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Assistant Director - Program Management II - Gilliam Youth Service Center

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Assistant Director - Program Management II - Gilliam Youth Service Center

Salary

$95,892.00 - $153,432.00 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IKA 01004 11/10/2025

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OCYF - Gilliam Youth Services Center

Opening Date

11/10/2025

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

2844 North Downing St., Denver, CO 80205

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

[email protected]

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Department Information

This position is open only to Colorado state residents

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details! (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits)

Physical Job location:Gilliam Youth Services Center2844 North Downing St.

Denver, CO 80205

About the Division of Youth Services: The mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) is to protect, restore and improve public safety utilizing a continuum of care that provides effective supervision, promotes accountability to victims and communities, and helps youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development. The strategic goal of DYSis to operate healthy trauma-responsive organizational environments as demonstrated through prosocial, safe, and non-violent interactions.

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 15 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.

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.

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Description of Job

Purpose of Position- This position is an Appointing Authority as delegated by the Youth Center Director. Reports to the Division as necessary or required, regarding the status or progress of the agency. The position implements DYS initiatives to include a trauma responsive environment, behavior management and/or treatment models. The position provides direct supervision of other supervisory and management positions to include Youth Service Specialist IIIs (YSSIII), Youth Service Counselor III (YSCIII), medical and food services managers as assigned by the Youth Center Director. Responsible for identifying, managing, and/or participating directly in leadership and management efforts aimed at improving youth center operations including implementation of the DYS strategic plan. This position participates in the Youth Center Assistant Directors Group (ADG); provides indirect supervision to all remaining employees; has on-call responsibilities; and, may serve as the liaison to the Facilities Management Division.

Job Duties -

Supervision - Supervision of direct care supervisory staff and assigned program area managers as well as indirect supervision of all other agency staff. Serves as the Appointing Authority for assigned areas; sets performance standards; conducts performance planning and appraisal of staff; and, ensures subordinate staff development needs are met. Initiates and concludes necessary corrective or disciplinary actions. Ensures direct and indirect supervisory employees are performing supervision functions with their direct reports consistent with State, Department, Division, and Youth Center expectations. Specifically ensures that the Reflective Supervision Model is implemented as designed and trained to aid in mentoring and coaching of all DYS staff within the youth center. Monitors and approves formal leaves of absence for staff and provides formal and regular interval performance evaluations of direct report staff ensuring all other staff are subject to the same procedures. Makes recommendations for promotions, applies criteria to approve, evaluate, and determine appropriate use of personnel resources pursuant to the Colorado Code of Regulations, Department, and Division policy. Responsible for ensuring all statutes and policy related to the use of seclusion and physical response are followed. Ensure quality program services and gender specific treatment in alignment with DYS Treatment Model in a trauma informed environment.

Program Implementation - Provides programmatic planning, coordinating, monitoring, evaluation, and oversight to assigned youth center functions. Responsible for quality control and continuous quality improvement for assigned youth center areas with the goal of operating a healthy trauma-responsive organizational environment as demonstrated through prosocial, safe, and non-violent interactions. The quality assurance and improvement process is aligned to DYS Policy, Compliance Review Standards, Statutes and approved practices. Implements the DYS Strategic Plan to include, but not limited to, understanding the impact of trauma, skills development, small teams, safety and self care plans, calming spaces, group processes, DYS Behavior Expectations, Incident Debriefings, use of positive reinforcement, psychoeducation and/or treatment groups. Partners with behavioral health, direct care, and other administrative supervisory staff to ensure quality programming.

Maintains effective working relationships and communication with School District Officials, Contract Providers, Detention Screening Agencies, Law Enforcement, DYS Client Managers, Regional Program Managers, Central Office Managers/staff, and DYS Leadership Team to facilitate effective bed management in the youth center and youth transition from the center. Maintains required staffing levels according to prevailing standards and ratios through recruitment, selection, training, scheduling and retention of employees.

Finance - Works with Youth Center Director to develop an annual budget based upon assessment of needs consistent with State, Department, and Division guidelines. Approves and monitors expenditures to assure spending is consistent with budget. Assures the appropriate use of resources to best address multiple needs of the youth center. Creates partnerships as needed to forward agency interests (e.g. DFM). Tracks and administers any recognition or reward monies permissible from personnel funds. Acts as a signing authority for the agency for P card and checkbooks as necessary or required. Approves or plans for movement of allocation among specific job codes without jeopardizing or violating any encumbered or contractual agreement with the Youth Center Director. Stays within the allocation in personnel funds monitoring vacancy savings, overtime usage and holiday accruals. Plans of any PREA fund allocation to prevent sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct.

