Youth Center Rights Coordinator (CYSO III) - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Youth Center Rights Coordinator (CYSO III) - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

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Youth Center Rights Coordinator (CYSO III) - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Salary

$66,552.00 - $93,192.00 Annually

Location

Grand Junction, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IKA 07067 02/23/2026

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OCYF - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Opening Date

02/23/2026

Closing Date

3/10/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

360 28 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81501, USA

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Melissa.L.Lopez@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

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.

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:

Grand Mesa Youth Services

360 28 Road

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 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. We have many opportunities within DYS to positively impact youth and families.

We invite you to explore the DYS website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado at: www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys . There are numerous opportunities within DYS to positively impact youth and families and we welcome you to join our team.

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

About the position. This position serves as a Youth Center Rights Coordinator. The purpose of the position is to ensure that youth rights are upheld and that all youth are treated with dignity, respect, fairness, and equity. This position ensures compliance with nondiscrimination policies and manages grievances related to discrimination. This position manages complaints, develops policies and provides training to the staff related to youth rights.

This position supports the administration with reporting and leads by example an inclusive work environment based on DYS policies and Youth Rights, ensuring every youth receives the best care and their rights are respected. This position partners with administration and first line supervisors to ensure staff is educated and follows DYS policies related to Youth Rights.

Duties Include but are not limited to the following:

Youth Center Rights Coordinator:

• Review of videos involving physical response, abuse allegations, and youth grievances (if applicable). Additional reviews as required by the Youth Center Administration.
• Collect, review, and respond to youth grievances in accordance with DYS Policy 13.2 Grievance Procedures. Responsible for logging grievances on the tracking form and submitting monthly data to Administration. This form will be submitted to the Youth Center Administration by the 3rd of each month for the previous month's data tracking.
• Oversee and deliver Youth Center training related to PREA, Youth Rights, and other training relevant to youth rights.
• Collaborate with the Youth Center PREA Compliance Manager to gather information and data for internal investigations.
• Serve as the Youth Center Volunteer Coordinator, ensuring compliance with DYS Policy 20.2 Volunteers.
• Facilitate monthly student council meetings, record meeting notes, and report outcomes to Youth Center Administration.
• Facilitate youth and staff restorative processes following investigations or allegations, following DYS Policy 3.14 Personnel Actions Related to Child Abuse.
• Participate in all CRT (Critical Response Team) activities for LGBTQIA2S+ youth, ensuring compliance with DYS Policy 13.9
• Assists Youth Center Administration with data collection for CPO requests.
• Ensures compliance with Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) Policy 2.14 HIPAA Privacy, 2.19 Sensitive and Confidential Information, 2.27 Internal Investigations, and ensures absolute confidentiality in all matters.

Programming and Youth Rights:

• Ensures all basic rights and needs of youth are satisfied and that dignity and respect are demonstrated for all youth regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual preference.
• Reviews Minor Rule Violations and approves proper interventions.
• Ensures youth complete assigned interventions.
• Ensures Minor and Major Rule Violations coincide with prevailing DYS Policy.
• Conducts Major Rule Violation Hearings and provides constructive feedback to staff writing incident reports.
• Upholds due process requirements and implementation of Restorative Community Justice (RCJ) and interventions for all youth.
• Responds to and resolves youth grievances.
• Serves as the primary youth grievance officer to ensure rights, practices and policies are upheld by the staff. Communicate any concerns to the Director and/or designee.
• Responsible for oversight and maintaining youth center programming and ensuring compliance with Youth Rights applicable laws. Ensures all program activities are completed and documented.
• Leads and role models consistent implementation of trauma-responsive tools and interventions, the DYS Strategic Plan, and the DYS Treatment Model. Actively and with positive engagement implements and follows Youth Center programming. Models, supervises, teaches, trains, coaches, and enforces proper implementation of the Youth Center's behavior management program in a positive and professional manner.
• Leads and trains staff in how to facilitate daily Problem-Solving Groups, Sanctuary Psycho-educational Groups, and other skills-based/educational groups. Provides on-the-floor, in-the-moment coaching of staff in Safe Correctional Practices, Trauma Informed Care, and how to establish and build 1:1 rapport.
• Monitor the safety and security of volunteer/contractor activities and vocational programming.
• Ensure positive relationships with teachers and administrators and support educational initiatives or practices.

Documentation/Quality Control:

• Oversees accurate documentation of all daily Youth Center operations, to include assisting in reviewing, writing, training, and implementation of DYS Policies and QAYS Youth Center Standards.
• Ensures completion of documentation for the Youth Center and youth searches.
• Ensures completion of documentation for all unit activities and relevant information on applicable log(s).
• Ensures proper documentation of Suicide Precaution Monitoring (SPM), Individual and Group Growth and Change Plans, NDR status, Seclusion, and Medical Watch, as per DYS Policy.

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:

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
• Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position

Substitutions:

• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

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;
• 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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
• 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.
• Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License
• Shift Work - subject to assigned Shift
• Travel - Transportation of youth in state vehicles travel to assigned training and/or alternate work sites.
• 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.
• 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.

+ 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. 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 a review and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from an eSkills Test.

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 (https://spb.colorado.gov/) website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
• You can find the official appeal form here (https://spb.colorado.gov/sites/spb/files/documents/Consolidated%20Appeal%20-%20Form%20-%202025.pdf) .

+ 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 Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules (https://spb.colorado.gov/board-rules) webpage.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)

Need help with your application? Click here.

The Assessment Process (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#assessment-process)

For additional recruiting questions, please contact Melissa.L.Lopez@state.co.us (brennon.watts@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 (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. 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 (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/medical-benefits) and dental (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/dental-insurance) health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/disability-insurance)
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center (https://stateofcolorado.benefithub.com/app/home)
• 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 (https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs) .

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 agency's 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 Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes I possess a High School Diploma or GED
• No I do not possess a High School Diploma or GED

04

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

• Master's in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).
• Bachelor's degree with Major in (psychology, sociology or criminal justice major or similar field).
• Associate's 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

05

Please describe your experience working in residential treatment, mental health, law enforcement, and / or secure settings. Check all that apply:

• Youth
• Adult
• Detention
• Treatment
• Residential Programs
• Mental Health Facilities
• Law Enforcement
• Military
• Social Work
• Parole and Probation

06

Please indicate the other youth-specific experiences you bring to the table. Check all that apply:

• Mentoring
• Coaching
• Educational Setting
• Behavioral Intervention Programs
• Restitution / Commitment Programs
• Faith-Based Programs
• Other

07

Please check the situations listed below where physically managing a youth would be necessary:

• Swearing at another Youth
• Swearing at an Adult / Authority Figure
• Failing to Comply
• Passive Resistance
• Threatening Behavior
• Damaging Property
• Hurting Themselves or Others
• Other

08

Please describe why you would physically manage youth in the situations above, and the other interventions you would use first or concurrently. If you marked "other" in the list above, please tell us about those situations as well.

09

Our teams provide cognitive, emotional, and behavioral support to our youth both as a function of their daily interactions and through structured programming. Please indicate the areas where you have experience as the person responsible for delivering programming:

• One-on-One Treatment
• Group Treatment
• Drug / Alcohol
• RCJ
• Educational
• Social Skills
• Anger Management
• Evidence-Based Programs
• Other

10

Of these program areas, which have you demonstrated leadership in by developing the program or leading change? What outcome were you seeking and how did you accomplish it?

11

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.)

12

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

13

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).

14

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/

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