CORRECTIONAL, YOUTH, OR CLINICAL SECURITY OFFICER I- Golden Peak

at  State of Colorado Job Opportunities

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the location below.
This position has a residency waiver and will be accepting applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado. This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete. If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado prior to their start date, at their own expense.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

DESCRIPTION OF JOB

This announcement may fill This announcement may fill Day Shift, Swing Shift, and Night Shift
Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.
This position provides 24-hour/7 days per week supervision of youth in DYS State Operated Secure Facilities. This position is direct-care and essential. To maintain safety and security through appropriate supervision of youth, to organize and direct daily living and leisure activities of youth, in accordance with the living unit master schedule, shift supervisor and/or other administrative direction. Provide corrective cognitive, emotional or behavioral experiences within a youth center program using a trauma responsive approach. To be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DYS Policy, DYS Audit Standards and youth center specific procedure. Specific duties and expectations of the job are detailed in the 5 sections below: Safety/Security; Programming; Documentation/Recording and Reporting; Training; and Organizational Accountability.
Safety/Security. Work involves providing the direct care, safety, security and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated youth in a secure setting. Supervision for safety is a function of appropriate staff location, mobility and continual observation of youth. Enforce established security rules and behavioral expectations with a youth or group of youths, supervise and direct daily living and leisure activities, orient youth to the unit/facility and agency rules and routines, intervene early in potentially, or actively, volatile situations. Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations. Employ sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible crises taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all youth and staff. Participate in defusing and debriefing of all incidents pursuant to prevailing DYS Policy. Monitor movement of youth on the unit or throughout the agency, escort and transport to activities or appointments internal and/or external to the agency. Conduct pat searches, personal searches, and full searches for contraband items in accordance with DYS Policy. Conduct searches of persons, property, or areas according to schedule or as needed. Identify, document, and seize contraband as directed or appropriate in accordance with DYS policy. Check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms, as well as youth center grounds and perimeter to minimize escape risk and promote safety. Inspect common areas and youth center living units to maintain health, safety and sanitation standards. Adhere to all Suicide Prevention Monitoring (SPM) Policies and Standards. Monitor and document SPM status, medical watches or other special observation status youth, in accordance with timeframes as noted on Room Check Sheet(s). Implement safety plans and behavior agreements for those youth at high risk of hurting themselves or others or demonstrating other serious behavioral concerns. Actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills, use a strength-based approach, and interact with all youth and staff in a positive and respectful manner. Use conflict management and de-escalation skills and, in emergencies, when youth poses a serious, probable, imminent threat to self or others, use approved physical response techniques when all other interventions have failed. Place youth on seclusion pursuant to prevailing DYS Policy. Monitor, participate, support and enforce behavioral management plans for individual youth as directed (e.g. Behavioral Contracts, Individual Growth and Change Plans). Actively supervise youth to prevent sexual contact and sexual harassment and adhere to all PREA Policies and Federal Standards. Adhere to and reinforce established DYS rules, policies, and procedures and utilize proper protocols when responding to critical incidents, physical altercations, medical emergencies, fire drills and other incidents.
Youth Center Programming. Actively and with positive engagement, implement and follow the facility behavioral management program. Teach, coach, and redirect youth within the behavior management program and role model prosocial behavior at all times. Conduct problem solving, appreciation, pre/post activity groups, psycho-educational groups and individualized skill building as needed to support a safe environment conducive to learning and consistent with DYS behavioral expectations. Communicate expectations for behavior, events, rules, or other milieu requirements. Provide supervision and support of community transition/reintegration opportunities for youth. Use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with youth, overcome resistance to change, communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances. Support restorative community justice principles and/or activities. Facilitate psychoeducation, skill development, recreation and other youth groups and activities. Support DYS initiatives and strategies as they relate to juvenile programming and crisis intervention. Objectively and fairly monitor and record youth