CTE/Vocational Teacher - State Teacher I - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

State of Colorado • Grand Junction, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) operates fifteen secure facilities serving youth aged 10-21. This position is within a work unit dedicated to educating adjudicated youth in a positive learning environment that fosters high academic expectations, 21st-century skills, vocational and workforce readiness, and individual responsibility for learning, all while maintaining a safe setting. The unit provides special education, general education, and post-secondary education. This role involves providing professional consultation to community programs and DYS facilities, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. The instructor will deliver direct classroom instruction focused on career readiness, including reading, writing, math, science, history, business skills, and technical skills for fields such as Career Technical Education pathways, Graphic Design, Business and Marketing, and Hairstyling/Barbering. The content will align with CDE state standards, prepared graduate outcomes, district initiatives, and Social Emotional Learning topics, delivered in a safe and trauma-informed environment. The instructor must utilize technology for teaching and learning, and apply best practices in pedagogy and prosocial youth development. An active CDE license or meeting substitution requirements is necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
• Current, valid Initial or Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education.
• Must be 21 years old or older.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
• Full Background check (CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License Verification, Drug Screen, PREA, Trails check and DIANA Screener for those with direct contact with children, CAPS for those with direct contact with adults at Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers and Veterans Community Living Centers).
• Must travel to training events and shadowing events in Denver area and other state facilities.
• 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.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose that information on the application and explain why it should not disqualify them, and provide their prior State employee number.

Nice To Haves

• Professional work experience relevant to teaching hands-on skills and/or work readiness.
• Program development experience.
• Experience with programming for post secondary and secondary youth.
• Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth.
• Proficient use of data to inform instructional practice.
• Trauma-Informed practices and knowledge as it applies to at risk populations and classroom instruction.
• Community and work related experience relevant to current job market.
• Relevant years of state service.
• Demonstrated knowledge in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong decision-making skills and follow through.
• Ability to positively and professionally interact with administrators, staff, parents, clients, community members and the judicial system.
• Ability to collaboratively problem solve, ask for and use feedback, and create positive culture and climate.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains an appropriate classroom setting through effective classroom management skills and engagement strategies specific to student needs, including implementation of the PBIS system and behavior tools.
• Assesses new and continuing students using multiple assessment methods and collecting multiple pieces of evidence of learning.
• Prepares unit lesson plans and daily plans aligned with state standards and critical skills, and designs/implements a variety of assessment tools to evaluate student progress.
• Implements a variety of research-based education strategies (including technology) to accommodate multi-age/multi-level students.
• Selects behavior and classroom management techniques within the DYS framework.
• Ensures effective accommodations for special education students and students on special plans, and communicates growth and data for progress monitoring.
• Follows the DYS instructional framework with daily learning objectives and relevant learning with appropriate assessments, meeting the needs of all youth.
• Ensures accurate educational records are maintained in IC and/or Trails, meeting deadlines.
• Uses technology appropriately for designing, uploading information and lessons, taking attendance, and grading work.
• Meets informally and in scheduled meetings with Central Education Office members, principal, treatment providers, and other teachers to review student and school progress.
• Develops comprehensive plans for implementation of subject matter in line with education goals and school development plans.
• Participates in professional and staff safety development and applies learning accordingly.
• Assures appropriate boundaries and effective presentation in the classroom and workplace.
• Uses data effectively with MTSS processes, progress monitoring, educational advocacy, and multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT).
• Conducts monthly reviews of content with the principal.
• Assists in the safety and security of the school and facility by supervising residents, tools, and materials effectively and providing immediate assistance as necessary.
• Consistently knows and follows policy and procedures of the Division of Youth Services and the facility, as well as safety procedures for classrooms and youth.
• Adheres to the trauma-informed culture and expectations.
• Knows and uses Motivational Interviewing, Sanctuary Model, small group processes, and Restorative Justice language and frameworks.
• Follows expectations for Incident Reports (IRs).
• Adheres to Code of Conduct and professional norms of behavior.
• Follows leave policy and procedures.

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
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility for some positions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level