Programming Administrator - Division of Youth Services

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.

Division of Youth Services - Central Administration

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 fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with 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.

Summary of Work Unit:
The Division of Youth Services (DYS) Directors Office includes all Central Division administration activities and responsibilities related to the management and oversight of youth centers for both detained and committed youth. In addition, DYS administers a community-based system that includes case management and parole services and Colorado Youth Detention Curriculum (CYDC) detention based services. The Directors Office maintains responsibility for the following administrative functions: establishing and monitoring standards for service; developing policies and procedures and auditing programs and services for compliance; developing and allocating resources for programs and providing administrative systems to support programs, such as data, financial management, and contracting systems; developing and implementing short-term and long-term planning initiatives to address DYSs current and future program and resource needs. This unit has an instrumental role in the implementation of a healthy, trauma-responsive environment across all DYS programs.

Summary of the position:
This position serves as the Programming Administrator for all DYS facilities statewide, holding centralized authority over the development, implementation, and enforcement of all youth programming, behavioral management, youth wellness, and daily care operations standards statewide. The position defines agency goals related to youth programs and services, administers statewide programming operations such as unit scheduling and daily program structure, behavioral management and level systems, youth center rules, and disciplinary practices. In addition, it also defines the Sanctuary Model trauma-informed framework, youth rights and grievance processes, volunteer and provider management, the youth handbook, bed and unit management, recreation, library services, faith programming, room time protocols, and Individual and Group Growth and Change plans. The position ensures programming alignment with the Sanctuary model, national best practices, and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The position exercises independent judgment with broad discretion on matters affecting the daily experience, well-being, and developmental outcomes of youth across the entire Division. The position supervises two programming specialists who aid in the implementation of the Programming Administrators programming by working directly with youth center staff. This position also supervises the Restorative Community Justice (RCJ) and Victim Services Coordinator in implementing RCJ practices in youth facilitie

Job Duties:

Develop, Implement, and Administer Statewide Youth Programming and Care Operations:
Serve as the Divisions centralized authority for all youth programming, behavioral management, and daily care operations across every DYS youth center. Define strategic goals related to youth wellness and programming and translate them into Division-wide policy and procedure. Exercises ownership over all subject areas within DYS Policy, organized as follows:

• Youth programming and services

• Behavioral management and daily operations

• Youth rights and protections.

• Volunteers and providers, including screening, training, management, oversight, provider credentialing, approved visitor lists, and ongoing compliance monitoring.

Serve as the Divisions lead administrator for the Sanctuary Model, the trauma-informed organizational framework adopted by DYS in 2014. Ensures sustained fidelity to the Sanctuary Models Seven Commitments (Nonviolence, Emotional Intelligence, Social Learning, Open Communication, Democracy, Social Responsibility, and Growth and Change) across all youth centers. Oversee the integration of Sanctuary principles into daily programming, behavioral management practices, and staff-youth interactions. Conducts regular travel to all DYS facilities to assess programming operations and ensure compliance with Division standards. Assists in preparation for external audits and assessments related to programming conducted by the CDHS Quality Assurance unit. Directs corrective action plans arising from audit findings and operational assessments related to programming and youth care.

Develop and Administer Programming Training Curricula:
Develop, implement, and continuously improve programming-related training curricula for the DYS Pre-Service Training Academy and ongoing in-service professional development for all youth center employees. Serve as the authoritative subject matter expert on youth programming, behavioral management, Sanctuary Model implementation, and youth rights training content. Collaborate with the Training Academy Director while retaining final authority over all programming and care-related training standards. Review and update curricula in response to policy changes, critical incident trends, audit findings, and evolving best practices. Oversee the ongoing implementation and sustainability of the Sanctuary Model across all facilities, including coordination with Sanctuary-certified trainers and facilitation of Sanctuary Integration Teams.

Assigned Staff
Directly supervises assigned programming and youth care operations staff, as well as the Divisions RCJ coordinator. Provides leadership and performance oversight; creates schedules, assigns work, establishes priorities, conducts performance evaluations, and provides ongoing coaching. Ensures assigned staff effectively coordinate with youth center leadership, CDHS Quality Assurance, and external stakeholders in carrying out their responsibilities.

Other Duties as Required

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

• Nine (9) 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 nine (9) years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience developing, implementing, or administering programming or daily care operations in a residential, juvenile justice, child welfare, or detention/correctional setting.
• Experience designing or administering behavioral management systems, level systems, or evidence-based positive behavior support practices for youth.
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience, including assigning work, setting priorities, conducting performance evaluations, and coaching staff.
• Working knowledge of relevant licensing body regulations, and state or federal regulations related to corrections operations, such as the PrisonRape Elimination Act (PREA), American Correctional Association (ACA), and Juvenile Justice Reform Act
• Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

Conditions of Employment:

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
• Full background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Drivers License
• Travel Position is responsible for safety and security procedures at 12 youth centers across the state, including the Denver metro area, Brighton, Greeley, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Grand Junctions. The expectation for this position is that they are present at DYS youth centers 4-5 days a week, including youth centers outside the Denver metro area. Travel outside Denver area is expected about 30-40% of the time.
• 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.
• 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 a candidate is selected.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  • Disclose that information on the application.
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  • Provide your employee number from your 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.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

• Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

• A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
• You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process Structured Application Review

• After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

• Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
• If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions

• Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.

• You can find the official appeal form here .

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (...), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or

  • Faxed ...) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the departments action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At ..., or

• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

How to apply to the State of Colorado

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact ...

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join 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. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS . 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

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• 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 .

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• 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.

ADA Accommodations

• CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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.

• This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 ... .

EEO Statement: The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

• We are committed to increasing a Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a Colorado for ALL drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application: Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

• If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at ... Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.