behavior. This position is skilled in the use of a strength-based perspective, systems theory, trauma informed care, and behavioral approaches. As a Social Worker/ Counselor IV this position supports and provides oversight for other Behavioral Health Specialists and Clinical Interns by providing enhanced services to complex youth, consulting to provide guidance on behavioral interventions for youth, and provides in the moment coaching to assist in the professional growth of less experienced behavioral health specialists.
Summary of Duties:
Provide Assessment and Treatment
Within the first seven days of a youth’s arrival, this position will thoroughly assess a youth’s mental health needs by reviewing the youth’s main and medical files and making initial and collateral contacts as appropriate.
- Maintains a caseload and will provide oversight of Behavioral Health Specialists assigned to individual youth.
- Conducts individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions using evidence-based treatment theories and curricula.
- Provides counseling in accordance with training and expertise gained through specific training and knowledge of DORA standards and the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health (OCFMH) expectations.
- Therapeutic intervention service needs include substance use, psychoeducation, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, sensory integration, and offense specific services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
- Behavioral health services are relevant to the needs of the youth and the individual needs and protective factors, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual identity issues, to affect behavior change and the reduction of complex co-occurring needs and risk to community and symptoms in the individual and family.
- Treatment is provided using DYS treatment model. Use of behavioral interventions, sensory integration and modalities, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing techniques with youth are used. Interpret treatment issues, needs, expectations, and changes in behavior for residents and families.
- Treatment is provided using strengths-based approach and holistic manner.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward meeting the objectives and goals of the treatment plan. Treatment - incorporates and addresses the youth’s risk, needs and protective factors and how criminal conduct, trauma histories, substance abuse and mental health issues are related. Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication use in treatment and collaborate with primary BHS on assessing needs for medication if appropriate.
- Collaborate with client manager and primary BHS to assist in developing wrap around transition and aftercare services for the youth nearing parole / discharge to support sobriety. Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided, and work with the school Behavioral Health Specialist in ensuring consistent behavior interventions for youth who may be struggling in the school environment. Seek out additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treatment with the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability. Therapeutic interventions are provided in a manner that is consistent with the youth’s ability, taking into account any necessary modification needed as a result of trauma, substance abuse, brain injury and mental health disorders.
- This position supports agency services of individualized services using cognitive behavioral based interventions, sensory modulation, Sanctuary model and Motivational Interviewing.
- Facilitation of daily groups, assessment of progress, barriers to progress, collaboration with multidisciplinary team members, communication of pertinent information to primary BHS, milieu staff and education, and documentation of all case management and therapeutic services in the electronic record system by the end of next business day.
- Documents summary of progress in monthly treatment plans for youth on caseload. Documents all assessments, sessions, court reports, transition plans, community passes and staffing sessions.
Communicates effectively in verbal and written formats, that demonstrates knowledge and expertise in working with juveniles who have substance abuse, mental health and behavioral health issues. Is able to elaborate on needs, protective factors, progress and barriers to progress in a manner that is understandable to all audiences and partners, to include family, client management, education staff, parole boards, private providers, courts, etc. Conducts all mental health services in accordance with DORA and OCFMH standards in order to mitigate risk and improve overall health. Services provided are at an advanced level based on licensing and experience in the substance abuse field, relevant to current research and best practice principles.
Training and/or Supervision
This position supervises programming components which includes the Behavioral Program (level system),
- Chronic Disease Protocol, Substance Use Services, Mental health Services, Motivational Interviewing,
- Trauma Responsive environments, Practicum, and Internship program. In conjunction with the CTL, develops and conducts training for milieu staff and/or BHS.
- This position is responsible for the training and development of interns, this position is an Individual Contributor that is responsible for oversight for mental health services.
- This position also makes recommendations, and evaluates treatment cases based on practice, theory, or principle, and experience at an advanced level confirmed by licensing with oversight from CLT.
- Utilizes a strength-based approach to assisting in professional development and addressing performance concerns.
- This position provides training specific to procedures that have been developed to ensure that policy standards are met and specifically to further develop the team in its competency and in the area of family engagement.
- This position provides consultation to the direct care staff to develop and maintain programming that promotes a trauma informed environment.
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications:
Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as:
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
Two (2) years of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3 to 5 years of experience working with youth in a secure facility
- Trained as as trauma therapist
- Certified Addiction Specialist
- 3 to 5 years facilitating psychoeducation, therapy, substance abuse, and/or SOMB type groups
- Relevant years of state experience
Highly Desired Competencies:
- CAS or LAC to support coaching and oversight of Behavioral Health Specialists working towards CAC credentialing
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Conditions of Employment:
- Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
- Full Background - Name check, TRAILS and Fingerprinting
- Current/Valid and unrestricted US Driver's License
- Transportation of youth in state vehicles, travel to assigned trainings and/or alternate work sites
- 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.
- The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained. At the DYS, the safety and protection of the youth who have been entrusted to us is our #1 priority
- 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
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
Need help with your application? Click here.
For additional recruiting questions, please contact isaac.phelps@state.co.us
About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services(CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
- 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
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS 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 ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
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