Social Studies Teacher I - Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center

Salary : $72,264.00 - $93,948.00 Annually
Location : Golden, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: IKA 07429 10/09/26
Department: Colorado Department of Human Services
Division: OCYF - Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 2901 Ford St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
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.

Description of Job
You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.

Monday- Friday In person 7am-4pm
Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.
Summary of this position:
This position exists to provide classroom instruction in the assigned content with embedded workforce and career related skills aligned to science, math, and/or literacy emphasis with project-based units and engaging lessons. Instructional planning uses CDE state standards and prepared graduate outcomes while also adhering to district initiatives and Social Emotional Learning topics to committed youth in secondary and post secondary tracks in a safe and trauma informed environment. The teacher takes responsibility for knowledge of current state standards in the area of assigned content as well as workforce readiness skills and outcomes, the appropriate use of technology for teaching and learning, and other related subjects including best practice and research in pedagogy and prosocial youthdevelopment. The instructor takes responsibility for having an active and appropriate CDE license. Duties in this position include:
Classroom Instruction and Planning:

• Establish and maintain an appropriate classroom setting through:
  - the use of effective classroom management skills and accountability measures
  - identified trauma-responsive strategies and practices
  - engagement strategies specific to student need and aligns with district initiatives and expectations
  - curriculum that is age appropriate and content appropriate and aligns with district initiatives and expectations
  - student-centered classroom activities and project-based learning opportunities
  - using curricular resources as required
• Assess new and continuing students-both post-secondary and secondary--using multiple assessment methods and collecting multiple pieces of evidence of learning while assuring evidence is documented per DYS education standards
• Prepare daily lesson plans and short-term unit lesson plans that are aligned with state standards and/or industry standards with the critical skills needed; design and implement a tracking mechanism for evaluating student progress that correlates to standards-based education and with appropriate rigor for grade level
• Use effective accommodations as required for special education students or youth on MTSS plans while also communicating growth and data needed for progress monitoring. Implements a variety of research-based education strategies (including technology) to accommodate multi-age/multi-level students
• Follow the DYS instructional framework with clear daily learning objectives and relevant learning content with appropriate assessments while meeting the needs of all youth
• Ensure educational records are in IC and/or Trails, shared for facility purposes, updated as required and using DYS frameworks. Select behavior and classroom
  management techniques to apply within the framework of DYS and use these skills for subbing or guest teaching in other classrooms as required
• Use the technology appropriate and as expected to design, upload information and unit and lessons while taking attendance daily and grading work appropriately
• May be assigned different or multiple content area based on youth and school need
• Planning classroom lessons and units will require short and long term goals for individual youth and classroom content

Meetings, Professional Development, and Progress Monitoring:

• Meet informally and in scheduled meetings with the Central Education Office members, principal, security team, treatment providers and other teachers to review student and school progress, both academically and in regards to social emotional growth and career readiness. Develop comprehensive unit plans, course plans, syllabi, and individual youth learning plans for implementation of the assigned subject matter in line with the education goals and in alignment with school development plans and quality standards
• Participate in professional and staff safety development and apply learning accordingly while also supporting YCTO practices for other team members
• Assure appropriate boundaries and effective presentation in the classroom and workplace. Use data effectively and with MTSS processes, IEP goals, and behavioral goals, create MTSS and other responsive plans to include progress monitoring
• Participate as an effective educational advocate and team member and serve as needed in site-based meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT) and committees
• Completes monthly reviews of content to principal during required supervision and check ins and uploading all documents as required electronically

Supportive to Culture, Climate and Safety of the Facility:

• Assist in the safety and security of the school and facility by supervising residents, tools, and materials effectively and providing immediate assistance as necessary within the facility
• Consistently knowing and following policy and procedures of the Division of Youth Services and the facility as well as safety procedures for classrooms and youth.
  Adhere to the trauma-informed culture and expectations within the classroom and as a professional colleague
• Know and use Motivational Interviewing, PBIS, and Sanctuary Model to include small group processes and Restorative
  Justice language and frameworks; follow expectations for IRs
• Adhere to Code of Conduct and professional norms of behavior for the workplace
• Follow leave policy and procedures

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Perform other related assignments as necessary such as, but not limited to, student staffing, onboarding others, entering data into Student Information System, problem solving technology, assisting with special events or opportunities, and substituting for teachers who are absent as needed. Working with facility staff and supporting
  facility safety ongoingly

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
*** PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT AND FOLLOW ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE APPLICATION. YOU MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION TO BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR IT. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS ON TIMELINES TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION - ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED AND ALL TRANSCRIPTS MUST HAVE SCHOOL NAME, YOUR NAME, AND ALL PAGES- THIS IS THE FIRST EVALUATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS***

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:
All Teaching Assignments:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
AND
Current, valid Initial or Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education

Substitutions:
All Teaching Assignments:
Current, valid Interim Teacher license, or Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization will substitute for the Colorado Initial or Professional Teacher license.
Academic Teaching Assignments only:
Current, valid Colorado Adult Basic Education Authorization, Initial Special Services, or Special Services license will substitute for the Colorado Initial or Professional Teacher license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth
• Leadership experience
• Proficient use of assessment data to inform instructional practice
• Experience building a program
• Relevant years of state service
• Dual endorsements or documentation of ability to be Highly Qualified in multiple content areas
• Licensure aligned to position
• Experience with differentiated instruction; developing lessons/curriculum and providing differentiated instruction
• Proficient use of data to inform instructional practice
• Secondary school experience
• Trauma-Informed practices and knowledge as it applies to at risk populations and classroom instruction
• Project-based learning experience
• Experience with special needs populations

Conditions of Employment:

• 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.

• 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