Youth Services Supervisor III- Gilliam Youth Service Center

This position is  open only to Colorado state residents

Physical Job location: 

Gilliam Youth Services Center2844 North Downing St.

Denver, CO 80205

About the Division of Youth Services: The mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) is to protect, restore and improve public safety utilizing a continuum of care that provides effective supervision, promotes accountability to victims and communities, and helps youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development. The strategic goal of DYS is to operate healthy trauma-responsive organizational environments as demonstrated through prosocial, safe, and non-violent interactions.
 
DYS provides a continuum of services that encompass juvenile detention, assessment, 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 15 secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of the 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.  We have many opportunities within DYS to positively impact youth and families.
 
We invite you to explore the DYS website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado at: www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys. There are numerous opportunities within DYS to positively impact youth and families and we welcome you to join our team.
 
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.  

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Purpose of the position: 

Job 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 youth, 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.  

This position must maintain professional boundaries according to the Policy S-3-30 - Professional Conduct and the Policy S-3-20 - Relationships Between Employees and Youth.

Performance Management: 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 Youth Center Administration.

Personnel and Supervision: 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 i

Safety & Security/Emergency: Supervise and oversee daily Youth Center 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 Youth Center 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 Youth Center 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 Youth Center 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 Youth Center and promote adherence to all PREA Policies and Federal Standards.   This includes proper SAB/VV/VAB risk assessment or reassessment

Programming: 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 Youth Center programming.  Models, supervises, teaches, trains, coaches, and enforces proper implementation of the Youth Center’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 Youth Center Supervisor, guiding all operations when Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent 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

Documentation/Quality Control: Supervises and oversees accurate documentation of all daily Youth Center operations, to include assisting in reviewing, writing, training and implementation of DYS Policies and QAYS Youth Center Standards.  Ensures completion of  documentation for Youth Center 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.

Organizational Accountability: 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 Youth Center.  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 Youth Center 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: Other duties as assigned.
*** Please read the entire job announcement and follow all of the instructions prior to completing the application.  You must provide documentation to be given credit for it.  There will be no exceptions on timelines to provide documentation. All documentation must be uploaded- this is the first evaluation in the selection process***

Note:
Applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the examination process.  You should ensure that your application specifically addresses the requirements as listed in the minimum and preferred qualifications, as well as the job duties and the highly desired competencies. Take the time to adequately address your specialized experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

• 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.

Substitutions: Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
 
These positions are not sedentary positions. Employees are typically on their feet during the entire shift.  Youth living quarters are located on multiple levels and employees must frequently climb stairs in the performance of job duties.  Please take into account your physical ability in relation to the essential job duties when applying for job.
 
Employees must also be willing and able to physically intervene with assaultive youth.
 
 Preferred Qualifications:
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 experience.
 
Highly Desirable Competencies

• Skilled in conflict management. 
• Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Self-control, composure, and the ability to manage stressful situations.
•  Ability to verbally communicate clearly and willingness to do so respectfully 
• Ability to identify and act on changes, inappropriate activity, hazards or potential security breaches and verbally communicate pertinent information.  
• Ability to study information and recount events in a written, factual, concise, and legible method. 

Work Environment:
Employees are required to work shift hours. This includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.  Shifts may vary between agencies and may include eight (8) hours, ten (10) hours, or twelve (12) hours in duration.  Mandatory overtime may be required.  Day shift work is not usually available. As a Correctional Youth Security Officer, your position is considered essential and you may be required to report to work during inclement weather.


Conditions of Employment:

• Full Background. CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):
  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.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted CO Driver's License
• 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. 
• Shift Work, subject to assigned Shift
• Travel: Transportation of youth in state vehicles travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment.  Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Appeal Rights: 

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

 

For additional recruiting questions, please contact brennon.watts@state.co.us. 

About Us: 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org 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

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

• 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. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.  

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. 
This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

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