Behavioral Health Services Manager - Clinical Team Leader for Behavioral Health & Medical Services

Behavioral Health Services Manager

The Behavioral Health Services Manager provides oversight of behavioral health operations across youth centers within the Division of Youth Services (DYS). Success in this role requires a strong foundation of professional competencies that ensure consistent, high-quality mental health services for detained and committed youth.

Key Competencies

Leadership and Supervision : Ability to guide and support Clinical Directors, ensuring consistent oversight and professional growth across three positions.

Operational Oversight : Skilled in managing behavioral health operations at the youth center level, including referrals, transfers, and compliance with Colorado law.

Clinical Expertise : Deep understanding of adolescent behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based treatment approaches.

Collaboration and Communication : Strong capacity to maintain ongoing communication with Youth Center administration, regional leadership, courts, and external stakeholders regarding assessment, treatment, and transition planning.

Strategic Thinking : Ability to participate in division-wide committees and management meetings, contributing to system-level improvements in behavioral health services.

Adaptability : Flexibility to adjust oversight as population needs evolve, ensuring continuity of care and responsiveness to changing demands.

Values Alignment : Commitment to advancing behavioral health services that reflect DYS values and philosophy, prioritizing safety, security, and positive outcomes for youth.

Preferred Attributes

Cultural Responsiveness : Demonstrates sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and experiences of youth and families.

Resilience : Maintains composure and effectiveness in high-stress or crisis situations.

Innovation : Identifies opportunities to improve behavioral health practices and implements creative solutions.

Integrity : Upholds ethical standards and transparency in decision-making and supervision.

Mentorship : Invests in the professional development of staff, fostering a culture of growth and accountability.

Job Duties

Clinical Supervision / Oversight and Professional Development :

Directs the supervision activities of a comprehensive program for all youth within state-owned and operated Division of Youth Services facilities. Monitors the quality and quantity of work of the Clinical Directors positions, to ensure the treatment provided is evidence-based and effective. Provides clinical positions with formal clinical supervision and formal performance reviews. In addition, this position oversees contractors assigned to this work unit if applicable. It also assures compliance with court orders, Division of Youth Services audit standards, Division of Youth Services policies and procedures, facility implementing procedures, and the Colorado Children's Code.

This position clinically supervises and oversees the technical and qualitative aspects of Behavioral Health Services for the Division of Youth Services. This position provides formal clinical supervision to the assigned clinical positions and is responsible for PMP feedback and evaluation regarding job performance at the middle and end of each fiscal year. There are currently 17 detention clinical positions within DYS facilities, and this number is likely to increase based on the significant needs of the population served by DYS. This position plans for and directs the professional development of the Clinical Directors, trains relevant standards of policy and procedure, and supervises the clinical competencies of the clinical directors. This includes reviewing supervisory notes, clinical notes, and documentation of treatment processes and effectiveness.

Keeps current on all legal, qualitative, and professional requirements related to the position. Maintains all licensure and certifications required by the position. Participates in formal and informal opportunities to improve job performance. Participates in agency team meetings, clinical and assessment meetings, group consultation, and regional meetings as required. Serves as clinical representative to various DYS and / or community agency / stakeholder task force committees. Participates in the exchange of information, collaborative program advancement and recommendations aimed at improving Behavioral Health Services.

Program Development and Communication / Training :

This position ensures the oversight and application of appropriate, reliable, and accurate clinical practices. Plans, develops, and audits procedures to assure that the Division of Youth Services standards are met, interprets and applies standards to the workplace, apprises supervisor of issues related to the above duties. Responsible for researching and coordinating training sessions designed to promote Behavioral Health professional job development. This position works closely with other members of the BHMS Central Office to review and update statewide assessment and treatment practices, providing ongoing recommendations for evidence-based treatment practices as needed.

Leadership and Clinical Expertise and Support :

Serves as the Behavioral Health Services Manager clinical team leader to the Behavioral Health and Medical Services unit which includes membership of various committees designed to participate in the exchange of information, collaborate on proposal development and collaborate regarding programming recommendations. Serves on the Behavioral Health Management Team, which supports agency goal implementation and sustainability in collaboration with the other members of the team. Role models throughout the DYS community in regard to the DYS 7 Commitments and Key Strategies, as well as trauma informed environments. The Behavioral Health Services Manager plays a critical role in shaping the quality and consistency of behavioral health care across youth centers within the Division of Youth Services. By ensuring effective oversight, supervision, and alignment with DYS values, this position directly influences the well-being and rehabilitation of detained and committed youth.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only : Eleven (11) 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 to this position equal to eleven (11) years.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree or higher in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related behavioral health field. Current and valid Colorado licensure as a psychologist, professional counselor, clinical social worker, or equivalent. Management skills required for a diverse organizational structure. Five or more years of experience providing clinical services in behavioral health settings. Three or more years of supervisory or management experience overseeing clinical staff or programs. Experience related to formal training associated with assessment and treatment of youth with juvenile justice involvement and neuropsychological impairment. In-depth knowledge of state regulatory policies and procedures associated with mental health and assessment. Extensive knowledge of the mental health system and the juvenile justice system. 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 Check, if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training / meetings / client visits / etc. Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border. Out-of-State Driver's License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of employment start date. Travel the work requires occasional travel to oversee the unit's auditing and monitoring functions or liaison with community partners and facilities; travel may occur any day of the week. 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. 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. 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.

Contact Information

For additional recruiting questions, please contact Isaac.Phelps@state.co.us