Job Description

Department Information

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

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

About the Division of Youth Services: The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, 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 numerous secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State. For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of 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, which includes but is not limited to parole supervision through case management to ensure community safety.


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:

Description of Job

The Office of Staff Development (OSD) exists to develop, coordinate, implement training and staff development programs for all Division of Youth Services (DYS) employees. This includes but is not limited to training and/or oversight in the following areas: Treatment Modalities such as Sanctuary and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mental Health Interventions, Crisis Intervention Program, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Basic First Aid, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Leadership Training, Code of Conduct, Policy/Procedure, Youth Rights, Report Writing, Adolescent Development, Sex Offender Training, Substance Abuse, Suicide Assessment and Prevention, Instructional Theory into Practice training the trainer, Universal Precautions, Strength Based Approach, and numerous other initiatives that the Division promotes. This position is responsible for writing and oversight of training that directly relates to the Division’s Policies and Initiatives. In addition, the work unit is responsible for the interpretation, making recommendations, training and presentation of new Policies and updates to all DYS employees.



Summary of Position:
The position exists to determine content, develop standardized curricula, coordinate, deliver, evaluate and monitor the programs that are trained at the DYS academy, this includes but is not limited to DYS Orientation, Sanctuary, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/First Aid, Youth Rights and Responsibilities, Suicide Precaution Monitoring, Mandatory Reporting, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Report Writing, Code of Conduct, Informed Supervision, Groups, Searches, Simulation and provides support, coordinates and delivers our Crisis Prevention and Intervention Program called Protective Supports and Interventions. The position also develops training that will be given by instructors at Youth Service Centers. This includes but is not limited to policy training, online training, and yearly requirements for staff.



Crisis Prevention and Intervention Program/Protective Supports and Interventions:
With guidance from the Lead Academy Trainer and the Director of Staff Development, this position will help train Protective Supports and Interventions which is an internally developed crisis prevention and intervention program. This is the only crisis prevention and intervention program authorized to be used in the youth centers by the Division of Youth Services. To effectively train this high-risk, high-liability program, the position must have practical experience utilizing all elements of the program in their day operations, but also have the ability to instruct the courses in a manner that addresses various learning styles. Elements of the program include:

• As a Motivational Interviewing instructor, the position utilizes their professional experience to effectively instruct students on how to practically utilize open ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries, simple reflections, amplified reflections, double sided reflections, importance/confidence ruler, Querying Extremes, Looking Forward/Back, Evocative Questions, Decisional Balance, Goals/Values Exploration and Elaboration all to help effective address resistance and support the youth’s move towards positive change without raising aggression or defensiveness. .
• As a verbal de-escalation instructor, the position will utilize their professional experience along with their knowledge of adult learning theory(andragogy) to teach students not only the skills contained within the program but also how to effectively transfer the training into the milieu
• As an experienced end user and a certified instructor, the position will teach the physical responses contained within PSI that are designed to quickly intervene and stop an emergency as defined by statute. Being proficient in skill application in a DYS milieu and effective instruction in the skills contained within this program

Training Liaison:
This position will give assistance to youth centers by providing training for their trainers. This will happen through formal classes, quarterly assistance training for PSI instructors, and recertification. This position represents CDHS, DYS, and Staff Development on assigned committees and inter-agency collaborative efforts, including DHS shared training efforts.



Training Delivery:
With oversight from the lead trainer, the position will utilize their knowledge of direct and supportive care, therapeutic interventions, mental health services, milieu management and Adult Learning Theory to train DYS staff on interventions that help build competencies in the youth, who have mental health, sex offending and/or substance abuse issues, to become responsible citizens utilizing evidence-based modalities. By offering DYS-sanctioned training, the position will ensure DYS uses a systematic approach that adheres to the model being taught and ongoing training that enhances knowledge retention (transfer of learning). Areas of training will include, but are not limited to, the following:
DYS Orientation, Youth Rights and Responsibilities, Suicide Precaution Monitoring, Mandatory Reporting, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Report Writing, Code of Conduct, Informed Supervision, Groups, Searches and Simulation training. In addition, the position must be:

• A trainer of trainers certified through the Sanctuary Institute or their designee.
• An instructor and instructor trainer in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/First Aid/Automated External Defibrillator from The Health and Safety Institute.
• Additionally, the position will use their expertise in adult learning principles and the proper use of technology, and learning strategies to enhance the participant’s engagement, retention, and acquisition of skills taught in training. The position will use their expertise to effectively navigate through a PowerPoint presentation, incorporate audio/visual aids, use of equipment such as computers and monitors, and employ techniques such as anticipatory sets to gain the audience’s attention throughout the training. The position will field questions, work through hypotheticals, and demonstrate problem-solving with the students in the subject of direct or supportive care

Training Development:
With the oversight and guidance from Lead Academy Training, this position will develop, write and implement standardized training programs/curricula for, but not limited to, effective milieu management, policy, life safety skills, and cognitive behavioral services that promote adherence to DYS’s mission of public safety and effective supervision of juvenile offenders. This position will use knowledge of current research, trends, standards, policies and other experts in the field to develop training plans and programs that educate DYS staff in evidence based interventions and therapeutic strategies for mental health issues, effectively manage a milieu, provide cognitive behavioral interventions, treatment models relating to violent and sexual offenders, effective and proper use of CPR/FA skills, values and boundaries, report writing, adolescent development, supervisory responsibilities and new employee training. This position will learn, implement, and be a resource for group facilitation. This will help OSD support Youth Centers and Leadership where support is requested but the issue is not training, rather a conflict, group dynamic, or cultural issue.



Other Duties As Assigned:
This position will complete various duties but not limited to: data entry, rosters, scheduling, making class materials, filing, and work site security measures.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience must be specifically documented on your application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.

Conditions of Employment:

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
• Full Background - Name check, TRAILS and Fingerprinting
• Travel - As a trainer, there is an expectation that the person in the position may have to travel to the DYS youth centers and region offices around the state.
• 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, where applicable.
• 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.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail 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.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

Link to: How to Apply

Link to: The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact brennon.watts@state.co.us

About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining 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. 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

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• 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. For more

information, go to



Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .



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.

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.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of 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, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform 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 our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Flexible hours,

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