Juvenile / Child Welfare Involved Youth Prevention Services Specialist (SSSIII)
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Juvenile / Child Welfare Involved Youth Prevention Services Specialist (SSSIII)
Salary
$58,872.00 - $78,000.00 Annually
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IHA 07133 10/22/2025
Department
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division
OCYF - Child Welfare
Opening Date
10/22/2025
Closing Date
11/12/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
1575 Sherman Street Denver, CO 80203
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Brennon.Watts@state.co.us
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 to current Colorado residents only.
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)
Description of Job
Please Note: This position is hybrid, with Wednesday and Thursday required in-office days at our Sherman Street office in Denver
About this Unit:
The Division of Child Welfare (DCW) provides a range of leadership, management, and supervisory functions related to the delivery of public child welfare services to children, youth, and families. The Division provides administrative supervision for all child welfare programs in Colorado's 64 counties and delivers technical support, monitoring, program improvement, and other quality assurance functions. The Division also provides oversight and support to service providers who work with children in the custody of county departments of social/human services.
The Child Protection and Prevention Services Unit (CPPU) carries the responsibility to provide supervisory oversight of the county departments' child protective services programs which include abuse and neglect reporting and screening, child abuse investigations, institutional abuse investigations, and child fatality reviews. Also, the unit provides administration of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) grant and the Children's Justice Act (CJA) grant and ensures compliance with federally required activities, programs, and reports included in CAPTA and other federally funded granted programs. Activities include the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and anti-human trafficking of minors program development.
About this Position:
This position is a newly created position, funded through Department Priority R:02 (Preventing Youth Homelessness), to reduce the likelihood that children and youth will experience homelessness: (1) preventing adverse childhood experiences, (2) addressing youth risk factors, and (3) strengthening support for transition-age youth. This role will be focused on the administration of programs designed to keep families safely together, by supporting a critical part of Colorado's safety net for families by partnering with prevention service intermediaries to expand access to community-based services that support economic security, housing stability, mental and behavioral health treatment, and parenting skills.
This position has a particular emphasis on juvenile justice/child welfare involvement prevention services. This position will develop policies and procedures for counties to utilize county-designed services and responses to address secondary and tertiary prevention programming for children / youth and their families involved with the Juvenile Justice system, and either current or recent Child Welfare contact to prevent further system involvement and youth homelessness. This position also coordinates cross-system partners to inform Family First implementation efforts as it relates to preventing youth homelessness and further system involvement for child welfare and juvenile justice-involved youth.
Summary of Job Duties:
Subject Matter Expert- Program Development, Implementation and Monitoring:
Works with county partners and a multitude of community-based programs to champion a prevention continuum based on Family First Prevention values and evidence-based services, that blends and braids programing and funding sources to maximize resources for child welfare and juvenile justice-involved youth.
Coordinate secondary and tertiary evidence-based services for child welfare and juvenile justice-involved youth to help prevent youth homelessness and further system involvement by ensuring youth remain in their homes, find stability in the least restrictive settings, access higher-levels of care as deemed necessary after assessment, or return home safely with prevention services in place.
Provides guidance and consultation with county departments of human/social services, judicial agencies, and various partnering agencies to build agreement of prevention services needed and designs specific to county demographics.
Analyzes and creates policy/procedure, reviews legislation, and interprets the applicability of state rules in guiding the discussion and development of prevention services programs as it relates to child welfare and juvenile justice-involved youth.
Meets regularly with various partners to discuss gaps in community-based services, available funding, and county-based needs. Trains all 64 counties and CMPs, including community-based presentations highlighting tiers of prevention programming and Colorado specific data. Assistance may include review of various reports in Trails and Apricot, as well as the use of Program Area 3, and add service authorizations when Core or Block funds are used to provide a needed service through the local Department of Human Services.
Partners to determine opportunities where Core funding may be available to support implementation and expansion of evidence-based services. This includes collaborating to inform FFPSA implementation for the juvenile justice population, including designing Community Pathways strategies to increase federal Family First drawdown in collaboration with DYS, Parole, Diversion, and Probation partners.
Attends national learning exchanges and other opportunities facilitated by partners to learn about and possibly implement successful strategies other states have employed in their efforts to expand the reach of evidence-based service among the child welfare and juvenile justice-involved youth populations.
