Youth Services Specialist I - Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center- Colorado Springs

State of Colorado•Colorado Springs, CO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Services Specialist I provides direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated youth in a state-operated secure facility. The position supports youth around the clock, organizing and directing daily living and leisure activities and providing corrective cognitive, emotional, and behavioral experiences through a trauma-responsive approach. The role serves adolescents with a range of behavioral health disorders, trauma, and criminal behaviors and requires professional boundaries and adherence to applicable laws, CDHS and DYS policies, audit standards, and facility procedures. The position works at the assigned facility on a schedule within a 24-hour operation, across first, second, or overnight shifts. Duties include maintaining facility safety and security; implementing behavioral programming and treatment-related plans; supporting youth needs and access to services; documenting observations, activities, searches, incidents, and other required information; attending mandatory training; and contributing to a respectful, healthy organizational climate. Employees must successfully complete DYS pre-service training, field training, and required annual training. The role may involve transporting youth and travel to training or alternate work sites.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED); no substitutions are accepted.
Must be a Colorado resident when applying and remain a Colorado resident throughout employment.
Must be at least 21 years of age and have no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver's license or, for positions within 30 miles of the Colorado state border, a valid, non-restricted U.S. driver's license. Out-of-state license holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver's license within 30 days of the employment start date.
Must successfully complete the required background screening, including applicable identity and fingerprint checks, database checks, reference checks, drug screening, and other checks listed in the posting.
Must successfully complete DYS Pre-Service Training, the Field Training Program, and mandatory annual training; continued employment is contingent on successful completion.
Must maintain the physical ability to demonstrate required skills and maintain mandatory certifications as applicable.
Must work the assigned shift at the assigned location; the facility operates 24 hours a day across first, second, and overnight shifts.
Must be able to travel to training or alternate work sites and transport youth in state vehicles as assigned.
Must maintain professional boundaries and comply with applicable legal standards, CDHS and DYS policies, PREA requirements, and facility procedures.

Nice To Haves

Previous State of Colorado experience.
Experience working with at-risk youth or teenagers.
Previous experience in corrections, law enforcement, or the military.
Experience mentoring youth or serving in a professional role with youth.
Strong attention to detail.
Problem-solving ability.
Conflict-resolution experience.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care, supervision, and security for youth in a secure setting; enforce rules and behavioral expectations and supervise daily living and leisure activities.
Orient youth to facility rules and routines, monitor youth movement, and escort or transport youth to activities and appointments.
Identify and respond to potential or active crises using sound judgment, verbal de-escalation, conflict-management skills, and approved physical response techniques when necessary.
Participate in incident defusing and debriefing and follow protocols for critical incidents, altercations, medical emergencies, and fire drills.
Conduct searches of youth, property, and facility areas; identify, document, and seize contraband in accordance with policy.
Inspect facility security features, grounds, living units, and common areas to support safety, security, sanitation, and escape prevention.
Monitor and document suicide-prevention, medical-watch, and other special-observation statuses; implement safety plans and behavior agreements.
Actively supervise youth to prevent sexual contact and harassment and comply with PREA policies and standards.
Implement behavioral management programming, teach and coach prosocial behavior, facilitate groups and activities, and follow the daily program schedule.
Monitor and document youth behavior, privileges, consequences, and Individual Growth and Change Plans; recommend program modifications to supervisory or clinical staff.
Support treatment and case-plan goals and provide youth access to education, recreation, meals, hygiene supplies, clothing, linen, medical and behavioral health services, and confidential grievances.
Distribute youth medications and document their receipt and release as required by policy.
Complete required documentation in youth files and the TRAILS database, including shift logs, activity and search records, incident reports, risk assessments, observation records, property inventories, and admission or release information.
Report known or suspected abuse as a mandatory reporter and communicate relevant youth information to receiving staff and other parties.
Attend and successfully complete assigned training, testing, certifications, and the DYS Pre-Service Training Academy and Field Training Program.
Follow work-schedule, timekeeping, leave, conduct, and organizational policies, and contribute to a professional, positive, and respectful workplace.

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.
Work-life programs, including flexible schedules and training.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.