Youth Services Specialist - Zebulon Pike YSC - Colorado Springs

Description of Job

We are seeking a dedicated professional to serve as a Direct Care/Essential Staff Member at the Zebulon Pike Youth Service Center, located at 1427 W. Rio Grand St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905. The Division of Youth Services (DYS) protects, restores, and improves public safety by providing effective supervision and positive youth development in secure facilities.

• Safety/Security: Provide direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre‑adjudicated youth. Enforce behavioral management plans, conduct crisis interventions, and perform searches and debriefings of incidents.
• Youth Center Programming: Implement the Youth Center’s behavioral management program, coach and redirect youth, and support DYS initiatives related to programming and crisis intervention.
• Documentation/Recording and Reporting: Maintain accurate logs, records, and database entries of youth behavior, unit activities, and group sessions.
• Organizational Accountability: Demonstrate a trauma‑responsive environment and adhere to DYS values, the CDHS Code of Conduct, and all applicable policies.
• Training: Complete DYS Pre‑Service Training Academy, Youth Center training, orientation, required online trainings, and ongoing professional development.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Perform additional responsibilities as determined by supervisory staff.

Shift work including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may last 8, 10, or 12 hours. Overtime may be required. The position is located in a secure facility; employees must work on multiple levels and be physically able to intervene with assaultive youth.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Legal requirement to be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
• Eligibility for background checks: CBI, ICON, Medicare fraud database, reference checks, drug screen, PREA, Trails, CAPS, MVR.
• No felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
• Minimum age of 21 years.

• College education in behavioral health, juvenile justice, or related field.
• Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth in a secure or behavioral health setting.
• Experience facilitating psycho educational groups or mentoring youth.
• Skill in verbal de‑escalation and motivational techniques.
• Relevant state service experience.

• Conflict management and strong work ethic.
• Sound judgment, decision‑making, and self‑control.
• Clear verbal communication and respectful interaction.
• Ability to identify and respond to hazards and security breaches.
• Accurate written reporting skills.

• Retirement benefits: PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) supplementation.
• Paid life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability.
• 11 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• State of Colorado Employee Benefit Hub Resource Center.
• Employee wellness program and flexible work‑life programs.
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
• Potential qualification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities and provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.