Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements
Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work
About this Unit:
The Division of Youth Services (DYS) Central Office includes all statewide Division administration activities and responsibilities related to the management and oversight of youth centers for both detained and committed youth. In addition, DYS administers a community-based system that includes case management and parole services and Colorado Youth Detention Curriculum (CYDC) detention-based services. The Central Office maintains responsibility for the following administrative functions: establishing and monitoring standards for service; developing policies and procedures and auditing programs and services for compliance; developing and allocating resources for programs and providing administrative systems to support programs, such as data, financial management, and contracting systems; developing and implementing short-term and long-term planning initiatives to address DYS’s current and future program and resource needs. This unit has an instrumental role in the implementation of a healthy, trauma-responsive environment across all DYS programs.
About this Position:
This position serves as the project manager and staff authority for Division-wide audit preparation, compliance performance improvement, and quality assurance infrastructure across all Division of Youth Services youth centers and regional operations statewide. The position plans, directs, and coordinates Division-wide projects and initiatives that prepare youth centers for compliance reviews and audits conducted by external entities including CDHS Quality Assurance and accreditation bodies, analyzes compliance performance trends, and designs the Division’s audit readiness strategies, systems, processes, guidelines, and standards. The position exercises interpretive decision-making within the strategic master plan established by higher management to determine the Division-wide processes, guidelines, and systems used by others throughout DYS, including the invention and implementation of new quality assurance and data infrastructure that did not previously exist within the Division. The position does not conduct audits, monitor facility operations, or exercise line authority over facility staff; instead, it develops and deploys the methodologies, tools, trend analyses, and recommendations that management and peers across the Division rely on when making decisions about compliance program direction. Agency management routinely relies on this position’s essential consultation when deciding broad, critical program and policy direction related to the Division’s regulatory standing, accreditation posture, and accountability infrastructure
Develop and Administer Division-Wide Audit Preparation and Compliance Performance Improvement Program:
Plans, directs, and coordinates an ongoing, Division-wide, data-driven quality assurance and audit preparation program. Serves as the Division’s staff authority for designing the strategies, systems, processes, guidelines, and standards used by others across DYS to prepare for regulatory and accreditation reviews. Does not conduct audits, monitor facility operations, or exercise line authority over youth center staff; instead, designs and delivers the Division-wide preparation projects and performance improvement initiatives that position facilities to successfully demonstrate compliance to external auditors. Work is organized as follows:
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CDHS Quality Assurance preparation: leads Division-wide project management for preparation for annual QAYS compliance reviews covering all DYS policy chapters and residential program standards; works collaboratively with youth center directors to help them identify compliance gaps in advance of QAYS reviews, develop remediation strategies, and organize documentation readiness; supports youth center directors in developing and tracking corrective action plans resulting from QAYS findings through implementation and resolution.
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Performance improvement initiatives: designs and implements Division-wide performance improvement initiatives based on analysis of audit findings, trend data, and emerging regulatory requirements; develops and maintains standardized audit preparation tools, self-assessment resources, and checklists for use by youth center directors and staff.
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Accreditation and federal preparation: leads Division-wide project management for preparation for accreditation reviews such as those conducted by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) audits; works with Division SMEs such as the Behavioral Health Quality Assurance Administrator and the PREA Coordinator to align preparation work with applicable standards and supports development of corrective action plans resulting from audit findings.
Designs and implements a Division-wide compliance performance dashboard that provides Division leadership and youth center directors with visibility into performance trends, audit preparation status, and progress on corrective action plans, consolidating data from QAYS reviews, accreditation standards, and other performance metrics. Collaborates with the Data Management and Analysis Administrator to identify key performance indicators and reporting standards. Travels to DYS facilities as needed to deliver technical assistance, training, and project support on audit preparation methodologies and use of Division-wide tools; assessment of facility compliance posture is the responsibility of the youth center director, and formal compliance determinations are the responsibility of external audit entities.
Develop and Administer Modern Tracking and Data Systems:
Designs, develops, and implements modern electronic tracking and data management systems to replace paper-based processes and equip youth center directors, Division leadership, and oversight entities with accurate, accessible data on standards compliance across all DYS youth centers. Identifies operational areas where current tracking methods are inadequate to support effective audit preparation, trend analysis, and external reporting, and determines where centralized electronic systems are needed. Defines system requirements, user workflows, data capture standards, reporting capabilities, and data security protocols for each system developed. Plans and directs implementation across the Division using project management and change management methodology, including staff training, rollout sequencing, and ongoing system administration.
Priority systems include, but are not limited to, a modern youth grievance tracking system to support compliance with DYS Policy 13-2 Grievance Procedures, and a centralized tracking and case management system for allegations of abuse to support compliance with DYS Policy 9-17 Reporting Alleged Abuse. Analyzes aggregate data from these systems for patterns and trends that may indicate systemic issues, and formulates recommendations to Division leadership regarding strategic initiatives, policy direction, and performance improvement priorities. Ensures all systems maintain appropriate data security, confidentiality protections, and access controls commensurate with the sensitivity of the information being tracked.
Division Liaison to CDHS Quality Assurance and External Oversight Entities:
Serves as the Division’s primary liaison to the CDHS Quality Assurance unit on all preparation and performance improvement matters. Coordinates directly with QAYS on review scheduling, standards interpretation, compliance review methodology, and Division-wide response to corrective action plans. Serves as the Division’s staff authority and SME during on-site QAYS reviews, helping ensure that youth center directors and staff have been well prepared in advance and that the Division presents a consistent, well-organized posture during reviews; the QAYS unit, not this position, conducts the actual audit activities and issues formal findings. Tracks changes to QAYS standards and review methodology and communicates their strategic implications to Division leadership and youth center directors. Additionally serves as a liaison to other external audit and oversight entities on matters related to compliance data, investigation tracking, and systemic issues identified through trend analysis. Formulates strategic recommendations to Division leadership based on analysis of audit trends and evolving regulatory expectations
Other Duties as assigned:
Responsibility to perform assigned tasks and duties within the scope of practice for this position that do not fall within the realm of duty statements A-C.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience Only:
Nine (9) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to nine (9) years.
Preferred Qualifications:
Direct experience working in, overseeing, or auditing a secure residential program, hospital, prison, jail, juvenile justice, or detention facility.
Demonstrated experience developing, writing, and implementing audit standards for a secure residential program, hospital, prison, jail, juvenile justice, or detention facilities.
Working 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 Juvenile Justice Reform Act.
Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Conditions of Employment:-
Current/Valid and unrestricted CO Driver’s License
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MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.
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Travel – Position is responsible for audit preparation at 12 youth centers across the state, including the Denver metro area, Brighton, Greeley, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Grand Junctions. The expectation for this position is that they are present at DYS youth centers 4-5 days a week, including youth centers outside the Denver metro area. Travel outside Denver-area is expected about 30-40% of the time.
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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.
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Be at least 21 years of age with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence:
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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)
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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.
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 (
[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.
A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
How to Apply
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:
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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
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Medical and dental health plans
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Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
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Paid life insurance
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Short- and long-term disability coverage
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11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
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BenefitHub state employee discount program
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Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
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Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
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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 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].
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
