Youth Services Specialist -Gilliam Youth Services Center - Denver

Youth Services Specialist I – Gilliam Youth Services Center – Denver –
Colorado Department of Revenue

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

Gilliam Youth Services Center
2844 North Downing St.
Denver, CO 80205

The mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) is to protect, restore and improve public safety using a continuum of care that provides effective supervision, promotes accountability to victims and communities, and helps youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development.

We want to hire you if:

• You have a passion for youth and a desire to improve your community
• You love learning new skills and teaching them to others
• You desire a job that teaches you what safe supervision is all about – physical, social, psychological, and moral
• You thrive on developing healthy relationships, professionalism, and teamwork

About the position. This is a direct care/essential role that provides direct and engaging supervision of youth in DYS state‑operated secure facilities. Responsibilities 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.

• Provide direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre‑adjudicated youth in a secure setting.
• Supervise youth or group of youth, supervise daily activities, orient new youth, intervene in crisis situations, de‑escalate conflicts, use physical response/restraint when necessary, debrief incidents, and conduct searches.
• Implement and follow the Youth Center’s behavioral management program, teach, coach, and redirect youth.
• Document observations of youth behavior and program responses; record all unit activities in appropriate logs and records systems.
• Demonstrate and support a healthy, respectful cultural climate, adhering to DYS values and policies.
• Complete required training: DYS Pre‑Service Academy, Youth Center training, orientation, and ongoing online training.

Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED.

Other: Must be willing and able to physically intervene with assaultive youth and must have the physical stamina for a non‑sedentary role.

• College education in a behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field.
• Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth in a secure residential facility or behavioral health setting.
• Experience facilitating psycho‑educational groups and working with adolescents who have trauma.
• Experience mentoring and coaching youth in positive leadership roles.
• Experience utilizing verbal de‑escalation and motivational techniques.
• Relevant state service experience.

• Conflict management skills.
• Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability.
• Sound judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Self‑control, composure, and ability to manage stressful situations.
• Clear verbal communication and respectful interaction.
• Ability to identify and act on changes, hazards, or potential security breaches and report them.
• Ability to study information and recount events in a clear, concise, and legible written form.

Employees are required to work shift hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may vary (8, 10, or 12 hours) and may require mandatory overtime. No day shift typically available. Inclement weather may require reporting to work.

• Full background check required: CBI, ICON, Medicare, reference checks, license verification, drug screen, PREA, Trails, CAPS.
• Must be at least 21 years old, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
• Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license required.
• Shift work subject to assignment; travel to training or alternate sites possible.
• Successful completion of the DYS Pre‑Service Training Academy, Field Training Program, and mandatory annual training required for continued employment.
• Vaccinations and health screenings (e.g., flu) mandatory.
• Disclosure required for former state employees who were terminated or resigned: must provide explanation and employee number.
• All applicants will undergo the Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool.

If eliminated from consideration, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of notice.

Application instructions and assessment process details are available on the Colorado Department of Revenue website.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds and abilities to apply.