Correctional Youth Security Officer III - Mount View Youth Services Center

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open only to Colorado state residents. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State. For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State-funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State. This position exists as a first-line formal supervisory position dedicated to overseeing or providing supervision for direct care Youth Services Specialists. This is accomplished through the supervision of subordinate series FTE and/or through direct provision of the service. Routinely manages: scheduling of staff, movement of juveniles, oversees admissions/releases, orientation (for both staff and youth), security/control functions, educational support services, daily programming, recreation, meals, medical referral and follow-up, and customer service. Responsible to identify, report, document and intervene in subordinate staff performance concerns, when necessary. Responsible to model, uphold and ensure compliance with DYS (Division of Youth Services) Policy and QAYS DYS Compliance Standards by subordinate staff. Member of Youth Center Leadership Team responsible for integrating goals and principles of trauma responsiveness/Sanctuary Model, DYS Strategic Plan, and other programmatic initiatives of the Division.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position
Ability to work effectively with key stakeholders, achieving consensus, resolving communication problems, influencing, and managing competing interests.
Ability to work well with constituents regardless of position and authority, contribute to governing boards and committees, and adhere to clear lines of responsibility and accountability.
Flexibility in leadership through performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial, or administrative management, policy, and program issues.
Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment.
Proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and public speaking skills.
Ability to problem solve and execute decisions.
Ability to work in a complex political environment.
Self-motivated
Positive role model
Teamwork
Full Background. CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).
Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License
Shift Work - subject to assigned Shift
Transportation of youth in state vehicles travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites.
Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.

Nice To Haves

Experience in program and/or project development
Training and Facilitation experience
Training Development experience
Supervisory/management experience
Proven experience in overseeing and executing data-driven performance management and outcome-based systems and initiatives.
Previous experience working with a complex juvenile/high risk youth population.
Proven experience in policy analysis, development, and implementation.
Relevant years of state service experience.
Lived experience comes from the personal knowledge and understanding that many possess by virtue of first-hand experience with mental health, substance abuse, systems involvement and traumatic events. Lived experience brings unique knowledge, insights and perspectives that are invaluable for organizational growth, increased sensitivity to the youth and families we serve, and new ideas and inspiration for improving service delivery.