Safe Environments - Ensures that the youth center and personnel are providing safe and secure care for all youth. Inspects and modifies or improves architecture or processes to ensure safety and security. Improves youth center operations by planning for additional or new/improved equipment or processes to assist with safe and secure custody. Provides staff with functioning equipment such as radios/microphones, restraint equipment, convex mirroring or video recording,to improve safety and security. Provides for oversight and quality control of processes such as youth movement or staffing schedules and distributions in the shift. Oversees unit and room assignments or group composition to assist with safe and secure operation. Oversees and monitor compliance of the Federally Mandated Prison Rape Elimination Act. Oversees and monitors new staff training to ensure attainment of Safe Practices. Oversees, with Youth Center Director, structured, engaging and trauma responsive programming. Provides for and oversees regulated movement and staff spatial positioning. Provides staff continual training to develop and practice both verbal de-escalation and physical response skills. Ensures verbal de-escalation practices are consistently applied. Provides staff training to increase their understanding of youth responses or developmental concerns so that their work to intervene may be made more effective and therefore, safer. Assists Youth Center Director in the implementation of Division initiatives to include creating a trauma responsive environment and providing staff the training, coaching and mentoring ensuring safety in the youth center. Ensures training of staff occurs per DYS Policy 4.1 at a minimum with specific agency training as indicated.

Personnel - Responsible for comprehensive understanding and application of state personnel board rules. Required to assist in recruiting efforts including testing and evaluating potential candidates, screening, interviewing, and selecting appropriate staff to advance the interests of the agency; training to specifications of agency; monitoring progress; correcting performance; and, applying appropriate State Personnel Board Board Rule for employees. Required to work closely with other employee supportive structures and processes to include Family Medical Leave (FML), Short-Term Disability (STD), and Long-Term Disability (LTD). Advises employees regarding the employee assistance program (C-SEAP) as needed. Position correctly applies resources to staff injured on the job, works collegially with HR, Timekeeping, Benefits, and the Attorney General’s Office. Position recognizes, consults with and correctly employs all elements found in the Code of Colorado Regulations or prevailing Personnel Rules. Position works to ensure that staff are evaluated according to prevailing instruments and standards. Position ensures compliance with DYS Policies. Position models, coaches, trains, teaches, mentors, and guides staff directly and ensures the same happens for indirect reports with the intent of advancing agency interests and assisting with personal job performance improvement. Addresses the training needs of staff to deal with the serious mental health needs of detained and/or committed youth. Position ensures a work environment that supports a trauma responsive environment for staff.

Representation - Position may serve, as assigned by the Youth Center Director, on specific agency boards as requested or required. Participates in department, division, regional and community processes that affect agency or scope of services overseen. Provides for escorted educational tours through the building to ensure reasonable public access and understanding of our mission and practices. Participates in broader Division work teams and assists in resolving Division issues as they arise and as assigned by the Youth Center Director. Attends Assistant Director’s meetings or other committee meetings as assigned or elected. Communicates effectively with all levels of the organization using any/all available mediums. Documents and share learnings and new information with agency staff. Ensures that constitutional and legal rights of youth in custody are not violated. Maintains community contacts with parents, families, judges, vendors to affect residential adjustment or community transition of students. Maintains Law Enforcement contact to communicate DYS Policies and Procedures, train new youth services specialists and facilitate criminal investigations. Co-leads the application of current theory of trauma responsive treatment of juveniles to ensure effective programming.

Data and Measurement Systems -With guidance from Youth Center Director, drafts, implements and monitors internal measurement systems designed to elicit programmatic improvements in safety and general programming. Data collection specific to fights, assaults, staffing, seclusion, physical response, injuries, criticals and other areas should be kept, reported on and intervened by the Director and Assistant Director. Identify and correct areas identified through a direct or delegated response. Applies process improvement strategies and captures improvements in procedure to legitimize and standardize implemented change. Responds to prevailing data concerns or requests as needed. Employs data to make sound decisions.

Other Duties as Assigned -Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

* Please read the entire job announcement and follow all of the instructions prior to completing the application. You must provide documentation to be given credit for it. There will be no exceptions on timelines to provide documentation. All documentation must be uploaded- this is the first evaluation in the selection process*

Note:

Applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the examination process. You should ensure that your application specifically addresses the requirements as listed in the minimum and preferred qualifications, as well as the job duties and the highly desired competencies. Take the time to adequately address your specialized experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience Only:

Nine (9) years of professional experience in corrections, law enforcement, probation/parole, or another area of public safety.

