Thursday , March 28 2024

State Jobs Colorado – Youth Services Specialist I

Website State of Colorado

Job Description:

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 ten 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.

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) is committed to hiring individuals who are professional and passionate about their desire to help youth. DYS values candidates who have demonstrated perseverance as a special attribute that can help the youth in our care. DYS encourages qualified candidates with “lived experience” to apply. Lived experience comes from the personal knowledge and understanding that many possess by virtue of first-hand experience with mental health, substance abuse, systems involvement and traumatic events. Lived experience brings unique knowledge, insights and perspectives that are invaluable for organizational growth, increased sensitivity to the youth and families we serve, and new ideas and inspiration for improving service delivery.

Job Responsibilities:

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.

Job Requirements:

  • High school diploma or General Education Diploma, (GED).
  • 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.

Job Details:

Company: State of Colorado

Vacancy Type: Full Time

Job Functions: Information Technology

Job Location: Colorado Springs, CO, US

Application Deadline: N/A

Apply Here

careersvilla.net

To apply for this job email your details to careersvillaat@gmail.com