Correctional Youth Security Officer I - Platte Valley Services Center

State of Colorado•Greeley, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Correctional Youth Security Officer I provides interactive, engaging supervision of adjudicated and pre-adjudicated youth in a secure setting. The role involves coaching, mentoring, and modeling positive social expectations; leading youth in groups, recreation, and structured activities; and supporting treatment and educational plans and goals. Officers actively monitor youth and intervene at the lowest appropriate level to maintain individual and group safety, redirect behavioral concerns, and use verbal or physical interventions when required. Work includes written and computer-based documentation and reporting. The position is based at Platte Valley Youth Services Center in Greeley, Colorado. Staff work assigned 12.5-hour shifts, with listed shift times of 6:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m., 10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m., or 6:00 p.m.–6:30 a.m. Work schedules and arrangements may change. Employees must work at their assigned location during scheduled hours, and transportation of youth in state vehicles and travel to training or alternate work sites are required. New employees must complete the DYS Pre-Service Training Academy, Youth Center training, and orientation. Continued employment is contingent on successful completion of the Pre-Service Academy and Field Training Program, as well as mandatory annual training. The position is open to current Colorado residents, and employees must remain Colorado residents throughout employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
Be at least 21 years of age.
Have no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Be a Colorado resident at application and throughout employment.
Possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver's license.
Successfully complete the DYS Pre-Service Training Academy, Field Training Program, and required annual training.
Complete required background checks, including name and fingerprint checks, Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, reference checks, applicable professional-license verification, drug screen, PREA, Trails, and CAPS checks as applicable.
Undergo the Diana Screen® sexual-risk screening tool assessment.
Work assigned shifts at the designated work location; shift work is required and schedules may change.
Travel to assigned training or alternate work sites and transport youth in state vehicles as required.
Document work experience, qualifications, and responses in the official State of Colorado online application; part-time experience is prorated for qualification screening.

Nice To Haves

Previous state experience.
Experience with youth in a mental health, residential, or related secure setting.
Experience working with high-risk youth and/or adults in community, security, or correctional settings.
Previous military or law enforcement experience.
Experience mentoring, coaching, supervising, or teaching youth or young adults.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated youth in a secure setting.
Monitor, participate in, support, and enforce individual youth behavioral management plans.
Supervise youth and daily activities, including youth orientation.
Intervene in crisis situations using non-escalation and de-escalation practices; use physical response or restraint in emergencies as required.
Debrief incidents and conduct searches.
Implement the Youth Center behavioral management program through positive engagement; teach, coach, redirect, and model prosocial behavior.
Conduct problem-solving, appreciation, pre- and post-activity, psycho-educational, and individualized skill-building groups as needed.
Communicate behavioral expectations, events, rules, and other requirements of the milieu.
Supervise and support community transition and reintegration opportunities for youth.
Establish rapport with youth, address resistance to change, and communicate effectively in stable and unsettled circumstances.
Support restorative community justice principles and activities, and facilitate psychoeducation, skill development, recreation, and other youth groups and activities.
Monitor and objectively record youth behavior, intervene according to program standards, and follow the daily program schedule.
Support treatment and case-plan goals and objectives developed by Behavioral Health and Medical Services staff.
Recognize, implement, monitor, observe, and document Individual Growth and Change Plans (IGCPs); recommend program modifications to supervisory or clinical staff.
Facilitate and monitor cleanup of living units and rooms, inspect the youth center, and distribute linen and clothing to support hygiene.
Help ensure hygienic standards are met and youth use hygiene resources appropriately.
Ensure access to meals; monitor and document meal provision and consumption as required.
Ensure youth have confidential access to grievances, medical services, and behavioral health services as needed or requested.
Distribute youth medications and document distribution as specified by DYS policy.
Respond appropriately to youth needs and concerns, uphold their basic rights, and support access to recreation according to standards, physical condition, and the daily schedule.
Provide assigned orientation to newly admitted youth within 24 hours of admission.
Support educational programming as assigned.
Document youth behavior, responses to programming, unit activities, group activities, and other required information in logs, records, and database systems.
Report known or suspected abuse as a mandatory reporter under state statute.
Ensure required suicide risk assessments are completed within one hour of admission for newly detained, committed, or recommitted youth.
Inventory and record youth property during admission, release, and other access to or changes in the property; document receipt and release of youth medications as appropriate.
Contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful organizational culture and adhere to CDHS and DYS conduct, compliance, and policy requirements.
Complete required pre-service, youth-center, orientation, online, and annual training and support prevailing behavior-management and intervention strategies.
Complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
Medical and dental health plans.
Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account.
Paid life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave.
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center.
Employee Wellness program.
Flexible schedules, training, and other work-life programs.
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.