What are the responsibilities and job description for the Superintendent – Campus at Lookout Mountain. position at State of Colorado?
Department Information
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Division of Youth Services
2901 Ford St. Golden CO 80401
CDHSCareers
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
Description Of Job
Position Overview
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience must be specifically documented on your application. "See resume" or "see attached" statements in the work experience section will not be accepted in lieu of the official application form.
Experience Only
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & APPEAL RIGHTS:
Ten (10) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
OR
Education And Experience
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to ten (10) years
Preferred Qualifications
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
Link to: How to Apply
Link to: The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact Brennon.Watts@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:
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~
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Division of Youth Services
2901 Ford St. Golden CO 80401
CDHSCareers
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
Description Of Job
Position Overview
- Highest-level Appointing Authority for three youth services centers (Aspire, Summit, and Golden Peak) under the Colorado Division of Youth Services (DYS).
- Manages administration, programs, finance, and personnel for the Campus at Lookout Mountain (CALM) within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).
- Ensures compliance with Colorado statutes, regulations, the Children's Code, CDHS, and DYS policies.
- Leads campus-wide strategic initiatives, including the DYS Behavioral Management Program and DYS Treatment Model.
- Responsible for achieving and maintaining Sanctuary certification across all programs.
- Reports status and progress of CALM youth centers to CDHS and DYS leadership.
- Facilitates and leads a campus Leadership Team to improve youth center operations across multiple functional areas (education, behavioral health, medical, direct care, safety, and security).
- Required participation in DYS Youth Center Director’s Group (YCDG) and DYS Senior Leadership Group (SLG).
- Acts as the third-level supervisor to all employees at the three CALM youth centers.
- Direct supervision of Youth Center Assistant Directors, Director of Shared Services, and Program Assistant II.
- Co-supervises Clinical Team Leads in collaboration with the DYS Behavioral Health Operations Coordinator.
- Appointing Authority for direct reports and subordinate staff, overseeing:
- Performance management, professional development, and corrective actions.
- Compliance with Colorado Code of Regulations, CDHS, and DYS policies.
- Recruiting, hiring, and training efforts in alignment with the Colorado state personnel system.
- Coordination with CDHS Civil Rights Office, Child Protection Ombudsman, and the DYS “View It, Voice It” program regarding employee investigations or complaints.
- Implementation of trauma-responsive workplace initiatives (Safety Plans, Self-Care Plans, and Reflective Supervision Model).
- Oversees all CALM youth center programs, ensuring compliance with evidence-based and trauma-responsive practices.
- Monitors and improves quality control in response to internal reviews, external audits, and regulatory standards.
- Ensures programming aligns with the DYS Treatment Model and includes:
- Education meeting Colorado Department of Education standards.
- Behavioral health services tailored to youth needs.
- Medical evaluation and care per Colorado state requirements.
- Recreation, religious, and developmental services for youth.
- Family engagement and visitation programs.
- Collaboration with DYS Client Managers and Regional Program Managers to facilitate bed management and community transitions.
- Maintains required staffing levels, recruitment, scheduling, and training based on prevailing DYS ratios and standards.
- Develops and manages annual budgets for the three youth centers under CDHS and DYS financial guidelines.
- Approves expenditures and ensures fiscal responsibility in personnel and programmatic operating funds.
- Coordinates with DFM, CDHS Central Office Support Work Units, and Regional Offices to allocate resources effectively.
- Oversees financial planning for vacancy savings, overtime use, and PREA fund allocations.
- Ensures compliance with Colorado procurement processes, including P-Card usage and contractual obligations.
- Ensures safe and secure custody for all youth at CALM youth centers.
- Oversees facility safety architecture, staffing assignments, and youth movement policies.
- Ensures compliance with federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) requirements.
- Leads training and implementation of DYS Safe Practices, emphasizing:
- Verbal de-escalation and crisis management.
- Trauma-informed care strategies (Sanctuary Model, Motivational Interviewing).
- Critical incident debriefing and continuous improvement.
- Serves as the official representative of DYS and CDHS in:
- Legal proceedings and regulatory inquiries.
- External partnerships with the Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman, Guardian ad Litem, Disability Law Center, and law enforcement.
- State and regional juvenile justice planning efforts.
- Leads the Campus Leadership Team, coordinating with state agencies, school districts, and contractors.
- Provides tours, media engagement, and public education on CALM operations under CDHS guidelines.
- Participates in Youth Center Directors’ meetings, DYS Senior Leadership Group, and other CDHS committees.
- Designs and implements internal measurement systems to track and improve safety, security, and program quality.
- Develops and reports key performance indicators for CDHS, DYS leadership, and external stakeholders.
- Uses data to drive process improvements and enhance youth outcomes.
- Performs additional duties as assigned in alignment with CDHS and DYS priorities
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience must be specifically documented on your application. "See resume" or "see attached" statements in the work experience section will not be accepted in lieu of the official application form.
Experience Only
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & APPEAL RIGHTS:
Ten (10) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
OR
Education And Experience
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to ten (10) years
Preferred Qualifications
- 5 years of supervisory and administrative experience in juvenile justice or secure residential settings.
- Experience managing large, complex systems or organizations, including multi-site operations and cross-functional teams.
- Expert knowledge of Colorado juvenile laws, criminal procedures, and SB 286 implementation.
- Direct supervision of Director-level positions, providing leadership, performance oversight, and strategic direction.
- Licensed clinician (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent) with administrative experience, particularly in behavioral health or juvenile justice settings or Master of Public Administration (MPA) or equivalent advanced degree in public administration, criminal justice, social work, or a related field.
- Experience with contractor oversight and agency liaison responsibilities.
- A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges. Additionally, you will be required take and pass a drug screen
- Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
- Possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license
- Travel - Transportation of youth in state vehicles, travel to assigned trainings and/or alternate work sites
- 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.
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
Link to: How to Apply
Link to: The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact Brennon.Watts@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
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~
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support
