Youth Services Specialist - Rocky Mountain Youth Services Center

Overview

This recruitment is for positions in the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services (DYS). This position is open to current Colorado residents only. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies (full time and part time).

Physical

Location:

Rocky Mountain Youth Services Center, 7862 West Mansfield Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80235.

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 operates 15 secure facilities that serve youth ages 10 to 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. We invite you to explore the DYS website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services.

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This recruitment is to fill positions available on the following shifts:

• The Back-End Swing Shift (BES):
  Wednesday 12pm-10pm;
  Thursday and Friday 1pm-10pm;
  Saturday 10am-10pm.
• The Front-End Swing Shift (FES):
  Sunday 10am-10pm;
  Monday 1pm-8pm;
  Tuesday 1pm-10pm;
  Wednesday 12pm-10pm.
• The Front-End Overnight Shift (FEON):
  Monday-Thursday 10pm-8:30am.

Please note:

These working arrangements are subject to change.

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

Duties include:

• Safety/Security: Direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated youth; monitor and enforce behavioral plans; supervise youth and daily activities; crisis intervention; de-escalation; use of physical response in emergencies; debriefing; 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 and all unit activities in logs and databases.
• Organizational Accountability: Demonstrate and promote a healthy cultural climate; adhere to CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS Compliance Review Standards, and policies; contribute to a trauma-responsive environment.
• Training: Complete DYS Pre-Service training, Youth Center training, and orientation; complete online trainings; maintain behavior management strategies; develop problem-solving and relationship-building skills with youth.

Positions may require overtime on a rotating basis based on business needs.

Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED.

Substitutions: None.

These positions are not sedentary. Employees are on their feet during shifts and may need to climb stairs. The ability to physically intervene with assaultive youth may be required.

• College education in a behavioral health or juvenile justice field.
• Experience with adjudicated/detained youth in a secure facility or behavioral health setting.
• Experience facilitating psycho educational groups; experience with trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience in youth leadership roles, mentoring or coaching.
• Experience using verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques.
• Relevant years of state service experience.

• Conflict management; strong work ethic, integrity and dependability.
• Sound judgment, decision making, self-control and ability to manage stress.
• Clear verbal communication and ability to communicate respectfully.
• Ability to identify changes, hazards, or security concerns and communicate them.
• Ability to document events clearly and concisely in writing.