Or

Education and Experience:

Nine (9) years of professional experience in corrections, law enforcement, probation/parole, or another area of public safety, or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to manage operations within a secure trauma responsive environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Experience in administrative management, operations, or program coordination

+ Experience in policy implementation, compliance monitoring, and audits

+ Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure

+ High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability

+ Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage diverse teams in a high-security or high-stress environment.

+ Strong strategic planning and organizational management skills.

+ Skilled in crisis management, emergency response coordination, and incident review.

Conditions of Employment:

+ Full Background. CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):

CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).

+ Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.

+ Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License

+ 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.

+ Shift Work, subject to assigned Shift

+ Travel – Training, meetings, and other travel may be required

+ The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained. At the DYS, the safety and protection of the youth who have been entrusted to us is our #1 priority. The results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the Division of Youth Services and may be used as part of the Division's decision on whether I am selected.

+ Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information 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 ([email protected]), 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 acknowledgment 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

How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact [email protected].

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 (https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs) (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 www.copera.org 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 MotivateMe

+ 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 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .

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 [email protected] or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#technical-support)

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Do you possess a current, valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Please tell us what level of education you currently have completed and the associated major based on the selections below.

+ Master's in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).

+ Bachelor's degree with Major in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).

+ Associate's degree with Major in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).

+ Completed College Degree in unrelated field - Incomplete degree in related field

+ Completed HS/GED - Incomplete college degree in unrelated field

03

Years of experience working with at risk youth in a secure/staff secure setting or at risk population

+ 2 + years of Direct Experience working with at risk youth in secure/staff secure type program.

+ 1-2 years of Experience working with at risk youth secure/staff secure type program

+ six months to 1 year of experience working with an at risk population.

+ less then six months of experience working with an at risk population.

+ no experience working with an at risk population.

04

Years of Mentoring, Coaching , Intern or Volunteer work.

+ 2+ years of experience

+ 1-2 years experience

+ six months to 1 year of exp

+ less than six month

+ no experience

05

Years of Experience in the health and human services field and/or criminal justice field.

+ 2+ years of experience

+ 1-2 years of experience

+ six months to 1 year of experience

+ less than six months of experience

+ no experience

06

What languages do you speak?

+ Spanish

+ Other Languages

+ English Only

07

Please describe your experience working in residential treatment, mental health, law enforcement, and / or secure settings. Check all that apply:

+ Youth

+ Adult

+ Detention

+ Treatment

+ Residential Programs

+ Mental Health Facilities

+ Law Enforcement

+ Military

+ Social Work

+ Parole and Probation

08

Please indicate the other youth-specific experiences you bring to the table. Check all that apply:

+ Mentoring

+ Coaching

+ Educational Setting

+ Behavioral Intervention Programs

+ Restitution / Commitment Programs

+ Faith-Based Programs

+ Other

09

Please check the situations listed below where physically managing a youth would be necessary:

+ Swearing at another Youth

+ Swearing at an Adult / Authority Figure

+ Failing to Comply

+ Passive Resistance

+ Threatening Behavior

+ Damaging Property

+ Hurting Themselves or Others

+ Other

10

Please describe why you would physically manage youth in the situations above, and the other interventions you would use first or concurrently. If you marked "other" in the list above, please tell us about those situations as well.

11

Of these program areas, which have you demonstrated leadership in by developing the program or leading change? What outcome were you seeking and how did you accomplish it?

12

If you are a Veteran and you are requesting Veteran's Preference you must upload your DD-214 or VA letter to your application.

+ I am not a Veteran

+ I have uploaded my Veteran Preference documents (DD214 or VA letter)

+ I am a Veteran, but not requesting Veteran's preference

13

If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997...). Failure to provide this requested information may render your application incomplete, and you may no longer be considered for the position.

14

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position.

15

A condition of employment requires applicants to be 21 years of age or older. Do you meet this condition?

+ Yes

+ No

16

The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

+ This information is available to me and I have read this information

+ I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

17

Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting your application.

+ Yes

+ No

18

If you are a former or current state employee, please identify what state agency you work(ed) with and how many years of relevant state service you have related to the position you are applying for. (Ensure this is listed on your application under work experience)

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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