Correctional Youth Security Officer I - Platte Valley Services Center

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at this location for different shifts

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. 

Physical Job location: 
Platte Valley Youth Services Center
2200 "O" Street
Greeley, CO 80631

Shifts: 12 ½ hour, 6a-6:30p, 10a-10:30p, 6p-6:30p

Working Days: 

Front End: Every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and every other Wednesday

     Back End: Every other Wednesday, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

About the position:

This position provides interactive/engaging supervision of youth where they  coach, mentor and role model positive social expectations.  In this role, employees will lead youth within the milieu in areas such as groups, recreation, structural activities and support youth in their treatment/educational plans and goals. Employees will actively monitor youth and will intervene into situations at the lowest level to ensure individual and group safety.  This position provides youth with positive recognition, redirects behavioral concerns which includes verbal and/or physical interventions. Employees will be required to complete documentation in both written and computer format. Duties in this position include:

Safety/Security:

• Providing 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 as directed

•  Supervision of youth or group of youth, supervision of daily activities, youth orientation 

• Intervention in crisis situations, non-escalation, de-escalation 

• Use of physical response/restraint in emergency situations 

• Debriefing of all incidents, and conducting searches

Youth Center Programming:

•  Actively and with positive engagement, implement and follow the Youth Center behavioral management program

• Teach, coach, and redirect youth within the behavior management program and role model prosocial behavior at all times 

• Conduct problem solving, appreciation, pre/post activity groups, psycho-educational groups and individualized skill building as needed to support a safe environment conducive to learning and consistent with DYS behavioral expectations

• Communicate expectations for behavior, events, rules, or other milieu requirements 

• Provide supervision and support of community transition/reintegration opportunities for youth

• Use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with youth, overcome resistance to change, communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances

• Support restorative community justice principles and/or activities

• Facilitate psychoeducation, skill development, recreation and other youth groups and activities

• Support DYS initiatives and strategies as they relate to Youth programming and crisis intervention

• Objectively and fairly monitor and record youth behaviors, as well as intervene according to prevailing program standards related to privileges and consequences. 

• Follow the daily program schedule based on prevailing standards

• Support treatment and case plan goals and objectives developed by the Behavioral Health and Medical Services unit

• Recognize, implement, monitor, observe and document youth IGCP (Individual Growth and Change Plans in accordance with the written program

• Recommend any modifications of program to supervisory and/or clinical staff 

• Facilitate and monitor the cleanup of living units and rooms, as well as inspect the youth center, according to daily schedule

• Routinely and equitably distribute linen and clothing to ensure good hygiene practice

•  Make requests to ensure hygienic standards are met, as necessary. See that youth consume all hygienic resources wisely and limit wasteful
  uses by youth

• Ensure youth are provided access to meals and Monitor meal provision and consumption in accordance with time standards, document and/or record meals as required

• Ensure that youth are provided confidential access to grievances, medical and behavioral health services as needed/requested 

• Distribute youth medications and document the distribution of medications as specified in DYS Policy.

• Support and respond to youth to meet their presenting needs and address their concerns appropriately

• Uphold basic rights of youthpursuant to prevailing law or policy. Support and ensure that youth are provided access to recreation according
   to prevailing standards, youth physical condition, and daily program schedule

•  Provide orientation for newly admitted youth within 24 hours of admission according to prevailing orientation standards as assigned

• Provide support to educational programming as requested and assigned.

Documentation/Recording and Reporting:

•  Document observations of youth behavior and response to program(s) and document all unit activities and required information in appropriate logs and records systems

• Document all youth group activities in appropriate database systems

• All staff must report known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to State statute

• Ensure required suicide risk assessments are completed within one hour of admission for all newly detained and committed or recommitted youth

• Inventory and record youth property during admission, any or all releases and any other access or change to that property

• Document the receipt and release of all youth medication(s) as appropriate

Organizational Accountability:

• Through all communications and behaviors demonstrate, support, and contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful cultural climate throughout the Youth Center by adhering to our organizational values of Nonviolence, Open Communication, Social Responsibility, Growth and Change, Social Learning, Democracy, and Emotional Intelligence

•  Requirement to adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS Compliance Review Standards, and CDHS and DYS policies

Training:

•    Complete DYS Pre-Service training academy, Youth Center training, and orientation process as a new employee

• Complete all assigned online training, and maintain and support the Division’s prevailing behavior management and intervention strategies 

• Completes other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:  
High school diploma or General Education Diploma, (GED).

Substitutions: None

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous state experience 

• Experience with youth in a mental health, residential or related secure setting

• Experience working with high risk youth and/or adults in the community, security or correctional setting

• Previous Military or Law Enforcement experience

• History of mentoring, coaching, supervising or teaching youth or young adults  
  
  

• 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.
• Shift Work - subject to assigned Shift
• Travel - Transportation of youth in state vehicles travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites.
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check 
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado 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.
• The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained. At the DYS, the safety and protection of the youth who have been entrusted to us is our #1 priority.   The results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the Division of Youth Services and may be used as part of the Division's decision on whether a candidate is selected.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  • Disclose that information on the application.
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  • Provide your employee number from your 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.

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements. 

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Relevant years of state service experience.

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position.  You must complete the official State of Colorado online application.  Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process.  Part-time work experience will be prorated.

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing. 

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications. 

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.     

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers  based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated.  You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email ([email protected]), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, 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 acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

•  Refer to the  Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

How to Apply

            Need help with your application? Click here.

The Assessment Process

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join 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. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. 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 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.

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• 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.

• 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].

• We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

• Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

• If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.