Youth Services Specialist - Creek YSC - Colorado Springs

Overview

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies (full time and part time).

Spring Creek Youth Service Center
3190 East Las Vegas St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

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. The Division is statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court. The Division operates 15 secure facilities serving youth aged 10 to 21 who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. We have many opportunities within DYS to positively impact youth and families.

We invite you to explore the DYS website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in Colorado.

We are committed to increasing staff diversity and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities are encouraged.

About the position. This position is a direct care/essential role that provides direct and engaging supervision of youth in DYS State Operated Secure Facilities. Specific duties and expectations include Safety/Security, Youth Center Programming, Documentation/Recording and Reporting, Training, and Organizational Accountability. Positions may require overtime on a rotating basis based on business needs.

• Safety/Security: Provide direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated youth in a secure setting. Monitor and enforce behavioral management plans. Duties include supervision of youth, daily activities, youth orientation, crisis intervention, de-escalation, use of physical response in emergencies, incident debriefing, and conducting searches.
• Youth Center Programming: Implement and follow the center’s behavioral management program, teach, coach, and redirect youth. Support DYS initiatives related to youth programming and crisis intervention.
• Documentation/Recording and Reporting: Document observations of youth behavior and program responses. Record all unit activities in logs and records systems and in appropriate databases.
• Organizational Accountability: Contribute to a healthy, positive cultural climate and adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS Compliance Review Standards, and policies. Promote a trauma-responsive environment.
• Training: Complete DYS Pre-Service training, youth center training, and orientation. Complete required online training and support behavior management strategies. Training focuses on problem-solving, relationship-building with youth, trauma understanding, and safety.
• Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED.

Substitutions: None

Note:

Positions are not sedentary; employees are on their feet during shifts. Physical ability to intervene with assaultive youth is required. Some positions require physical intervention skills and travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• College education in a behavioral health or juvenile justice field.
• Experience with adjudicated/detained youth in secure residential or behavioral health settings.
• Experience facilitating psycho educational groups and working with trauma-exposed youth.
• Experience in youth leadership roles, mentoring, coaching, and de-escalation.
• State service experience.

Highly Desirable Competencies:

• Conflict management, strong work ethic, integrity and dependability, sound judgment, self-control, and the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully.
• Ability to identify changes, hazards, or security…