Youth Services Specialist I - Mount View Youth Services Center
Description of Job
Positions create a trauma responsive milieu which encompasses ensuring physical, psychological, social and moral safety.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with youth in an effort to support them in their program.
- Coach and mentor youth within the behavior management program and role model pro-social behavior.
- Use DYS Behavior Expectations, positive reinforcement, group processes, teaching of skills and other interventions to shape behavior change.
- Reinforce use of safe practices including methods of supervision and structure that maintain a non-violent milieu.
- Supervise groups of youth in daily structured programming to include recreation, leisure activities and special events.
- Facilitate psychoeducation, skill development and other youth groups.
- Support use of safety and self-care plans.
- Support youth and groups of youth, while in care. Support treatment and case plan goals and objectives (for committed youth).
- Provide supervision and support of community transition/reintegration opportunities for youth.
- Provide immediate intervention in individual and group crisis situations.
- Use non-escalation and de-escalation and, in emergencies, use approved physical response techniques when all other interventions have failed.
- Teach and enforce established DYS rules, policies, and procedures.
- Conduct searches of individuals and rooms for contraband items and inspect the safety of doors, windows, and grounds.
- Utilize computer software to document incident reports and other activities when required.
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 qualification 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 and Experience:
High school diploma or General Education Diploma, (GED).
Substitutions: None
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.
Highly Desirable Competencies:
Bilingual
Work Environment:
Employees are required to work shift hours. This includes evening, night, weekend 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 YSSI, your position is considered essential and you may be required to report to work during inclement weather.
Conditions of Employment:
Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with 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, as well as a drug screen as a condition of employment
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
Included in the background investigation is a current/previous employer check. Your current and previous employers within the last 10 years must be listed on your application even if the job duties are unrelated to Correctional Youth Security Officer I position. Incomplete employer information (address, phone, supervisor name) or omission of former employers may result in application disqualification) or omission of former employers may result in application disqualification.