Division of Youth Services Director – Central Region Office

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

Please Note: This position has hybrid work arrangements, employees are expected to report to the office at least 2 days a week. These arrangements are subject to change. 

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

About this Position:
Future-focused program planning with operational oversight of teams and committees defining, refining, developing, and establishing the evolution of the Division of Youth Services and the programs and services provided by and to youth in the legal and physical custody of the Division. Determines the long-term strategic mix of services provided by assigned FTEs. Develops and negotiates contract services to augment and compliment the contributions of permanent staff, and to satisfy the mandates of the General Assembly. Engages in decision making and planning as a member of the Division’s Leadership Team. Ensures consistent statewide practices in the Client Management and Parole systems. Reviews and refines organizational goals and outcomes. Develops and implements the planning and oversight of broad organizational change initiatives. Keeps apprised of the latest research and best practice in the fields of juvenile justice and community collaboration. Provides leadership to the Division in the implementation and ongoing use of the Sanctuary Model tools and the seven commitments. Supports a trauma-responsive environment.

Organizes and directs the Central Region needs assessment for residential and non-residential services. Analysis of DYS caseload to project current and future needs. Complete trend analyses of existing permanent and contract services. Strategically develop need based Requests For Proposals (RFPs) of services, to ensure that services are established when needed. Develop intervention strategies with Program Managers to correct, modify, or terminate contracts for services as a result of DYS monitoring and analysis. Develop and implement a training program to enhance employees’ productivity and longevity. Management of regional operating funds and other allocated resources, e.g., assigned state vehicles; technology resources; and oversight of office spaces. Oversight of Parole Program Services allocated resources for the Purchase of Contract Placement funds. Regional leadership of Divisional change initiatives, e.g., statute changes, regional operating procedures and community initiatives. Direct and monitor the establishment of regional operating procedures consistent with Statewide standards and policy. Direct planning for continuum of care services and oversight of expenditures. Liaison with the appropriate CDHS personnel including but not limited to Accounting, Procurement, Human Resources, and Facilities Management.

Ensures staff’s compliance with parole policies, procedures and audit standards. Regional Leadership of Sanctuary related culture change processes and practices. Modeling the use of Sanctuary Tools, modeling the seven commitments and demonstrating an understanding of trauma-responsive environments.

Participation in community forums to keep the public informed of DYS programs and services. Solicits assistance in obtaining outside services and to assist youth in transition back to the community. Establishes partnerships with local District Attorney’s, Chief Probation Officers, and law enforcement agencies in each of the region’s five judicial districts and eleven counties. Establishes partnerships for training and educational programs for paroled youth. Represents the Division at five Colorado Youth Detention Continuum Juvenile Services Planning Committees (JSPC). Represents the Division on the Statewide Colorado Youth Detention Continuum Advisory Board. Represents the Division as a mandatory partner at the HB 1451 Interagency Oversight Groups (IOGs)-this includes having decision making authority. Establishes rapport and positive connections with public and private community agencies, the juvenile justice system and elected officials. Resolves differences through arbitration and negotiation with community agencies and community services on issues and programs directly related to the DYS mission, vision and strategic plan. This includes negotiations between district courts, facilities, HB 1451 collaboratives and CYDC programs. Serves as the Central Region Public Information Officer for matters that are sensitive or require a statewide perspective to private and civic groups, media, and the legal system.

Oversees 29 FTE and provides direct supervision oversees Youth Services Counselor III's, Youth Service Administrator and one Program Assistant. Serves as a second level supervisor for Youth Services Counselor III's, Client Manager/Parole Officer Supervisors and Administrative Support Staff. Acts in the role of Central Region Appointing Authority and is the final decision maker for all hiring decisions for employees; Hears and responds to Step One PMP disputes; Carries out all other functions of Appointing Authority per State Personnel Board Rule.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Option 1 - Experience:

• Ten (10) years' experience in juvenile justice and/or a secure residential/adolescent program, or in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position two (2) of which must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives. (Anything less than 40 hours per week is considered part-time. Credit is given for part-time work but is calculated by prorating the qualifying experience.) 
  • Please note: This experience must be clearly documented on your application and the supplemental questions must be answered.

OR

Option 2 - Experience & Education:

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience (see above) equal to ten (10) years, two (2) of which must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives.  

Substitutions:

• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of supervisory and administrative experience in a juvenile justice and/or a secure residential/adolescent program.
• Supervision of a complex environment servicing multiple youth populations.
• Juvenile Residential expertise including understanding of the juvenile laws, criminal procedures, Colorado Youth Detention Continuum mandates/functions and SB 286 rules and implementation strategy,
• Programming experience with pre-adjudicated and adjudicated youth including understanding of adolescent development, cognitive behavioral approaches, trauma responsive environments, evidence-based treatment, and the creation of an effective behavior management program and treatment modalities. Gender specific expertise including extensive knowledge of best practices for girls programming in a secure setting,
• Expertise in maintaining oversight of contractors and acting as liaison for contractors.
• Relevant State experience 

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be 21 years old or older
• Travel - This position requires travel to state-wide regional offices as well as attending meetings at different locations. This position will require the ability to be physically present at the various region locations across the state to meet training needs. 
• On-Call Status - Cover critical incident on-call phone service
• Current/Valid and unrestricted US Driver’s License
• Must pass a Full Background check:  CBI name check and fingerprint check ;ICON Colorado court database; Medicare fraud database; Reference checks; Professional License Verification (if applicable); PREA (Division of Youth Services Only); For those with direct contact with children:  Trails check; For those with direct contact with adults at the Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers and Veterans Community Living Centers:  CAPS
• 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.

A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

How to Apply

 The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact amber.holcomb@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

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

 

Our Values:

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.

 

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities. 

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.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

 

Salary : $103,644 - $134,748