Youth Center Rights Coordinator (CYSO III)

Department Information

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Physical Job location

Spring Creek Youth Services

3190 East Las Vegas St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

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: . 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.

Description Of Job

About the position. This position serves as a Youth Center Rights Coordinator . The purpose of the position is to ensure that youth rights are upheld and that all youth are treated with dignity, respect, fairness, and equity. This position ensures compliance with nondiscrimination policies and manages grievances related to discrimination. This position manages complaints, develops policies and provides training to the staff related to youth rights.

This position supports the administration with reporting and leads by example an inclusive work environment based on DYS policies and Youth Rights, ensuring every youth receives the best care and their rights are respected. This position partners with administration and first line supervisors to ensure staff is educated and follows DYS policies related to Youth Rights.

Youth Center Rights Coordinator

Duties Include but are not limited to the following:

• Review of videos involving physical response, abuse allegations, and youth grievances (if applicable). Additional reviews as required by the Youth Center Administration.
• Collect, review, and respond to youth grievances in accordance with DYS Policy 13.2 Grievance Procedures. Responsible for logging grievances on the tracking form and submitting monthly data to Administration. This form will be submitted to the Youth Center Administration by the 3rd of each month for the previous month's data tracking.
• Oversee and deliver Youth Center training related to PREA, Youth Rights, and other training relevant to youth rights.
• Collaborate with the Youth Center PREA Compliance Manager to gather information and data for internal investigations.
• Serve as the Youth Center Volunteer Coordinator, ensuring compliance with DYS Policy 20.2 Volunteers.
• Facilitate monthly student council meetings, record meeting notes, and report outcomes to Youth Center Administration.
• Facilitate youth and staff restorative processes following investigations or allegations, following DYS Policy 3.14 Personnel Actions Related to Child Abuse.
• Participate in all CRT (Critical Response Team) activities for LGBTQIA2S+ youth, ensuring compliance with DYS Policy 13.9
• Assists Youth Center Administration with data collection for CPO requests.
• Ensures compliance with Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) Policy 2.14 HIPAA Privacy, 2.19 Sensitive and Confidential Information, 2.27 Internal Investigations, and ensures absolute confidentiality in all matters.

Programming And Youth Rights

• Ensures all basic rights and needs of youth are satisfied and that dignity and respect are demonstrated for all youth regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, 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.
• Serves as the primary youth grievance officer to ensure rights, practices and policies are upheld by the staff. Communicate any concerns to the Director and/or designee.
• Responsible for oversight and maintaining youth center programming and ensuring compliance with Youth Rights applicable laws. Ensures all program activities are completed and documented.
• Leads and role models 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.
• Monitor the 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

• 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 the 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.

Other Duties As Assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

* 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.

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

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;
• 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.

Conditions Of Employment

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
• 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).
• 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 Records (MVR) check
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License
• Shift Work - subject to assigned Shift
• Travel - Transportation of youth in state vehicles travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites.
• 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.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation: 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.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

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. 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. Comparative Analysis Process

Structured Application Review : After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from an eSkills Test.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties : 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.

Supplemental Questions : 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).

Appeal Rights: 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_hidden***), 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 View phone number on workus.org) 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 View phone number on workus.org, 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.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

Need help with your application? Click here.

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact View email address on workus.org

About Us & Benefits

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 .

Our Values

• 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.

ADA 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 View email address on workus.org .

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

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.

Additional Support For Your Application

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 View phone number on workus.org 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.