Salary: $87,612.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: IKA 07092 07/23/2026
Department: Colorado Department of Human Services
Division: OCYF (Office of Children, Youth & Families)
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 4131 S. Julian Way, Denver CO 80236
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Division of Youth Services - Youth Services Central Administration Office

Description of Job
You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.
Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time
Summary of Work Unit:
The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides care and supervision of youth committed and detained by the courts, with a mission to build skills and competencies that support healthy development, accountability, and successful reintegration into the community. The Behavioral Health and Medical Services (BHMS) Unit provides statewide leadership, guidance, and oversight for behavioral health, medical, dental, psychological, neuropsychological, substance use, and sex-offense-specific services. The unit ensures that all services align with DYS policy, Colorado law, NCCHC standards, and evidence-based practice expectations.

About the Position:The Behavioral Health Specialist (Social Worker/Counselor IV) ensures consistent delivery of high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health services and strengthens overall client care. This role directly supports client care by ensuring staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide effective, trauma-informed, and individualized services.

In addition to training and oversight responsibilities, this position will provide direct youth/client care for critical cases needed to support service continuity, model best practices, and respond to emerging or high-acuity situations. Through ongoing coaching, monitoring, and quality improvement efforts, this position promotes positive client outcomes, reduces risk, and ensures services are delivered safely, consistently, and in alignment with best practices.
Summary of Duties:

Clinical Assessment, Treatment, and Documentation

• Provide advanced, licensed clinical services to youth with complex mental health, substance use, trauma-related, and criminogenic needs within the Division of Youth Services.
• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments; synthesizes collateral information from medical, educational, legal, and family systems; and formulates clinical impressions that inform individualized treatment planning.
• Deliver individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing) and apply trauma-informed and Sanctuary-aligned practices.
• Develop, implement, and continuously update treatment plans aligned with risk, needs, and protective factors, and coordinate care with multidisciplinary partners.
• Evaluates treatment effectiveness, modifies interventions, and ensures continuity of care through transition and discharge planning.
• Provide precise, timely, and compliant documentation of all services, assessments, and clinical decisions in accordance with DORA, HIPAA, OCFMH, and DYS standards.

Clinical and Programmatic Consultation, and Leadership

• Provide advanced clinical consultation, leadership, and oversight to Behavioral Health Specialists, and interdisciplinary staff.
• Review complex cases, provide guidance on treatment approaches, and support staff in implementing effective behavioral interventions and crisis response strategies.
• Mentor and coach staff to improve clinical competency, reinforce fidelity to the DYS Treatment Model, and promote consistent application of trauma-informed and evidence-based practices.
• Provide indirect supervision, participate in hiring processes, and contribute to performance feedback and staff development.

Training and Workforce Development

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver behavioral health training and workforce development initiatives.
• Design curricula, facilitate training, and providing ongoing coaching and supervision to Behavioral Health Specialists, interns, and other staff.
• Ensures staff competency in clinical practices, documentation standards, and program expectations.
• Support internship and practicum programs, including recruitment, training, and supervision, and promote professional growth through structured development opportunities.
• Communicate policy updates, procedural changes, and clinical expectations to ensure consistent understanding and application across the workforce.

Program Development and Oversight

• Monitor program fidelity, conduct quality assurance activities, and analyze data trends to identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with DYS policies, NCCHC standards, and other regulatory requirements, and support accreditation and credentialing processes.
• Other duties as assigned

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. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.
Minimum Qualifications:

License and Experience:*

Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

`AND`

• Two (2) years of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.

*Applicants for supervisory positions must have licensure that meets the legal requirements to perform supervisory responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications:

• Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

Conditions of Employment:

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
• Full background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License
• 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.
• Applicants for supervisory positions must have licensure that meets the legal requirements to perform supervisory responsibilities.
• Travel to Travel to assigned trainings and meetings, will travel to different facilities depending on critical case load.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  • Disclose that information on the application.
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  • Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

• Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

• A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
• You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process - Structured Application Review

• After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

• Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
• If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions

• Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Supplemental Information
How to apply to the State of Colorado
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact