Behavioral Health Specialist Assessment (Social Work/Counselor IV), Central Administration Office

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open only to Colorado state residents. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the Central Administration Offices of the Division of Youth Services (DYS). DYS provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services for juveniles committed to the Department of Human Services, including juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities for youth aged 10-21 and contracts with private providers. DYS also oversees the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum for youth at risk of entering the juvenile justice system and administers juvenile parole services. The Assessment unit's purpose is to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for juveniles undergoing comprehensive assessments. Services include administering and interpreting criminogenic, mental health, and substance abuse screening and assessment instruments to make recommendations for treatment and service delivery. This involves identifying criminal risk areas, assessing mental health functioning, determining substance use treatment needs, evaluating needs and strengths, and recommending placement types and service plan goals. Evaluation services are provided through a multidisciplinary team process, incorporating family input and community support, and adhere to best practices set by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute for Correctional Mental Health Care, and the CDHS Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. The position requires working at the assigned work location during scheduled work times, with the possibility of work arrangements changing at any time.

Requirements

Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
Two (2) years of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
Applicants for supervisory positions must have licensure that meets the legal requirements to perform supervisory responsibilities.
Be a minimum of 21 years of age.
No felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background check and reference check required.
State of Colorado residency at the time of application and throughout employment.
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check if driving a state-owned vehicle.
Possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border.
Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.
Successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
Travel to assigned trainings and/or alternate work sites.
The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens.

Nice To Haves

Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

Responsibilities

Provide supervision and oversee the technical and qualitative aspects of Assessment Services for the Western Region at Grand Mesa Youth Services Center (GMYSC) and support other areas across the state.
Train three Assessment Specialists (SWIII) to relevant standards of policy and procedure.
Resolve informal staff grievances.
Create and monitor staff work schedules.
Participate in the progressive disciplinary process.
Provide training as needed.
Investigate and evaluate personnel issues.
Coordinate with the Coordinator of Assessment.
Review and track all assessment reports for accuracy and completion within established deadlines.
Ensure the oversight and application of appropriate, reliable, and accurate assessment practices for consistency across regions.
Review staffing rosters to ensure timely scheduling and completion of paperwork within the required 30-day period.
Collaborate with the Coordinator of Assessment to ensure participation and completion of required training.
Research and coordinate training sessions to promote Assessment Specialist job development.
Work closely with Clinical Directors and the DYS Assessment Services Coordinator to review and update assessment practices.
Conduct clinical interviews, criminogenic risk assessments, drug and alcohol screening and assessments, mental health evaluations, trauma assessment, and neuropsychological screenings.
Administer and interpret the Youth Assessment and Screening Inventory (YASI), Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE), and University of California Los Angeles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI).
Assess areas including current and past delinquent behaviors, mental health presentation, criminogenic need areas, family issues, peer relationships, self-perceptions, use of free time, level of maturity, problem-solving skills, decision-making breadth, drug and alcohol involvement, personal goals, risk factors associated with neuropsychological deficits, and identified skills/competencies.
Conduct family interviews to ascertain individualized family strengths, needs, perspectives, and expressed goals for treatment and DYS stay.
Review relevant collateral data, previous evaluation findings, legal documents, and other commitment information, and incorporate it into the finalized assessment report.
Provide clinical oversight, expertise, quality assurance, and direction regarding evaluation findings.
Uphold the effectiveness, fit, and functionality of currently utilized evaluation instruments.
Provide recommendations for improving statewide Assessment Services practices and policies.
Participate in training topics related to assessment.
Perform other duties as assigned.