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

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Perform additional duties as directed by supervisors and policies.

• High school diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

• College education in a behavioral health or juvenile justice related field.
• Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth in a secure facility.
• Experience…