Correctional Youth Security Officer II -Phoenix Youth Service Center

Correctional Youth Security Officer II - Phoenix Youth Service Center

Salary : $2,276.31 - $3,186.46 Biweekly

Location : Lakewood, CO

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : IKA 05083

Department : Colorado Department of Human Services

Division : OCYF - Mount View Youth Services Center

Opening Date : 10 / 13 / 2025

FLSA Status : Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.

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 DYS is 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. There are numerous opportunities within DYS to positively impact youth and families. 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.

Description of Job

We want to hire you if :

• You have a passion for youth and a desire to improve your community
• You love learning new skills and teaching them to others
• You desire a job that teaches you what safe supervision is all about physical, social, psychological, and moral
• You thrive on developing healthy relationships, professionalism, and teamwork

About the Position

This position is a direct care / essential role that provides direct and engaging supervision of youth in DYS State Operated Secure Facilities. Specific duties and expectations are :

Safety / Security : Work involves providing direct care, safety, security, and supervision of adjudicated and / or pre-adjudicated youth in a secure setting. Monitor, participate, support, and enforce behavioral management plans for individual youth as directed (e.g. Behavioral Contracts, Individual Growth and Change Plans). Duties include supervision of youth or group of youth, supervision of daily activities, youth orientation, intervention in crisis situations, non-escalation, de-escalation, use of physical response / restraint in emergency situations, debriefing of all incidents, and conducting searches.

Youth Center Programming : Actively and with positive engagement, implement and follow the Youth Center's behavioral management program, teach, coach, and redirect youth within the program. Support DYS initiatives and strategies as they relate to youth programming and crisis intervention.

Documentation / Recording and Reporting : Document observations of youth behavior and response to program(s) and document all unit activities and required information in appropriate logs and records systems. Document all youth group activities in appropriate database systems.

Organizational Accountability : Through all communications and behaviors demonstrate, support, and contribute to a healthy, positive, and respectful cultural climate throughout the Youth Center by adhering to our organizational values of Nonviolence, Open Communication, Social Responsibility, Growth and Change, Social Learning, Democracy, and Emotional Intelligence. Requirement to adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct, DYS Compliance Review Standards, and CDHS and DYS policies.

Training. Complete DYS Pre-Service training academy, Youth Center training, and orientation process as a new employee. Some travel may be required. Complete all assigned online training, and maintain and support the Division's prevailing behavior management and intervention strategies. Training will help you learn problem-solving, the development of relationships with youth grounded in solid boundaries, how to teach skills to youth to decrease further risk and need, and a better understanding of trauma, behavioral health, and high-risk behavior.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education / Licensure / Certification / Experience :

These positions are not sedentary positions. Employees are typically on their feet during the entire shift. Youth living quarters are located on multiple levels and employees must frequently climb stairs in the performance of job duties. Please take into account your physical ability in relation to the essential job duties when applying for the job. Employees must also be willing and able to physically intervene with assaultive youth.

Preferred Qualifications

College education in a behavioral health and / or juvenile justice-related field. Experience working with adjudicated and / or detained youth within a secure residential facility and / or a behavioral health setting; Experience facilitating psychoeducational groups; Education / experience working with adolescents who have trauma; Experience working with youth in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching. Experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques. Relevant years of state service experience.

Highly Desirable Competencies

Work Environment

Employees are required to work shift hours. This includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may vary between agencies and may include eight (8) hours, ten (10) hours, or twelve (12) hours in duration. Mandatory overtime may be required. Day shift work is not usually available. As a Correctional Youth Security Officer, your position is considered essential and you may be required to report to work during inclement weather.

Conditions of Employment