Support the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Division of Child Welfare Youth Services Team in coordinating the needs of high-acuity youth at imminent risk of out-of-home placement and/or those children/youth lacking connection to the least restrictive settings following an out-of-home placement.
Works with the Youth Services Unit to coordinate with their efforts in oversight and development of program and policy for issues impacting older youth who are involved with child welfare in Colorado, and supporting efforts to direct systemic improvement efforts for serving justice-involved youth, including the Youth Services Specialist, Youth Services Administrator, and the Juvenile Justice Resource Coordinator.
Intermediary to County Partners:
Provides ongoing communication, direction and technical assistance to assigned counties through monthly contact. Monitors assigned county performance, provides coaching and works with assigned counties. Available for case consultations to provide policy and practice guidance. Provide technical assistance in monitoring and analyzing county work and to facilitate and apply theories of continuous quality improvement processes to align with standard child protection practices.
Contract & Budget Administration:
Work with systems and departments to understand the limitations and use of different funding streams to provide accurate guidance to community partners exploring funding options for prevention efforts. This position does not oversee any single budgetary decision-making but will influence system funding based on recommendations made through evidence and data-driven analysis.
Must understand the complexities of funding and work with those administering those funds to focus the needed monies toward child welfare and juvenile justice-involved youth prevention services and limiting system involvement.
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Important Note: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, CDHS' hiring teams consider only the contents of your application to determine meeting minimum qualifications and for the comparative analysis process. Experience is calculated on a full-time equivalency basis, therefore, it is important to accurately notate the hours you averaged per experience section entry. Volunteer work or related @type of experience may be used to meet the qualifications, but must be clearly documented. It is paramount that in the experience portion of the application, the applicant describes the extent to which they possess the education, experience, competencies and background as they relate to the duties outlined in the job announcement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Option 1 - Experience:
Six (6) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position such as professional experience in Child Welfare experience, prior state/county employee, Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker certification, and/or Casework Supervisor certified or closely related.
Ability and willingness to complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker within one year of hire and complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Case Supervisor within 2 years of hire.
Please note: This experience must be clearly documented on your application and the supplemental questions must be answered.
OR
Option 2 - Experience & Education:
A combination of related education (Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution) and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.
Preferred Qualifications:
Relevant years of State service
Master's or advanced-level degree
Experience working within child welfare populations including juvenile justice
Experience with evaluating and reporting program and service delivery outcomes
Experience with leading and facilitating stakeholder collaboration and engagement
Current Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker and/or Casework Supervisor certification
Strong collaboration skills
Public speaking experience
Conditions of Employment:
Special Qualifications: Ability and willingness to complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker within one year of hire and complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Case Supervisor within 2 years of hire.
This employee will need to travel to counties to provide technical assistance, coaching, monitoring regarding Family First Implementation efforts and County Intermediary support. Expectations for travel up to 25% of the time.
Standard Background - Name check, TRAILS, CMS and JBITS
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination 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 (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), 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 acknowledgement 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.
A standard appeal form is available at:www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contactbrennon.watts@state.co.us (amber.holcomb@state.co.us)
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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
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
Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application?
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02
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.
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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.)
03
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.
04
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.
05
Due to the youth population served, incumbents of this position must be at least 21 years of age. Are you 21 years of age or older?
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06
This position may require in-state travel to downtown Denver and other areas of the state as needed. Are you willing and able to accommodate this condition of employment?
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07
Please answer the following application questions in detail and as specific as possible, including your years of experience with each task. These responses are formally reviewed and heavily weighted in the structured application review process. Please acknowledge your understanding of this.
I understand my answers to the application's supplemental questions will be reviewed and assessed in the Structured Application Review process.
08
Please describe how your work experience aligns with this position, specifically in juvenile justice/child welfare involvement prevention and prevention of youth homelessness in Colorado.
09
Please describe how you envision the Family First Prevention Services Act aligning with preventing youth homelessness and juvenile justice/child welfare involvement prevention efforts in the State.
10
Please describe your experience leading and facilitating stakeholder collaboration and engagement, including your comfort with public speaking and facilitating highly attended community meetings in person and virtually.
11
Describe a time when you collaborated with a variety of stakeholders to identify a process or systems gap. How did you engage with stakeholders with different opinions, what opportunities did you identify, and what was the outcome?
12
Are you currently certified as a caseworker and/or Casework Supervisor in the State of Colorado?
Required Question
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