Youth Center Assistant Superintendent - Program Management II - Grand Mesa Youth Service Center

Youth Center Assistant Superintendent - Program Management II - Grand Mesa Youth Service Center

Salary

$96,852.00 - $154,968.00 Annually

Location

Grand Junction, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IKA 05683 8/26/2026

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OCYF - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Opening Date

09/17/2026

Closing Date

10/1/2026 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

melissa.l.lopez@state.co.us

Salary Note

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

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

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.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Physical Job location:

Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

360 28 Rd.

Grand Junction, CO 81501

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 Sanctuary Commitments and the Colorado Model. 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
• Growth and Change.

By grounding our programs in the Commitments, Colorado Model, DYS programs supervise, assess, treat and successfully transition youth back into the community. DYS serves delinquent youth from ages 10-21 that are committed to the CDHS, DYS. Youth may be committed to DYS if they are adjudicated for crimes committed prior to their 18th birthday and may remain under DYS jurisdiction until age 21. DYS provides supervision, residential treatment, and community-based parole aftercare services to committed youth until their parole is complete. Youth centers contain schools to meet the statutory responsibility to educate youth in confinement as well as kitchens for meal production. A medical clinic is also contained in the youth

center, as is food preparation, recreation and dining space. All facilities must operate within Colorado Revised Statute(s) and the Colorado Children's Code.

Description of Job

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

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

Purpose of Position -This position is an Appointing Authority as delegated by the Youth Center Director. Reports to the Division as necessary or

required, regarding the status or progress of the agency. The position implements DYS initiatives to include a trauma responsive environment, behavior management and/or treatment models. The position provides direct supervision of other supervisory and management positions to include Youth Service Specialist IIIs (YSSIII), Youth Service Counselor III (YSCIII), medical and food services managers as assigned by the Youth Center Director. Responsible for identifying, managing, and/or participating directly in leadership and management efforts aimed at improving youth center operations

including implementation of the DYS strategic plan. This position participates in the Youth Center Assistant Directors Group (ADG); provides indirect supervision to all remaining employees; has on-call responsibilities; and, may serve as the liaison to the Facilities Management Division.

Job Duties -

Supervision - Supervision of direct care supervisory staff and assigned program area managers as well as indirect supervision of all

other agency staff. Serves as the Appointing Authority for assigned areas; sets performance standards; conducts performance planning and appraisal of staff; and, ensures subordinate staff development needs are met. Initiates and concludes necessary corrective or disciplinary actions. Ensures direct and indirect supervisory employees are performing supervision functions with their direct reports consistent with State, Department, Division, and Youth Center expectations. Specifically ensures that the Reflective Supervision Model is implemented as designed and trained to aid in mentoring and coaching of all DYS staff within the youth center. Monitors and approves formal leaves of absence for staff and provides formal and regular interval performance evaluations of direct report staff ensuring all other staff are subject to the same procedures. Makes recommendations for promotions, applies criteria to approve, evaluate, and determine appropriate use of personnel resources pursuant to the Colorado Code of Regulations, Department, and Division policy. Responsible for ensuring all statutes and policy related to the use of seclusion and physical response are followed. Ensure quality program services

Program Implementation - Provides programmatic planning, coordinating, monitoring, evaluation, and oversight to assigned youth center

functions. Responsible for quality control and continuous quality improvement for assigned youth center areas with the goal of operating healthy trauma-responsive organizational environment as demonstrated through prosocial, safe, and non-violent interactions. The quality assurance and improvement process is aligned to DYS Policy, Compliance Review Standards, Statutes and approved practices. Implements the DYS Strategic Plan to include, but not limited to, understanding the impact of trauma, skills development, small teams, safety and self care plans, calming spaces, group processes, DYS Behavior Expectations, Incident Debriefings, use of positive reinforcement, psychoeducation and/or treatment groups. Partners with

behavioral health, direct care, and other administrative supervisory staff to ensure quality programming. Maintains effective working relationships and communication with School District Officials, Contract Providers, Detention Screening Agencies, Law Enforcement, DYS Client Managers, Regional Program Managers, Central Office Managers/staff, and DYS Leadership Team to facilitate effective bed management in the youth center and youth

transition from the center. Maintains required staffing levels according to prevailing standards and ratios through recruitment, selection, training, scheduling and retention of employees.

