Summary

The DYS Director serves as the highest-ranking program administrator, overseeing daily operations, strategic planning, and policy implementation across all state-operated and private youth services programs. This position defines the Division’s mission, vision, goals, and strategic objectives, ensuring alignment with the DYS Five Key Strategies and Core Values

Description

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

Position Overview
The Division of Youth Services (DYS) is a key component of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF). The DYS Director’s Office is responsible for the strategic oversight and administration of all central Division activities. It ensures the effective management and operation of fourteen (14) state-operated facilities and a network of privately contracted residential and non-residential services for detained and committed youth. In addition to institutional oversight, DYS administers a comprehensive, community-based system that encompasses case management, parole services, and the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum (CYDC) Community-Based Detention Services. The Director’s Office plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining high standards for service delivery ensuring policy and procedural compliance

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Innovation:

Position develops and implements short-term and long-term strategic goals and objectives for the Division, ensuring alignment with the Department’s overall mission, values, and strategic plans and with industry best practices. Provides a client-focused, data-driven, and evidence-based approach to ensure quality services, including education, health, and mental health services, to our youth clients. Provides a forum and leadership to the strategic planning process by assuring there are work plans, timeframes, objectives, measurements, and individuals responsible. Meets regularly with Division staff to assess progress toward goals and provide feedback and direction. Modifies plans as needed. Designs and implements organization structure and procedures to ensure optional effectiveness and efficiency. The position approves new programs or initiatives within the Division. Oversees development of annual state plans, if applicable. The position collaborates with other Offices within CDHS and OCYF Divisions, particularly the Division of Child Welfare

Supervision and Professional development:

Serves as the Appointing Authority for the entire Division and is responsible for hiring, corrective, disciplinary, and promotion decisions of Division staff. Position delegates Appointing Authority status to other Division managers The position directly supervises Division management staff and indirectly supervises all Division employees. Provides performance management through establishing and communicating performance standards and measures and regular performance evaluation, feedback, and coaching. Addresses performance issues in a timely manner. Effectively recognizes high performers. Regularly evaluates staff for needed development areas and provides opportunities for professional growth. Provides oversight of all Department.Offices Supervisory Personnel: supervision, timekeeping, progressive discipline (inclusive of issuing Corrective/Disciplinary Actions and conducting Personnel Board Rule 6-10 Meetings), second level signature of performance planning and appraisal (PMAP), training and staff competency, etc. Completes corrective and or disciplinary actions. Position has thorough knowledge of State Personnel Rules and related CDHS/CMHIFL policies. Ensures human resources are utilized in optimum fashion with creative and accountable actions by supervisors.

Policy Analysis/Development:

Develops and implements Division policies that are consistent with the strategic plan. Policy development and implementation includes preparing Division policies, drafting regulatory and legislative language, soliciting input from stakeholder groups, analyzing policy options, and obtaining feedback from stakeholder groups. Oversees the review and analysis of state and federal law, potential legislation changes to rules, trends, strategic objectives, and political climate to determine any impact on the Division’s programs, policies, and procedures. Briefs Office Director and Executive Director regularly regarding potential legislative impacts or need for new legislative initiatives. Manages legislative impacts on the Division’s programs, including drafting and supporting new legislation related to the Division through testimony when required

Fiscal Management:

The position is responsible for developing and overseeing the Division's long-term and short-term financial management. It provides oversight and direction for the Division’s budget to ensure resources are efficiently and effectively utilized. The position develops and defends budget and FTE requests to the Executive Director, Executive Management Team, Governor’s Office, and/or legislative committees. It also approves and oversees contract management related to the Division’s programs and/or services.

Program Evaluation/Compliance:

Oversees evaluation activities related to the Division, including developing and analyzing criteria to ensure programs meet intended outcomes and support continuous quality improvement initiatives. Discusses the Division’s performance outcome data and improvement strategies at C-stat meetings. Ensures that programs are administered in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations through performance management, evaluation, and/or on-site monitoring activities, if applicable. Evaluate the relevance and importance of the DYS’s theories, concepts, and principles to tailor them to develop a different approach or plan to fit specific circumstances. Applies known and established project management theory, principles, and conceptual models to meet an individual’s needs and situation.

External Leadership/Representation:

Represents the Division to the General Assembly, county partners, community and collaborative groups, national councils and advisory boards, other stakeholders, and the general public as needed. Actively participates in meetings, committees, and task forces designated by the Office Director and/or Executive Director relevant to the Division. Effectively communicates the Division’s mission, objectives, policies, and procedures to external stakeholders, the media, and the public. Exhibits leadership to outside agencies to coordinate program implementation or service delivery and to address issues or problems in the Division’s programs or services

Other duties as assigned:

Performs additional duties as assigned in alignment with CDHS and DYS priorities

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

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. "See resume" or "see attached" statements in the work experience section will not be accepted in lieu of the official application form.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & APPEAL RIGHTS:

Experience Only:
Ten (10) years of experience in the juvenile justice system. Including five (5) years of experience working in a leadership/management role. Or a closely related field.. Two (2) of which must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives

Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to ten (10) years, two (2) of which must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives

Preferred Qualifications:

A minimum of 5 years experience supervising employees in a professional setting, including at least a significant amount of experience providing formal training, coaching, or mentoring to other professionals.
Experience overseeing budget planning, forecasting, and long-term financial sustainability, with the ability to advocate for funding improvements and policy changes to align resources with the agency's mission
Expert knowledge of Colorado juvenile laws, criminal procedures, and SB 286 implementation.
Licensed clinician (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent) with administrative experience, particularly in behavioral health or juvenile justice settings or Master of Public Administration (MPA) or equivalent advanced degree in public administration, criminal justice, social work, or a related field.
Experience managing and directing administrative processes in a governmental, organization which includes the ability to develop proven interagency relationships with local, state and federal agencies.
Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, developing an organization-wide strategy for program excellence, engaging community partners, and partnering with Senior Executives.
Strong understanding of Colorado’s Juvenile Justice System, CDHS policies and procedures, and statewide human services regulations.
Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and legislative bodies.
Advanced degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in criminal justice, social work, public administration, or a related field.
Significant experience managing large operating budgets and overseeing complex financial operations.
Extensive knowledge of evidence-based practices in youth rehabilitation and juvenile justice.
Experience working with diverse populations and addressing issues of equity and inclusion

Conditions of Employment:

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges.
Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
Travel -Frequent travel throughout the State of Colorado and occasional out-of-state travel
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.
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

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

Link to: How to Apply

Link to: The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact Brennon.Watts@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.
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.