Behavioral Health Specialist III - Golden Peak Youth ...

Department InformationThis position has a residency waiver and will be accepting applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado.Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.Division of Youth ServicesGolden Peak Youth Services CenterOpt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events!CDHSCareersAbout 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: WhyDescription of JobAbout the Work Unit:This work unit exists to provide clinical services to committed males in a secure facility. It provides individual, family and group services in support of and in alignment with the Division of Youth Services (DYS) strategic plan and within a trauma informed environment. This work unit identifies youth needs and develops interventions to mitigate risk and enhance protective factors to ensure successful reintegration into the community. It works collaboratively with milieu staff, education, family, client management, and community stakeholders to provide evidence based services to complex youth.Summary of the Position:This position exists to provide clinical services to youth in the facility that experience complex mental health, trauma, substance abuse, and other related issues. In addition, this position is experienced in addressing criminogenic risk factors in adolescent population as well as family interventions. This unit will understand criminal conduct in adolescents and be able to treat the youth from the perspective of lowering the criminogenic risks and increasing protective factors the youth presents with and addressing the relationship between mental health issues and criminal conduct. This position is skilled in the use of a strength based perspective, systems theory, and trauma informed care.This position exists to provide approved treatment services to youth who have engaged in delinquent behaviors, in a secure state operated treatment facility. This position provides treatment planning, individual, family and group counseling, ongoing assessment, case management, record keeping, and service coordination in conjunction with a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) responsible for the overall treatment, supervision and transition of the youth. This position completes an integrated and comprehensive strength-based treatment plan and provides expertise in the area of mental health, co-occurring, special needs and family issues. This position utilizes the Colorado Juvenile Risk Assessment and other validated assessment tools to address criminogenic risk factors and what is driving underlying behavior by using a strength based approach and a youth''s protective factors and resources. This position will utilize a case conceptualization model which gathers the facts about the youth, determines needs, identifies strengths and develops treatment plans. This position provides training and consultation to staff in regard to treatment and milieu interventions specific to juveniles who have complex mental health needs. This position is responsible for the development and implementation of transition plans in coordination with the multidisciplinary team of client manager, family, youth facility staff and community programs.Summary of Job Duties:Treatment Provisions & DocumentationThis position maintains a caseload and conducts individual, group, and family psychotherapy sessions using evidence-based treatment theories and curriculum in complex mental health treatment for adolescents. Duties include:* Conducts counseling in accordance with training and expertise gained through specific training and knowledge of Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) standards and ethics.* Conducts treatment needs include substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, offense specific services for sexually abusive or violent youth.* Consults with supervisor about treatment issues, problems, expectation, and changes in behavior for residents and families.* Documents the youth''s response to specific interventions toward meeting the objectives and goals of treatment plan. Treatment will incorporate and address the youth''s risk/needs and protective factors and how criminal conduct, sex offense specific, substance abuse and mental health issues are related.* Consults and collaborate with medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication use in treatment.* Collaborates with client manager and assist in developing wrap-around transition and aftercare services for the youth nearing parole.* Collaborates with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided.* Discusses in supervision and identify any need for additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treatment with the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability.* Provides psychotherapy in a manner that is consistent with the youth''s ability, taking into account any necessary modification needed as a result of trauma, substance abuse, brain injury and mental health disorders.* Supports agency services of cognitive behavioral based interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.* Position will actively engage family/care givers in the process of treatment with the youth and transition to the community.* Facilitates daily groups and multi family group as necessary. Will assess progress, barriers to progress, collaborate with multidisciplinary team, communicate pertinent information to milieu staff and education, document all case management and therapeutic services in TRAIL''s system.* Documents summary of progress in monthly treatment plans for youth on caseload. Documents all assessments, sessions, court reports, transition plans, community passes and staffing sessions in a timely manner as indicated in policy to be within the next working shift.* Communicates effectively in verbal and written formats, that demonstrates progress youth has completed while in treatment. Position Is able to elaborate on risk, protective factors, progress and barriers to progress in a manner that is understandable to all audiences and partners, to include the youth, family, client management, education staff, parole boards, private providers, courts, etc.