Finance - Works with Youth Center Director to develop annual budget based upon assessment of needs consistent with State, Department, and Division guidelines. Approves and monitors expenditures to assure spending is consistent with budget. Assures the appropriate use of resources to best address multiple needs of the youth center. Creates partnerships as needed to forward agency interests (e.g. DFM). Tracks and administers any recognition or reward monies permissible from personnel funds. Acts as a signing authority for agency for P card and checkbooks as necessary or required. Approves or plans for movement of allocation among specific job codes without jeopardizing or violating any encumbered or contractual agreement with the Youth Center Director. Stays within the allocation in personnel funds monitoring vacancy savings, overtime usage and holiday accruals. Plans of any PREA fund allocation to prevent sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct.

Safe Environments - Ensures that the youth center and personnel are providing safe and secure care for all youth. Inspects and modifies or improves architecture or processes to ensure safety and security. Improves youth center operations by planning for additional or new/improved equipment or processes to assist with safe and secure custody. Provides staff with functioning equipment such as radios/microphones, restraint equipment, convex mirroring or video recording, to improve safety and security. Provides for oversight and quality control of processes such as youth movement or staffing schedules and distributions in the shift. Oversees unit and room assignments or group composition to assist with safe and secure operation. Oversees and monitor compliance of the Federally Mandated Prison Rape Elimination Act. Oversees and monitors new staff training to ensure attainment of Safe Practices. Oversees, with Youth Center Director, structured, engaging and trauma responsive programming. Provides for and oversees regulated movement and staff spatial positioning. Provides staff continual training to develop and practice both verbal de-escalation and physical response skills. Ensures verbal de-escalation practices are consistently applied. Provides staff training to increase their understanding of youth responses or developmental concerns so that their work to intervene may be made more effective and therefore, safer. Assists Youth Center Director in the implementation of Division initiatives to include creating a trauma responsive environment and providing staff the training, coaching and mentoring ensuring safety in the youth center. Ensures training of staff occurs per DYS Policy 4.1 at a minimum with specific agency training as indicated.

Personnel - Responsible for comprehensive understanding and application of state personnel board rules. Required to assist in recruiting efforts including testing and evaluating potential candidates, screening, interviewing, and selecting appropriate staff to advance the interests of the agency; training to specifications of agency; monitoring progress; correcting performance; and, applying appropriate State Personnel Board Board Rule for employees. Required to work closely with other employee supportive structures and processes to include Family Medical Leave (FML), Short-Term Disability (STD), and Long-Term Disability (LTD). Advises employees regarding the employee assistance program (C-SEAP) as needed. Position correctly applies resources to staff injured on the job, works collegially with HR, Timekeeping, Benefits, and the Attorney General's Office. Position recognizes, consults with and correctly employs all elements found in the Code of Colorado Regulations or prevailing Personnel Rules. Position works to ensure that staff are evaluated according to prevailing instruments and standards. Position ensures compliance with DYS Policies. Position models, coaches, trains, teaches, mentors, and guides staff directly and ensures the same happens for indirect reports with the intent of advancing agency interests and assisting with personal job performance improvement. Addresses the training needs of staff to deal with the serious mental health needs of detained and/or committed youth. Position ensures a work environment that supports a trauma responsive environment for staff.

Representation -Position may serve, as assigned by the Youth Center Director, on specific agency boards as requested or required. Participates in department, division, regional and community processes that affect agency or scope of services overseen. Provides for escorted educational tours through the building to ensure reasonable public access and understanding of our mission and practices. Participates in broader Division work teams and assists in resolving Division issues as they arise and as assigned by the Youth Center Director. Attends Assistant Director's meetings or other committee meetings as assigned or elected. Communicates effectively with all levels of the organization using any/all available mediums. Documents and share learnings and new information with agency staff. Ensures that constitutional and legal rights of youth in custody are not violated. Maintains community contacts with parents, families, judges, vendors to affect residential adjustment or community transition of students. Maintains Law Enforcement contact to communicate DYS Policies and Procedures, train new youth services specialists and facilitate criminal investigations. Co-leads the application of current theory of trauma responsive treatment of juveniles to ensure effective programming.

