Special Education, State Teacher I - Campus at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center

State of Colorado•Golden, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Division of Youth Services (DYS), which provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services for youth in the juvenile justice system. DYS operates fifteen secure facilities for youth aged 10-21 and contracts with service providers statewide. This role focuses on providing academic, vocational, and education-related services to youth in institutional facilities, with a specific emphasis on classroom instruction for youth in special education. Subjects may include Language Arts, Math, and Social Emotional Learning standards, delivered in a safe and trauma-informed environment. The teacher is responsible for staying current with state standards, special education law, technology instruction, and best practices in teaching and learning.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
Current, valid Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education with an endorsement in Special Education.
Must be 21 years old or older.
Full background check and reference check required.
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
Able to pass Escape and Evade training.
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.
The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants.
Must be a current Colorado state resident.

Nice To Haves

Dual endorsements or documentation or ability to be endorsed in multiple content areas.
Licensure aligned to position.
Experience with special needs populations: youth with IEPs, 504s, Multilingual backgrounds.
Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth.
Proficient use of data to inform instructional practices.
Leadership roles and experience.
Secondary school experience.
Trauma-Informed practices and knowledge as it applies to at risk populations and classroom instruction.
Experience with differentiated instruction; developing lessons/curriculum and providing differentiated instruction.
Project-based learning experience.
Previous State Experience.

Responsibilities

Establishes and maintains an appropriate classroom setting using effective classroom management skills and engagement strategies tailored to student needs, including progressive discipline, skills, and interventions for behavior and academics.
Assesses new and continuing students using multiple assessment methods and collecting evidence of learning, including progress monitoring and standards-based education with appropriate rigor.
Prepares daily and unit lesson plans aligned with state standards, DYS power standards, and critical skills or CCSS content standards, documenting and submitting them digitally.
Implements a variety of research-based education strategies, including technology, to accommodate multi-age/multi-level students, incorporating project-based learning and skills-oriented focus.
Ensures the DYS instructional framework is followed with daily learning objectives and relevant learning scaffolded to meet all youth needs, including implementing interventions, IEP accommodations/modifications, IGCP goals, and behavioral plans with fidelity.
Utilizes personally designed or prescribed curriculum.
Ensures educational records are maintained in IC and/or Trails, meeting deadlines for daily attendance and weekly grades.
Selects behavior and classroom management techniques within the DYS framework.
Ensures effective accommodations are followed for special education students and communicates growth and data for progress monitoring.
Provides ongoing data and feedback to the Special Education Coordinator regarding student needs, IEP goals/objectives, and MTSS strategies.
Determines the complexity and standards for classroom instruction based on individual student needs and priorities.
Determines information to communicate with necessary stakeholders within a limited timeframe.
Determines proactive positive behavioral interventions based on the DYS instructional model and behavioral management structures.
Decides themes and topics to engage youth.
Determines how to integrate real-world career skills into all lessons.
Assesses how to create and use rubrics for student work.
Substitutes in other classrooms as required, ensuring robust lessons are left if a substitute is needed.

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
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program