Youth Services Specialist I Part Time - Campus at Lookout Mtn YSC

State of Colorado•Golden, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) mission is to protect, restore, and improve public safety by providing a continuum of care that includes effective supervision, accountability to victims and communities, and helps youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development. DYS aims to operate healthy, trauma-responsive organizational environments characterized by prosocial, safe, and non-violent interactions. The Division manages juvenile detention, assessment, commitment, and parole services, operating 15 secure facilities for youth aged 10-21. DYS also oversees the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum for pre-adjudicated youth and administers juvenile parole services statewide. The agency is committed to increasing staff diversity and providing culturally responsive programs, encouraging applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
No felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado driver's license.
Pass CBI and FBI background investigations.
Willing and able to physically intervene with assaultive youth.
Ability to climb stairs frequently.
Ability to work shift hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Willingness to work mandatory overtime.
Willingness to travel for youth transport, training, and/or alternate work sites.
Must list current and previous employers within the last 10 years on the application, even if unrelated to the position, with complete information (address, phone, supervisor name).
Must disclose and explain any prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination from state employment.

Nice To Haves

College education in a behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field.
Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth within a secure residential facility and/or a behavioral health setting.
Experience facilitating psychoeducational groups.
Education/experience working with adolescents who have trauma.
Experience working with youth in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching.
Experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques.
Relevant years of state service.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated youth in a secure setting.
Monitor, participate, support, and enforce behavioral management plans for individual youth.
Supervise youth or groups of youth, including daily activities and orientation.
Intervene in crisis situations, utilizing non-escalation and de-escalation techniques.
Use physical response/restraint in emergency situations when necessary.
Debrief all incidents involving youth.
Conduct searches of youth and facilities.
Implement and follow the Youth Center’s behavioral management program with positive engagement.
Teach, coach, and redirect youth within the program.
Support DYS initiatives and strategies related to youth programming and crisis intervention.
Document observations of youth behavior and response to programs.
Document all unit activities and required information in appropriate logs and records systems.
Document all youth group activities in appropriate database systems.
Demonstrate, support, and contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful cultural climate through communications and behaviors.
Adhere to organizational values: Nonviolence, Open Communication, Social Responsibility, Growth and Change, Social Learning, Democracy, and Emotional Intelligence.
Adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS Compliance Review Standards, and CDHS and DYS policies.
Develop healthy, positive relationships and create a trauma-responsive environment.
Complete DYS Pre-Service training academy, Youth Center training, and orientation process.
Complete all assigned online training.
Maintain and support the Division’s prevailing behavior management and intervention strategies.
Participate in training to learn problem-solving, relationship development with youth, skill-teaching, and understanding of trauma, behavioral health, and high-risk behavior.