Responsibilities

Must display knowledge and skill in supervision of subordinate staff whose work involves providing for the safe, secure and trauma responsive direct care of pre-adjudicated and adjudicated youth in a locked setting.
Must teach, lead, inform, monitor, and coach subordinate staff as they complete necessary (daily) assigned tasks.
Must ensure timeliness and quality of work activity by subordinates.
Supervises subordinate positions by verbal or written directives, documents and/or records performance concerns, and applies the Reflective Supervision model in monthly individual meetings with employees.
Must understand programming intent and structure and be able to supervise to these expectations.
Oversight and quality control of intake and/or release of youth.
Provides support, feedback, coaching and training of employees working the shift, including sharing supervisory information in a manner that reflects the Sanctuary 7 Commitments.
Completes performance management evaluations (PMPs), Position Descriptions and other required personnel documentation consistent with CDHS and DYS Policy with guidance from Facility Administration.
Participates in the hiring process and assists with staff retention through attentive and responsive onboarding, orientation, Reflective Supervision, and quality delivery of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program.
Reviews, updates and suggests procedural, scheduling and/or other operational changes.
Plan, support and direct professional development of staff.
Trains staff on relevant policies and procedures.
Ensures subordinate staff completes all required annual training and ongoing professional development training (as available).
Resolves informal staff grievances.
Provide formal/informal performance feedback.
Initiate progressive discipline, in accordance with Personnel Board Rules, CDHS Policy, and DYS Policy, with Appointing Authority Approval.
Assigns duties to staff within their job classification.
Provides direct supervision of YSS I and YSS II staff.
Conducts monthly formal Reflective Supervision sessions with subordinate staff.
Provides supervision, coaching, and mentoring to direct care staff, including recognizing staff strengths as well as identifying and assisting staff in areas of performance improvement.
Supervises and leads staff in a professional manner.
Supervise and oversee daily facility operations and/or departments as assigned.
Provides verbal and written instructions and directives regarding daily operations.
Ensure completion of formal and informal counts throughout the shift, as per DYC Policy.
Evaluates incidents, provides information to minimize assaultive behaviors by action planning and communicating pertinent information to all necessary parties.
Monitors the location, movement, safety and condition of youth.
Demonstrates effective crisis intervention as necessary.
Required to respond to and assess possible crisis situations taking into consideration the physical and mental well being of all youth and staff.
Ensures debriefs of crises or emergency situations occur within the required timeframes.
Employs sound judgement and emotional control when dealing with crisis and determining approach and/or resolution.
Utilizes the Emergency Response Protocols.
Conducts tests and drills to increase efficiencies in accordance with the Emergency Response Guide and Fire Safety Protocols (e.g. Fire Drills, Medical Emergencies, Equipment Failure, Pandemic, and Facility Disruptions).
Ensures physical plant, sanitation, and hygiene standards are met, through weekly inspections, work orders, and ongoing monitoring.
Ensure adherence to DYS Policy 9.8, in regards to Critical Incidents.
Assists and oversees Shift Supervision duties.
Ensures staff are assigned to appropriate post assignments, according to facility staffing plan and minimum staff to youth ratios.
Ensures staff are properly positioned and available to intervene early in behavior outside of DYS Behavior Expectations and to respond to crises.
Ensures staff actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills, and a strength based approach when interacting with youth and staff in a positive and respectful manner.
Authorizes and oversees the use and removal of mechanical restraints and Seclusion.
Participates in, oversees, and monitors student Individual Growth and Change Plans or other agreed upon Safety and Behavioral Agreements.
Provides direct security coverage when necessary or as directed.
Ensures staff complete inspections and/or facility searches as per DYS Policy and Quality Assurance Standards for Facilities.
Reports and records all discrepancies to Administration.
Ensures the initiation and implementation of safety contracts, safety planning and notification to mental health personnel.
Actively supervises to support prevention of sexual contact in the facility and promote adherence to all PREA Policies and Federal Standards.
This includes proper SAB/VV/VAB risk assessment or reassessment
Responsible to supervise and maintain youth center programming.
Ensures all program activities are completed and documented.
Leads and role models the consistent implementation of trauma responsive tools and interventions, the DYS Strategic Plan, and the DYS Treatment Model.
Actively and with positive engagement implements and follows facility programming.
Models, supervises, teaches, trains, coaches, and enforces proper implementation of the facility’s behavior management program in a positive and professional manner.
Leads and trains staff in how to facilitate daily Problem Solving Groups, Sanctuary Psycho-educational Groups, and other skills-based/educational groups.
Provides on the floor, in the moment coaching of staff in Safe Correctional Practices, Trauma Informed Care, and how to establish and build 1:1 rapport.
Enforces established safety and security rules and adherence to DYS Safe Practices.
Supervises and directs daily living and leisure activities.
Ensures youth receive orientation to the agency and living unit rules, procedures and routines.
Ensures all basic rights and needs of youth are satisfied and that dignity and respect is demonstrated for all youth regardless of ethnicity, gender, religious or sexual preference.
Reviews Minor Rule Violations and approves proper interventions.
Ensures youth complete assigned interventions.
Ensures Minor and Major Rule Violations coincide with prevailing DYS Policy.
Conducts Major Rule Violation Hearings and provides constructive feedback to staff writing incident reports.
Upholds due process requirements and implementation of Restorative Community Justice (RCJ) and interventions for all youth.
Responds to and resolves youth grievances.
Act as first public contact with agency when necessary.
Act as Facility Supervisor, guiding all operations when Director and Assistant Director are off-site.
Monitor safety and security of volunteer/contractor activities and vocational programming.
Ensure positive relationships with teachers and administrators and support educational initiatives or practices.
Supervises and oversees accurate documentation of all daily facility operations, to include assisting in reviewing, writing, training and implementation of DYS Policies and QAYS Facility Standards.
Ensures completion of documentation for facility and youth searches.
Ensures completion of documentation for all unit activities and relevant information on applicable log(s).
Ensures proper documentation of Suicide Precaution Monitoring (SPM), Individual and Group Growth and Change Plans, NDR status, Seclusion, and Medical Watch, as per DYS Policy.
All staff must report known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to the prevailing statute.
Review and record all legal documentation and record required information in the youth’s file (hard copy) and the TRAILS database.
Documents the receipt and release of all youth medication(s) as appropriate.
This documentation shall include the notification of all internal and external parties.
Perform shift briefings with oncoming staff as required.
Reviews and ensures all meal tracking sheets are completed accurately.
Completes all documentation as required and/or directed by established deadlines.
Attends training classes for all DYS mandatory training subjects and professional development training (as available/ required) to accumulate annual hours necessary as described in Policy.
Attends other training as requested or required by the Administration.
Completes Department mandatory quarterly training as assigned through the Cornerstone online system.
Through all communications and behaviors demonstrates, supports, and contributes to a healthy, positive and respectful cultural climate throughout the facility.
Communicates with internal/external customers, residents, subordinate staff, and co-workers in a professional manner.
Adheres to the CDHS Code of Conduct, the Sanctuary 7 Commitments, and supports the 5 Key Strategies.
Be informed of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DYS Policy, and QAYS Facility Standards.
Adheres to State Personnel Board Rules, and CDHS and DYS Policy regarding work schedule, timekeeping, and leave practices.
Completes other duties as assigned and follows supervisors requests and directives, within Colorado Revised Statutes, CDHS and DYS Policies and Procedures.
As a Supervisor, this position is required to role-model, coach, teach and enforce staff adherence to all the above.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a 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
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.