Youth Services Specialist - Campus at Lookout Mtn YSC.

Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at this location for different shifts.

Campus at Lookout Mountain, 2901 Ford Street, Golden, CO 80401.

Division of Youth Services (DYS) protects, restores, and improves public safety by providing a continuum of care, including juvenile detention, assessment, commitment, parole, and post‑release services. DYS operates 15 secure facilities serving youth aged 10‑21 and administers juvenile parole services throughout the State of Colorado.

You are required to work at the assigned location during scheduled work times. The role is a direct‑care, essential position that provides direct and engaging supervision of youth in DYS State‑Operated Secure Facilities.

• You have a passion for youth and a desire to improve your community
• You love learning new skills and teaching them to others
• You desire a job that teaches you what safe supervision is all about – physical, social, psychological, and moral
• You thrive on developing healthy relationships, professionalism, and teamwork

Provide direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and pre‑adjudicated youth in a secure setting. Monitor and enforce behavioral management plans, supervise daily activities, intervene in crisis situations, perform de‑escalation and use of physical restraint when necessary, debrief incidents, and conduct searches.

Implement and follow the Youth Center’s behavioral management program, coach and redirect youth, and support initiatives related to youth programming and crisis intervention.

Document observations of youth behavior, program responses, and all unit activities in appropriate logs, records, and database systems.

Demonstrate, support, and contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful cultural climate by adhering to organizational values and policies.

Complete DYS Pre‑Service Training Academy, Youth Center training, and orientation. Maintain and support the Division’s behavior management strategies.

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). Positions are not sedentary; employees will be on their feet, climb stairs, and may need to physically intervene with assaultive youth.

• College education in a behavioral health or juvenile justice related field.
• Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained youth within a secure residential facility or a behavioral health setting.
• Experience facilitating psycho educational groups and working with adolescents who have trauma.
• Experience mentoring or coaching youth in positive leadership roles.
• Experience utilizing verbal de‑escalation and motivational techniques.

• Skilled in conflict management.
• Strong work ethic, integrity, and dependability.
• Sound judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Self‑control, composure, and the ability to manage stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully.
• Ability to identify and act on changes, hazards, or security breaches and communicate pertinent information verbally.
• Ability to study information and recount events in a written, factual, concise, and legible manner.

Shift work (evening, night, weekend, holidays). Shifts may vary between 8, 10, or 12 hours. Mandatory overtime may be required. Day shift work is not usually available. The position may require travel.

• Minimum of 21 years of age with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
• Valid State of Colorado driver's license.
• Pass CBI and FBI background investigations.
• Shift work and travel to assigned trainings and alternate work sites.
• Completion of the Diana Screen sexual‑risk screening tool.
• For former state employees, disclosure of prior disciplinary termination or resignation and related rationale.
• Continued employment conditional upon successful completion of required training and annual training in all subject areas.

Eligible applicants may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. Appeals must be submitted within ten (10) calendar days of notification and may be delivered by email, post, or fax as specified in official guidelines.

• Retirement benefits: PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Health Savings Account.
• Paid life insurance.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
• 11 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Employee Wellness program Motivate Me.
• Flexible schedules and training.

THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.