* All treatment services will be conducted in accordance with DORA standards and agency policy in order to mitigate risk and improve overall health.Assessment and Treatment PlanningThis position utilizes and presents a case conceptualization model of youth on caseload upon entering the facility, and discusses this with supervisor and present to Department chairs for collaboration and decision making around appropriate services. Duties include:* Within the first 30 days of a youth''s arrival, this position thoroughly assess youth''s treatment needs by reviewing the youth''s main and medical files and making initial and collateral contacts as appropriate.* Collaborate and coordinate treatment needs of youth with DYS client manager, and assessment services to match treatment with estimated length of stay and client need, within 30 days of admission.* Interview the resident ensuring that the assessment data is as reliable as possible, that the resident is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that problematic symptoms and behaviors are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner.* Contact/engage parents/family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agents to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supportive data to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the youth''s situation.* Collaborate with and coordinate with direct staff, education, client manager, youth, and other pertinent treatment team members in the development of a treatment service plan.* Provide oversight to the treatment plans and identify goals and measurable objectives, interventions and those responsible for providing them, frequency of interventions, and responsibility of the youth.* Treatment plan objectives will include skills that youth is working on in addition to individual and group session objectives.* A multi-disciplinary integrated and comprehensive approach will be applied to treatment planning, involving the youth, and family members as well as professionals utilizing best practice strength based approach.* This position utilizes a case conceptualization model in gathering facts about the youth, determining needs, identifying protective factors and developing treatment needs, this will be presented to supervisor and discussed with multi-disciplinary team.* This position places an emphasis on facilitating a review, making recommendations, and developing alternative interventions to be implemented by team staff and client for cases that represent a negative or no change response to treatment.* Treatment planning will be cognizant of gender, cultural, religious or spiritual and sexual identity issues to affect behavior change and reduction of symptoms in the adolescent and family. This position guides transition planning and services to aid in successful youth reintegration into the community.* Collaborate with client manager and MDT in recommending transition and aftercare programming as appropriate.* Participate in the assessment of safety and intervention/and monitoring plans for suicidal youth, with the direct supervision of a licensed behavioral health specialist, only for youth on their caseload.Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal RightsApplicants 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.Minimum Qualifications:* Current and valid licensure from any state as a Professional Counseling (LPC) or current, valid licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)* One year of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor.Note, nothing in these Minimum Qualifications alleviates the criteria to transfer licensing or any requirements by the respective board under the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).Substitutions:* Current and valid licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) will substitute for the Professional Counseling license (LPC) or the Clinical Social Worker license (LCSW).* One year Experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.Preferred Qualifications:* CAC III or LAC to support coaching and oversight of Behavioral Health Specialists working towards CAC credentialingSupervision is available towards obtaining an addiction and or sex offense credentialConditions of Employment:* Must be able to obtain licensure as a Social Worker (LSW) from the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners within 1 year after hire date.* Travel may be required for trainings and meetings* Full Background - Name check, TRAILS and Fingerprinting* Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence* Social workers, addiction counselors, marriage family therapists, and professional counselors may practice in Colorado for a cumulative period of 20 days under C.R.S. §12-245-217(2)(e), as long as the services performed meet the individual''s scope of practice.* 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.* 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* Effective September 20, 2021, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within thirty (30) business days of hire.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 [Click Here to Email Your Resumé]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 or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson''s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado''s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.On or after October 31, 2021, each facility shall ensure all newly hired employees, direct contractors, or support staff members are fully vaccinated at the time of hire, or receivetheir first dose of a two-dose protocol, or a single-dose vaccination, prior to providing anycare, treatment, or other services for the facility and/or its clients.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 [Click Here to Email Your Resumé]), 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 InformationHow to ApplyThe Assessment ProcessFor additional recruiting questions, please contact [Click Here to Email Your Resumé].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 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 moreinformation, go to 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 [Click Here to Email Your Resumé] or call 1-800-929-0791.~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

Created: 2025-11-15