Special Education, State Teacher I - Campus at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center
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Salary
$71,544.00 Annually
Location
Golden, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IKA 07419 06/01/2026
Department
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division
OCYF - Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center
Opening Date
06/01/2026
Closing Date
6/14/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
2901 Ford St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Isaac.Phelps@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 only to current Colorado state residents.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.
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 numerous 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.
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:https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys
Description of Job
You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.
Schedule: M-F, typically 7am start. Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.
Purpose of this Position:This work unit exists to provide academic, vocational, and other education-related services to youth in institutional facilities, to provide professional consultation to community programs which serve DYS youth, and to establish and maintain collaboration with other state and community agencies that provide or monitor education services.
This position exists to provide classroom instruction related to the needs of youth in special education. Subjects may include, but not limited to, Language Arts, Math, and Social Emotional Learning standards to committed youth in a safe and trauma informed environment. The teacher takes responsibility for knowledge of current state standards in literacy, math, and comprehensive health, special education law, in the area of technology instruction, and related subjects including best practice and research in teaching and learning.Primary Job Duties:
Establishes and maintains an appropriate classroom setting through the use of effective classroom management skills and engagement strategies specific to student need to include progressive discipline, progressive skills, and interventions for behavior and academics. Assesses new and continuing students using multiple assessment methods and collecting multiple pieces of evidence of learning that include progress monitoring and standards based education with appropriate rigor and to reflect reading and writing tasks.
Prepares daily and unit lesson plans that are aligned with state standards, DYS power standards, and the critical skills needed and/or the CCSS content standards. Must document and submit digitally. Implements a variety of research-based education strategies (including technology) to accommodate multi-age/multi-level students to include project based learning and skills orientated focus. Ensures that the DYS instructional framework is followed with daily learning objectives and relevant learning that is scaffolded to meet the needs of all youth. This includes implementing interventions, IEP accommodations and modifications, IGCP goals, and behavioral plans with fidelity. Must utilize curriculum which is personally designed or prescribed.
Ensures educational records are in IC and/or Trails while meeting deadlines to include daily attendance and weekly grades based on academics. Selects behavior and classroom management techniques to apply within the framework of DYS. Ensuring effective accommodations are followed for special education students while also communicating growth and data needed for progress monitoring. Uses these skills for subbing in other classrooms as required; assures if a substitute is needed for classroom, robust lessons are left and timely.Specific Duties Include:
Provide ongoing data and feedback to the Special Education Coordinator regarding students' needs, information for appropriate goals and objectives as related to the IEP, and share Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) strategies in which to utilize to enhance instruction and opportunities for the success of students with an IEP.
Determines the level of complexity and standards to use for the classroom instruction based on the needs of each student and highest priorities.
Determines the information to communicate with necessary stakeholders within a limited time frame.
Based on the DYS instructional model and behavioral management structures, determine proactive positive behavioral interventions to implement within the classroom.
Decides the themes and the topics used to engage youth.
Determines how to integrate real-world career skills into all lessons.
Assesses how to create and use rubrics for student work.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Experience must be described in detail on your application to receive credit. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.
Mininum Qualifications:
This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.
Experience must be described in detail on your application to receive credit. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
~AND~
License:
Current, valid Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education with an endorsement in Special Education.
Substitutions:
None
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of effective research-based instructional strategies
Understandings of classroom-based behavioral interventions
Able to build rapport with students while maintaining boundaries
Experience with urban and at-risk populations
Content area knowledge
Team work and cross curricular collaboration
Interpersonal Skills
Oral Communication
Oral Comprehension
Problem Sensitivity & Solving
Safety and Security
Technology enhance instruction
Preferred Qualifications:
Dual endorsements or documentation or ability to be endorsed in multiple content areas.
Licensure aligned to position.
Experience with special needs populations: youth with IEPs, 504s, Multilingual backgrounds
Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth
Proficient use of data to inform instructional practices
Leadership roles and experience
Secondary school experience
Trauma-Informed practices and knowledge as it applies to at risk populations and classroom instruction
Experience with differentiated instruction; developing lessons/curriculum and providing differentiated instruction
Project-based learning experience
Previous State Experience
Conditions of Employment:
Must be 21 years old or older
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 Check , (MVR check) required,
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License
Some travel may be required to attend meetings and/or a professional development or training within the state.
CDE Professional Teaching License; Special Education License.
Able to pass Escape and Evade training
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. Your results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the DYS and may be used as part of the Division's decision to select you
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 (https://spb.colorado.gov/) website.
You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
You can find the official appeal form here (https://spb.colorado.gov/sites/spb/files/documents/Consolidated%20Appeal%20-%20Form%20-%202025.pdf) (Download PDF reader) .
You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), 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 (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:
At (303) 866-3300, 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 (https://spb.colorado.gov/board-rules) webpage.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contactIsaac.Phelps@state.co.us
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 (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. 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 (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/medical-benefits) and dental (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/dental-insurance) health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/disability-insurance)
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center (https://stateofcolorado.benefithub.com/app/home)
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 (https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs) .
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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us .
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 855-524-5627 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.
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
See the full announcement by clickingthe "Printer" icon located above the job titleLocation varies by announcement, Colorado, --
Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
