Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.

Division of Youth Services

Opt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events!

About the Division of Youth Services: The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, 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 fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State. For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of 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 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: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys

Description of Job

The Youth Center Oversight work unit consists of the Associate Director, the Directors of Youth Center Operations, the DYS Youth and Staff Safety Coordinator, and the DYS/HR Liaison. This work unit is responsible for all aspects of strategic direction, resource allocation, and operational oversight of the Division’s 15 secure youth services centers statewide, including detention, commitment, and multi-purpose facilities.

This position exists to detect crime, collect and analyze evidence, analyze complaints, allegations, and incidents, plan and conduct complete criminal and administrative investigations within the Division of Youth Services, and work with law enforcement when necessary; primarily, but not limited to, conducting independent investigations of assaults, escapes, facility security, and drug interdictions which occur within state-operated secure youth centers. The position prepares the necessary, written reports, and works closely with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office to prosecute when necessary. Conducts investigations related to staff misconduct. Determines when enhanced campus perimeter checks are necessary during periods of elevated risk and acts in accordance with applicable standards. Performs safety and security-related inspections and participates in internal audits. Trains other youth center staff as required to assist in evidence collection and investigative protocols.

This position partners with Appointing Authorities in Youth Centers if any disciplinary action is indicated upon investigations. In addition, this position is required to work closely with the PREA Coordinator, particularly in matters related to standards for investigations of alleged staff sexual misconduct with juveniles.

Specific Duties Include:
This position analyzes complaints, determines authenticity, and validates complaints for the presence of essential elements that constitute a crime under state and federal statutes or an administrative violation under administrative law or policy. Determines the type and level of resources required and based thereon, plans, organizes, and conducts investigations, reporting case initiations and results to the Youth Center Director and/or DYS Executive Leadership. This position further reviews and analyzes documents, statements, and reports to identify witnesses, victims, and suspects and gathers factual information by interviewing suspects, victims, witnesses, and confidential sources, exercises independent judgment and authority in decision-making responsibilities set forth herein. Based upon factual information, prepares documentation for presentation to appropriate law enforcement and prosecuting agency for filing of charges or, in administrative cases, to appointing authorities for a decision on personnel action. Maintains detailed notes and reports in accordance with DYS policy protecting the privacy of clients, witnesses, and victims when and where appropriate.

Selects and interprets appropriate guidelines to achieve a practical solution for an effective investigative plan. Testifies in court and serves as an advisory witness to the District Attorney. Inventories and secures items seized during youth and facility searches, execution of search warrants, and during the routine collection of crime scene evidence consistent with chain of custody legal requirements. Presents reports, affidavits, and documents to the appropriate prosecuting agency when requested. Conducts and/or directs investigations on a continuing basis, including determining and using the resources needed to complete an investigation, assigning tasks to appropriate parties (other staff, law enforcement, etc.), reviewing findings, and writing final reports.

Guides and directs other agency staff, both at crime scenes and during post crime scene investigations, based on DYS and CDHS policies and procedures. Directs, gives assignments to, and monitors assignments of others in evidence gathering, examination, and other investigative techniques. Functions on continual 24-hour on-call status. Supervises gathering and disseminating intelligence information. Lead investigations in internal inquiry cases.

Conducts professional standards investigations, reviews complaints to determine authenticity, and validates the presence of essential elements that constitute possible violations under state and federal law. Selects and interprets appropriate guidelines to achieve a practical solution for an effective investigative plan. Reviews and analyzes documents, statements, videos, and reports to identify witnesses, victims, and suspects. Gathers factual information by interviewing suspects, victims, and witnesses. Based on factual information, prepares thorough investigative reports for presentation to appointing authorities. Testifies in the administrative review, personnel hearings, depositions, and other administrative hearings. Partners with law enforcement and departments of human services at the local level to ensure investigatory activities that include these agencies are well coordinated and executed.

This position enforces state statutes by subduing, detaining, escorting, restraining, and securing youth suspects utilizing approved methods of use of force. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

The Colorado Constitution, Article XII, Section 13 requires that applicants for state classified government jobs be residents of Colorado.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience must be specifically documented on your application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in
  Criminal Justice, Law, Law Enforcement, Police Science, Psychology, Behavioral Science,
  Sociology, or a closely related field.

~AND~

Experience:

• One (1) year of full-time *professional investigative criminal case experience to
  include: criminal report writing, court testimony,
  supervising a crime scene, and proper handling of evidence.

Substitutions:

• College education in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, or Sociology or closely related field will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

The preferred candidate will have demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the following:

• Gang related investigations.
• Intelligence gathering or Intelligence led policing.
• Conducting multi-agency investigations.
• Conducting drug related investigations.
• DOC/DYS client related investigations.
• Professional Standards or Internal Affairs Investigations.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver License
• Full Background - Name check, TRAILS and Fingerprinting
• Traveling to DYS Youth Centers in the Denver metro area and within 70 miles
• On-Call Status - 24 hours, 7 days per week on call responsibility to respond to alleged criminal activities at the youth centers
• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
• Pass CBI and FBI background investigations
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
• Included in the background investigation is a current/previous employer check. Your current and previous employers within the last 10 years must be listed on your application even if the job duties are unrelated to this position. Incomplete employer information (address, phone, supervisor name) or omission of former employers may result in application disqualification.
• 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.
• On or after October 31, 2021, each facility shall ensure all newly hired employees or support staff members are fully vaccinated at the time of hire or receive their first dose of a two-dose protocol, or a single-dose vaccination, prior to providing any care, treatment, or other services for the facility and/or its clients. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of first dose prior to providing care.
• Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
• Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance. If you would like to request a medical or religious exemption, please contact CDHS_HumanResources@state.co.us

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail 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.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

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

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.

Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .

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.

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.