Data and Measurement Systems - With guidance from Youth Center Director, drafts, implements and monitors internal measurement systems designed to elicit programmatic improvements in safety and general programming. Data collection specific to fights, assaults, staffing, seclusion, physical response, injuries, criticals and other areas should be kept, reported on and intervened by the Director and Assistant Director. Identify and correct areas identified through a direct or delegated response. Applies process improvement strategies and captures improvements in procedure to legitimize and standardize implemented change. Responds to prevailing data concerns or requests as needed. Employs data to make sound decisions.

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:

• Nine (9) years of professional experience in corrections, law enforcement, probation/parole, or another area of public safety.

~Or~

Education and Experience:

• Nine (9) years of professional experience in corrections, law enforcement, probation/parole, or another area of public safety, or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to manage operations within a secure trauma responsive environment.

Highly Desired Professional Experience includes, but is not limited to:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of supervisory and administrative experience in juvenile justice or secure residential settings.

• Experience with quality assurance oversight and accountability.

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

• Expert knowledge of Colorado juvenile laws, criminal procedures, and state personnel board rules.

• Experience with contractor oversight and agency liaison responsibilities.

• Direct supervision of leadership positions, providing coaching and mentoring, performance oversight, and strategic direction.

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).
• 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.
• 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
• Out-of-State Driver's License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of employment start date.
• On-call Status: Administrative duties as needed, on rotating basis
• 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 - Training, meetings, and other travel may be required
• 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 website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.

• You can find the official appeal form here.

• 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 Directors Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact melissa.l.lopez@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 (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 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

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• 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.

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.

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

A condition of employment requires applicants to be 21 years of age or older. Do you meet this condition?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a current, valid, unrestricted CO Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

03

Please tell us what level of education you currently have completed and the associated major based on the selections below.

• Masters in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).
• Bachelors degree with Major in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).
• Associates degree with Major in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).
• Completed College Degree in unrelated field - Incomplete degree in related field
• Completed HS/GED - Incomplete college degree in unrelated field

04

Please describe your formal supervisory and leadership experience. Include the types of staff supervised and the scope of your responsibilities. In your response, please provide your experience with personnel management, professional development, and performance management.

05

Please describe in detail your administrative experience. Include details of experience with strategic planning, program development and implementation, operational oversight, policy implementation, safety and security, incident response and program administration. Provide examples that demonstrate your ability to lead initiatives, manage resources, foster collaboration, and work towards achieving outcomes in support of an organizations mission and objectives.

06

Describe your experience creating and maintaining a culture of accountability, safety, and professionalism. How do you balance support for staff with holding them accountable to expectations?

07

Organizational change is a critical responsibility of leadership. Please describe the essential elements of effective change management and provide an example of a significant change initiative you led or supported. Include what your role was, challenges encountered, strategies utilized, and outcomes achieved.

08

This position requires you to manage several different responsibilities such as supervision, safety, security, policy, operations, and internal/external stakeholder relationships. Please describe how you would prioritize your responsibilities in this position. Give a specific example of how you've managed different responsibilities in a past role.

09

What are three attributes you value most in a quality administrative team? Describe how you would contribute to those attributes.

10

Describe a time when you had to deal with a low-performing employee or handle a conflict within your administrative team. What steps did you take to resolve it and what was the outcome?

11

If you are a Veteran and you are requesting Veterans Preference you must upload your DD-214 or VA letter to your application.

• I am not a Veteran
• I have uploaded my Veteran Preference documents (DD214 or VA letter)
• I am a Veteran, but not requesting Veterans preference

12

The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

• This information is available to me and I have read this information
• I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

13

Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting your application.

• Yes
• No

14

If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997…). Your application may be considered incomplete if you do not provide this information. An incomplete application may not move forward in the Selection process. If you are a former or current state employee, please identify what state agency you work(ed) with and how many years of relevant state service you have related to the position you are applying for. (Ensure this is listed on your application under work experience).

15

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify your application from the current position.

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/