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Youth Center Superintendent - Program Management III

State of Colorado • Grand Junction, CO • 9h ago

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Salary

$105,720.00 - $169,164.00 Annually

Location

Grand Junction, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IKA 01168 06/22/2026

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OCYF - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Opening Date

06/22/2026

Closing Date

7/7/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

360 28 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81501

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

brennon.watts@state.co.us

Type of Announcement

The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

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

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:

360 28 Rd

Grand Junction, CO 815011

About the Division of Youth Services: The mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) is to protect, restore, and improve public safety through a continuum of services that effectively provides supervision of juvenile offenders; promotes accountability to victims and communities; and helps youth lead constructive lives through positive youth development. To achieve its mission, the DYS adheres to Key Strategies, Commitments, and the Colorado Model.The Key Strategies ensure youth:- Are provided the right services at the right time;- Delivered by quality staff;- Using proven practices;- In safe environments; and- Embracing Restorative Community Justice Principles.The Commitments support DYS' mission by providing an environment for youth, families and staff that supports:- Non-Violence;- Emotional Intelligence;- Open Communication;- Social Responsibility;- Democracy;- Social Learning; and- Growth and Change.In addition, the Colorado DYS has created the Colorado Model which embraces the 8 Evidence-Based Principles andspecific practice elements.8 Evidence-Based Principles:

Assess Actuarial Risk and Needs;- Enhance Intrinsic Motivation;- Target Interventions;- Use of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Models;- Increase Positive Reinforcement;- Engage Ongoing Support in Natural Communities;- Measure Relevant Processes and Practices, and- Provide Measurement Feedback.Practice Elements:- Community Collaborations;- Safe and Trauma Responsive Environments;- Focus on Staff and Youth Resiliency;- Relationship and Strengths-Based Orientation;- Ecological Focus;- Integrated Service Delivery; and- Data-Driven Decision-Making.By grounding our programs in the Key Strategies, Commitments, 8 Evidence Based Principles, and the Practice Elements specific to the Colorado Model, DYS programs supervise, assess, treat, and successfully transition youth back into the community.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 ten 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 Senate Bill 91-94; 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.

