Associate Director of Youth Center Operations

This position is open only to Colorado state residents. 

Division of Youth Services 

4255 S. Knox Court, Denver, CO 8023

CDHSCareers

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 twelve 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

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

Position Overview
This position provides consistent leadership and management for all Division of Youth Services (DYS) youth center operations, in support of the DYS Vision and Mission statements. Some of the specific duties include, but are not limited to, providing guidance, leadership, and direction to the following Central Office programs and functions and to State-Operated Institutions. Direct supervision of two Facility Operations Administrators (who directly supervise all facility superintendents), Security Operations Administrator, Facilities Programming Administrator, and Youth Safety Coordinator; assuring the consistent implementation in facilities statewide of policies, initiatives, and programming allowing continued practices consistent with evidence-based principles and sound correctional practices. This includes risk mitigation and reduction of liability. This position is also a member of the Division's Leadership Team and Senior Managers Group, and participates in defining the major budgetary needs of the Division, and analyzing future capacity and programming needs of the Division. Working in conjunction with the Division Director, Division Deputy Director, and the other Associate Directors, this position will assist in making decisions regarding expenditure of the Division's $183+ million operating budget on a daily basis. Finally, this position acts independently in its responsibilities as liaison with other Department of Human Services agencies, including Human Resources and Division of Facilities Management, as well as membership on the DYS Provider Council and the CYDC Advisory Group, in addition to external juvenile justice agencies.

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Key Responsibilities

Leadership over Youth Center Operations:

Leadership, direction, and oversight of major functional and program areas within the Division of Youth Services, including direct supervision of the respective Facility Operations Administrators (who provide direct oversight of the facility superintendents), Security Operations Administrator, Facilities Programming Administrator, and Youth Safety Coordinator, as well as oversight of the DYS ten state-operated secure facilities. Future-focused program planning with these areas to determine the long-term strategic agency mix of services provided by assigned FTE’s, and to ensure that all program area goals are aligned with the overall vision and mission of the Division. Responsible for mid-management hires, and responds to appeals on employee grievances and answers appeals on corrective/disciplinary actions. Coordination with the Attorney General's office on personnel issues and other program areas requiring support and or guidance for practice and interpretation of the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Strategic Planning:

Translates the Division’s long-term vision and strategic goals into actionable operational plans for all state-operated youth centers. This involves developing standardized facility-level performance metrics, auditing operational compliance against Division standards, and optimizing the allocation of human and capital resources to ensure consistency in service delivery across all geographic regions. The position identifies operational gaps and develops mitigation strategies to ensure facility stability and safety.

External Affairs:

Serves as the primary technical expert for Youth Center Operations during legislative inquiries, budget hearings, and Departmental audits. Responsible for developing data-driven justifications, fiscal impact analyses, and operational briefings that the Deputy Director and DYS Director utilize to advocate for resources with the Governor’s Office and General Assembly. Manages the implementation of legislative mandates within the facilities and ensures operational transparency for external oversight bodies.

Stakeholder Involvement:

Participation on several teams and committees, including the Division's Leadership Team, the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum Advisory Board, the DYS Provider Council, the Division's Senior Management Group, the Facility Director's Group, the Division's Central Office Managers' Group, and the Department's HR Policy Steering Committee. Participation in many of these groups requires preparation work, ongoing task responsibilities, and, in some cases, leadership of the group.

Other duties as assigned:

Any duties that may arise for the needs of the Division, Office, or Department.

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: 
Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of executive leadership in juvenile or adult corrections, public safety, or law enforcement, to include supervising people leaders
• Experience leading large, diverse teams and implementing policy at a Division or Departmental level
• Demonstrated success in leading and building diverse stakeholder coalitions, including cultivating partnerships, aligning cross-sector interests, and building consensus around shared priorities 
• Experience with developing, executing, and managing large-scale budgets
• Expert knowledge of relevant licensing body regulations, and state or federal regulations related to corrections operations, such as the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), American Correctional Association (ACA), and the Juvenile Justice Reform Act

Conditions of Employment:

• Full Background  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)
  

• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age

• Current/Valid and non-restricted CO Driver’s License

• Travel – May need to travel to the post office or pick up supplies based on duties, and occasional travel to assigned training. 

• 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.

• 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 I am selected.

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 deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email ([email protected]), 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 webpage.

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 ([email protected]), 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.


 
For additional recruiting questions, please contact [email protected]. 


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 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 [email protected].