Youth Services Specialist II - Prairie Vista Youth Services Center in Brighton, CO

Position Summary Location: Prairie Vista Youth Service Center, 192 Bromley Business Pkwy., Brighton, CO 80603. This position is open to current Colorado residents only. The role provides 24‑hour/7‑day per week supervision of youth in DYS State Operated Secure Facilities. About the Division of Youth Services The Division of Youth Services (DYS) protects, restores, and improves public safety by providing effective supervision, promoting accountability to victims and communities, and helping youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development. DYS operates 15 secure facilities serving youth aged 10‑21 and administers juvenile parole services statewide. About the Position This direct‑care role functions as a Lead Worker, providing supervision, safety, and programming to youth while ensuring compliance with legal and policy standards. Responsibilities include supervising daily living and leisure activities, providing trauma‑responsive interventions, managing safety protocols, and maintaining accurate documentation. Safety & Security • Directly care, supervise, and maintain safety in a locked setting. Enforce security rules, conduct searches, monitor movement, escort, document contraband, and implement seizure as appropriate. Monitor Suicide Precaution Monitoring (SPM), special status youth, and use of physical restraints, seclusion, and de‑escalation protocols. Respond to crisis situations, maintain staff and youth safety, and conduct incident debriefings. Lead Worker Duties Coach, teach, and mentor other employees while modeling policy adherence. Provide shift briefing and communicate information concerning youth, safety plans, and behavior contracts. Review and oversee implementation of SPM, SMP, seclusion, behavior contracts, and safety plans. Identify milieu concerns and offer solutions to reduce threats. Review minor and major rule violations, approve interventions, and ensure compliance with policy. Conduct juvenile disciplinary hearings, uphold due process, and implement restorative community justice. Maintain fire, safety, and sanitation standards and resolve emergency concerns. Administer medication per QMAP standards, oversee after‑hours medication receipt, and refer for medical care. Assign staff to post assignments, uphold staffing patterns, and facilitate post‑incident processes. Respond to all codes, assess situations, and direct staff with least restrictive alternatives. Ensure Pre‑A Standards, perform SAB/VV/VAB assessments, and coordinate safety contracts. Oversee juvenile transports and assign staff as needed. Ensure all youth are offered meals. Programming Implement and follow the facility behavioral management program; conduct psycho‑educational groups, monitor behaviors, enforce privileges and consequences, and support restorative justice principles. Provide recreation, facilitate clean‑up, maintain hygiene, and support emotional and cognitive growth of youth. Documentation, Recording, and Reporting Record observations, searches, unit activities, SPM and SMP status, extended risk assessment forms, incident reports, and trauma‑related documentation. Submit necessary forms in the TRAILS database, maintain medical watch records, tally meal distribution, and notify staff of any significant information. Organizational Accountability Demonstrate a positive, respectful, and culturally responsive climate, communicate professionally with residents, staff, and external agencies, and adhere to CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS Core Values, and safety standards. Training Attend and complete all required training, maintain certifications, and fulfill Pre‑Service, Facility Training, and Orientation. Serve as a lead worker by guiding staff development and facilitating team meetings. Other Duties as Assigned Perform additional duties as directed by supervisors and policies. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED. One (1) year of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position. Preferred Qualifications College education in a behavioral health or juvenile justice related field. Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth in a secure facility. Experience facilitating psycho‑educational groups and working with trauma‑affected adolescents. Experience in positive leadership roles, mentoring, de‑escalation, and motivational techniques. Relevant years of state service experience. Highly Desirable Competencies Conflict management skills. Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability. Sound judgment and decision‑making skills. Self‑control, composure, and ability to manage stressful situations. Clear verbal communication and respectful interaction. Ability to identify and communicate hazards, security breaches, and necessary actions. Ability to record information accurately and concisely. Work Environment Shift work, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may range 8, 10, or 12 hours; overtime may be required. Must be able to physically intervene when necessary. Conditions of Employment Conduct a full background check including CBI, fingerprint, court database, Medicare fraud, reference checks, license verification, drug screen, and PREA screening. Motor vehicle check if position requires driving. Minimum age 21, no felony convictions or history of domestic violence. Valid, unrestricted Colorado driver’s license. Compliance with CDHS and DYS policies, procedures, and statutes. Flu and other mandatory vaccinations required. Completion of DYS Pre‑Service, Field Training Program and annual training. Compliance with Diana Screen sexual risk screening community. Benefits Retirement benefits – PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan. Medical and dental health plans. Health Savings Account. Paid life insurance. Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage. 11 paid holidays per year, vacation and sick leave. Employee Wellness program. Flexible schedules, training, and work‑life programs. Equal Opportunity Employment We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr Colorado-Department-of-Human-Service