behaviors, as well as intervene according to prevailing program standards related to privileges and consequences. Follow the daily program schedule based on prevailing standards. Support treatment and case plan goals and objectives developed by the Behavioral Health and Medical Services unit. Recognize, implement, monitor, observe and document juvenile IGCP (Individual Growth and Change Plans in accordance with the written program. Recommend any modifications of program to supervisory and/or clinical staff. Facilitate and monitor the cleanup of living units and rooms, as well as inspect the youth center, according to daily schedule. Monitor and ensure youth hygiene is provided for according to prevailing procedure. Routinely and equitably distribute linen and clothing to ensure good hygiene practice. Make requests to ensure hygienic standards are met, as necessary. See that youth consume all hygienic resources wisely and limit wasteful uses by youth. Ensure youth are provided access to meals. Monitor meal provision and consumption in accordance with time standards. Document and/or record meals as required. Ensure that youth are provided confidential access to grievances, medical and behavioral health services as needed/requested. Distribute youth medications and document the distribution of medications as specified in DYS Policy. Support and respond to youth to meet their presenting needs and address their concerns appropriately. Uphold basic rights of juveniles pursuant to prevailing law or policy. Support and ensure that youth are provided access to recreation according to prevailing standards, youth physical condition, and daily program schedule. Provide orientation for newly admitted youth within 24 hours of admission according to prevailing orientation standards as assigned. Provide support to educational programming as requested and assigned.
Documentation/Recording and Reporting. Document observations of youth behavior and response to program(s). Complete documentation of facility and youth searches. Document all unit activities and relevant information on the daily shift log. Record Suicide Precaution Monitoring (SPM) and Special Management Program (SMP) Status and Medical Watch based on the assigned time intervals or frequency for the specific youth. Complete Extended Risk Assessment Forms as assigned by designated staff.
Document all youth group activities in the TRAILS database. Generate and document Incident Reports as required by DYS Policy. Notify and complete all forms relevant to youth incident reports. Observe and document youth behaviors on seclusion status. Report and document any physical plant deficiencies or safety concerns.
All staff must report known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to State statute. Review and record all legal documentation and record required information in the youth’s file (hard copy) and the TRAILS database. Inventory and record youth property during admission, any or all releases and any other access or change to that property. Document the receipt and release of all youth medication(s) as appropriate. This documentation shall include the notification of all internal and external parties. Generate and record all VINE information in the TRAILS database, unless otherwise directed. Complete and record accurate youth room classification information pursuant to DYS Policy. Notify and communicate all relevant youth information to the receiving unit staff. Complete, record and provide all necessary youth information on the Critical Information Advisement form and provide to all receiving parties. Ensure required suicide risk assessments are completed within two hours of admission for all newly detained and committed or recommitted youth. Notify and complete all forms relevant to High Profile youth admissions.
Organizational Accountability. Through all communications and behaviors employee demonstrates, supports, and contributes to a healthy, positive and respectful cultural climate throughout the facility. Communicates with internal/external customers, residents, subordinate staff, and co-workers in a professional manner; communicating with respect and dignity. Adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct and 7 Commitments and support the 5 Key Strategies. Be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DYS Policy, DYS Audit Standards and Implementing Procedures. Adheres to CDHS, DYS Policy, and Youth Center Implementing Procedures regarding work schedule, timekeeping, and leave practices. Complete other duties as assigned and follow supervisor’s requests and directives within Colorado Revised Statutes, CDHS and DYS Policies and Procedures.
Training. Attend and actively participate in all assigned training and successfully complete any/all testing or other requirements for such training. Maintain required certifications as appropriate. Successful completion may be known or recorded by score or demonstration of skill. Meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing DYS Policy. Successfully complete DYS Pre-Service, Facility Training and Orientation process as a new employee. Maintain and support the Division’s prevailing behavior management and intervention strategies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or General Education Diploma, (GED).
Substitutions: None
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 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.

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(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.

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.