Youth Services Specialist - Betty K. Marler - Female Youth Services Center

Youth Services Specialist I - Betty K. Marler - All Female Youth Services Center

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) is committed to protecting, restoring, and improving public safety by providing a continuum of care for youth in secure facilities and beyond.

• Provide safety, security, and direct supervision of adjudicated and pre‑adjudicated youth in a secure setting; monitor and enforce behavior management plans; respond to crises and conduct searches.
• Lead Youth Center programming, including implementing behavior management programs, coaching and redirecting youth, and supporting crisis intervention initiatives.
• Document observations, report incidents, and maintain accurate logs and records in the required database systems.
• Demonstrate organizational accountability by supporting a trauma‑responsive, non‑violent culture and adhering to CDHS Code of Conduct and DYS policies.
• Complete required training programs such as the DYS Pre‑Service Training Academy, Youth Center training, and mandatory annual training; assist in online training modules.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Physical ability to work on feet during the entire shift and to intervene with assaultive youth.
• Minimum age 21.
• Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license.
• No felony convictions or history of domestic violence.

• College education in behavioral health or juvenile justice.
• Experience working with adjudicated or detained youth in secure or behavioral health settings.
• Experience facilitating psycho‑educational groups and working with trauma‑exposed adolescents.
• Experience mentoring or coaching youth in positive leadership roles.
• Experience with verbal de‑escalation and motivational techniques.
• Relevant state service experience.

• Conflict management skills.
• Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability.
• Sound judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Self‑control, composure, and ability to manage stressful situations.
• Clear verbal communication and respectful interaction.
• Ability to identify potential security breaches and convey information appropriately.
• Ability to provide clear, factual, written narrative of events.

Shift hours include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; shift length ranges from 8 to 12 hours. Mandatory overtime may be required; day shift is typically unavailable.

• Complete CDS background checks including CBI name check, fingerprint check, court database, Medicare fraud database, reference checks, license verification, drug screen, PREA, Trails check, CAPS, and the Diana Screen.
• Attend required training programs and maintain certifications.
• Adhere to health and safety protocols, including the Diana Sexual Risk Screening.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

CDHS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Contact the ADA Coordinator at  or 1‑800‑929‑0791.