Description of Job

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

Purpose of Position- This position is the highest-level Appointing Authority responsible for the administration and management of all services/programs, finance and personnel for an individual secure residential youth center and is responsible for ensuring compliance with statute, regulations, Children's Code, and CDHS and Division policy. The Youth Center Director must oversee, develop, implement, and monitor goals and other measurement systems as necessary or required. This position implements and ensures continued advancement of the Divisions' Strategic Plan, DYS Behavioral Management Program and the DYS Treatment Model. The position reports necessary and required information regarding the status and/or progress of the youth services center. Ensures the implementation of DYS initiatives and that programming adheres to the principles of evidence-based practice within a trauma responsive environment. The position provides direct supervision of other leadership positions within the youth center including the Assistant Director position(s), and Program Assistant series staff, School Principal(s), a Clinical Director and contracted behavioral health services. This position identifies, manages, and participates directly in leadership and management efforts aimed at improving youth center operations. Participation in and leading Division wide planning efforts is required. Required is the participation in the DYS Youth Center Director's Group (YCDG) and DYS Senior Leadership Group teams. The Youth Center Director is the 2nd level supervision to all remaining employees at the youth center and serves as liaison to the Division of Facilities Management.Job Duties - Supervision - Supervision of direct reports, Assistant Director(s) and administrative staff as well as all other agencies staff indirectly. Serve as appointing authority for youth center. Set performance standards, conduct performance planning and appraisal of staff, ensure staff professional development needs are met. Initiate and conclude necessary corrective or disciplinary actions. Assure direct and indirect supervisory employees are performing supervision functions with their subordinates consistent with State, Department, Division, and youth center expectations. Monitor and approve formal leave for staff and provide for formal and regular interval evaluations of direct reportstaff and ensure that all other subordinate staff are subject to the same. Make recommendations for promotions. Apply criteria to approve, evaluate and determine appropriate use of personnel resources pursuant to the Colorado Code of Regulations, Department and Division Policy. The position must also work with the CDHS Civil Rights Office, the Child Protection Ombudsman, and the DYS View it, Voice it program related to employee investigations or complaints.Programming - Provides programmatic planning, coordinating, monitoring, evaluation, and oversight to all youth center functions. Responsible for Quality Control and continuous quality improvement for the entire youth center. Provides internal oversight and respond to external auditing and review of youth center programs and processes. Ensures gender specific programming in a trauma informed environment. Ensures programming for youth adheres to evidence-based practice and trauma responsive environments. Ensures that programs meet salient needs of youth including varied recreation, religious interests, and other developmental needs. Provides for social skill development. Ensures programming provides for safe and secure environments for all youth. Provides for sound educational programming that is age appropriate and consistent with the Colorado Department of Education requirements. Provides for medical evaluation, support, or treatment to youth in custody appropriate with their legal status and needs. Provides for adequate and continuing opportunities for youth visitation and family engagement. Provides for clinical treatment services for youth who are committed to DYS custody. Such treatment services, where provided, must meet prevailing standards of care and be individualized for youth. Monitors and oversees all security and treatment functions, including those related to post-assessment youth, regression committed youth and detained youth. Maintain effective working relationships and communication with Judicial District representatives, School District Officials, Contract Providers, Law Enforcement, DYS Client Managers, and Regional Program Managers as needed to facilitate effective bed management in the youth center and transition to the community. Maintains required staffing levels through recruitment, selection, training, scheduling, and retention and according to prevailing standards or ratios.Finance - Develops annual youth center budget based upon assessment of youth center needs and consistent with State, Department, and Division guidelines. Approves and monitor expenditures to assure spending is consistent with budget. Assures appropriate use of resources to best address multiple needs of the youth center. Create partnerships as needed to forward agency interests (e.g. DFM, SB-94). Oversees planning efforts and prioritize expenditures. Monitor according to internal standard revenues and expenditures from the Trust Fund for youth. Plan for supplemental year-end allocations to meet agency needs. Track and administer any recognition or reward monies permissible from personal services funds. Ensure that expenditures are consistent with initial allocation to either personnel or programmatic operating funds. Acts as a signing authority for agency for P Card and checkbooks as necessary or required. Approves or plan for movement of allocation among specific object codes without jeopardizing or violating any encumbrance or contractual agreement. Stay within allocation in personal services funds monitoring vacancy savings, overtime use and holiday accruals. Ensures planning and expenditure of any PREA fund allocation to reduce chances of sexually motivated incidents.Safety and Security - Ensure youth center and personnel provide safe and secure custody for all youth. Inspect and modify or improve architecture or processes to ensure the safety and security of youth including physical, social, psychological, and moral safety. Improve youth center operations by planning for additional or new/improved equipment or processes to assist with safe and secure custody. Provides for oversight and quality control of processes such as youth movement or staffing schedules or distributions in the shift. Oversees unit and room assignments and group composition to assist with safe and secure operations. Oversees and monitor compliance of the Federally Mandated Prison Rape Elimination Act. Oversees and monitors new staff training to ensure acquisition of DYS Safe Practices. Provides structured programming. Provides for and oversees regulated movement and staff spatial positioning. Provides staff continual training to develop and practice necessary verbal and physical skills. Ensure verbal de-escalation practices are consistently applied. Provide staff with trauma responsive training to increase understanding of youth responses or developmental concerns so that their work to intervene may be made more effective. Apply initiatives that are research based and assist in youth behavior management (e.g. Ml, SanctuaryInstitute, VOi... ). Provide for and debrief all incidents for identification of improved/new learning and/or support of good practice.Personnel - Responsible for comprehensive understanding and use of personnel system. Required to assist recruiting efforts, test or evaluate potential candidates, screen and interview, select appropriate staff to advance agency interests, train to specifications of agency, monitor progress, correct performance and correctly apply personnel rule for employees. Position must work closely within other employee supportive structures and processes to include Family Medical Leave, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability. Position must know and assist employees to use CSEAP as needed. Position must correctly apply resources to staff injured on the job. Position must work collegially in partnership with HR, Timekeeping, Benefits, and the Attorney General's Office. Position must recognize and consult with employees correctly on all elements found in the State Personnel Board Rules. Position must work to ensure that staff are evaluated according to prevailing performance management instruments and standards. Position must ensure compliance of Division of Youth Services policies. Position must model, coach, train, teach, mentor, and guide staff directly and ensure such happens for indirect reports with the intent of advancing agency interests and assist with personal job performance improvement. Position ensures a work environment that supports a trauma responsive environment for staff including comprehensive implementation of Safety Plans, Self-Care Plans, and the ReflectiveSupervision Model.Representation - Responsible to represent the agency accurately and professionally in external groups or processes. Responsible for communicating agency interests, needs, outcomes and planning positively and routinely to stakeholders. Position frequently and effectively communicates with their supervisor. Ensures the proper application of statute or regulation regarding the release of information to external parties. Position represents the agency in legal @contexts. Position is knowledgeable and monitors, participates and supports external agencies and processes that positively affect DYS or agency interests such as JSPC groups/SB94 screening teams or local mental health centers as examples. Position serves on specific agency boards as requested or required. Participation in department, division, regional and community planning efforts that affect agency or scope of services overseen is required. Provide escorted educational tours through the building to ensure reasonable public access and understanding or our mission and practices. Facilitate media relations consistent with Department policy. Serve as the leader and facilitator of the youth centermanagement group. Prepare agenda items, analyze discussions for program and personnel impact and seek to advance the goals of the agency in the spirit of cooperation. Participate in broader Division work teams and assist in resolving Division issues as they arise. Attend Youth Center Director's meetings, DYS Senior Leadership Group,and other committee meetings as assigned or elected. Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization using any/all available mediums. Document and share learnings and new information with agency staff.Data and Measurement Systems -Designs, implements, and monitors internal measurement systems to elicit programmatic improvements in safety, security, or general programming. Identifies and corrects deficiencies through a direct or delegated response. Applies process improvement strategies and capture improvements in procedure to legitimize and standardize implemented change. Responds to prevailing data concerns or requests as needed. Employs data to make sound decisions. Develops, implements, tracks, and promulgates goals and measurement systems to all staff and outside stakeholders as necessary. Involves staff in the creation of goals or indicators for the agency.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:

Ten (10) 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 ten (10) years

Special Qualifications:

Secure juvenile custodial expertise which may include knowledge of detention or pretrial programming and/or knowledge of clinical and/or treatment considerations with youth sentenced to long terms, understanding of the Colorado Children's Code or other laws pertaining to juveniles, criminal procedures, and/or SB94 mandates/functions and other prevailing statutory requirements.

Operation of secure custody settings, understanding broad spectrum adolescent development and how this is reflected in daily institutional needs and patterns.

Expertise may include extensive knowledge of best practices for girls programming in a secure setting.

Expertise in maintaining oversight of contractors and acting as liaison for contractors.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience managing large, complex systems or organizations, including multi-site operations and cross-functional teams.

Expert knowledge of Colorado juvenile laws, criminal procedures, and SB 286 implementation.

Direct supervision of Director-level positions, providing leadership, performance oversight, and strategic direction.

Licensed clinician (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent) with administrative experience, particularly in behavioral health or juvenile justice settings or Master of Public Administration (MPA) or equivalent advanced degree in public administration, criminal justice, social work, or a related field.

Experience with contractor oversight and agency liaison responsibilities.

5+ years of supervisory and administrative experience in juvenile justice or secure residential settings with youth under age 21.

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.

Current/Valid and unrestricted Colorado 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.

Travel - Transportation of youth in state vehicles, travel to assigned trainings and/or alternate work sites

On-call Status

MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.

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 (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 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 brennon.watts@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 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 .

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

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

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/

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