Social Work/Counselor Iii - Spring Creek Ysc.

Department Information

This position has a residency waiver and will be accepting applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado. This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete. If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado prior to their start date, at their own expense.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.

Division of Youth Services

Spring Creek Youth Services Center

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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 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: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys

My Why

Description of Job

Summary Of Work Unit

The purpose of Assessment is to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for all juveniles who have been committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services (DYS) while undergoing a comprehensive assessment. Services include, but are not limited to, the administration and interpretation of Criminogenic, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse screening and assessment instruments to arrive at recommendations for treatment and efficient, effective service delivery. Principle functions involve identification of criminal risk areas, ascertainment of mental health functioning, determination of substance use treatment needs, assessing for needs and strengths, and submission of recommendations for placement type and service plan goals. Evaluation services are provided through a multidisciplinary team decision-making process, which incorporates family input and community support. All assessment services are empirically supported and designed to uphold standards of best practice set forth by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute for Correctional Mental Health Care, and the CDHS Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.

Summary Of The Position

The purpose of this position is to administer and interpret criminogenic, mental health, trauma, and substance abuse screening and assessment tools, in order to arrive at accurate and effective recommendations for placement and treatment goals for juveniles who have been committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. A primary aim of this position is to work within a multidisciplinary team to offer empirically supported criminogenic, mental health, trauma, and substance abuse evaluation services to the youth and families that DYS serves. This job class requires advanced educational degree, training, and experience in the discipline areas of criminal risk, mental health, trauma, and substance abuse screening and evaluation. This position conducts individual and family structured clinical interviews, administers and interprets behavioral health assessment information, acts as a liaison with psychiatric professionals, completes substance abuse screening and assessments, and participates as a team member and clinical consultant with other assessment and regional personnel. Information gained through the assessment process is synthesized into a comprehensive and professional report and is completed within the timelines specified in Colorado Revised Statues and internal implementing procedures.

Conduct clinical interviews, criminogenic risk assessments, drug and alcohol screening and assessments, mental health evaluations, trauma assessment, and neuropsychological screenings on juvenile offenders who are committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. Administration and interpretation of the Colorado Youth Assessment Screening Instrument, Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE), and University of California Los Angeles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI) to assess specified areas of functioning including, but not limited to: current and past delinquent behaviors, mental health presentation, criminogenic need areas, family issues, peer relationships, self perceptions, use of free time, level of maturity, problem solving skills, breadth of decision-making, drug and alcohol involvement, personal goals, risk factors associated with neuropsychological deficits, and identified skills/competencies. Conduct family interview to ascertain individualized family strengths, needs, perspective, and expressed goals for treatment and DYS stay. Outline the assessment process to youth and families, including expectations, responding to questions, and requesting signed authorization for release of information and disclosure statements.

Review relevant collateral data, previous evaluation findings, legal documents, and any other information received at time of commitment, and incorporate the information into the finalized assessment report. Review Court Orders to ensure legality per Colorado Children's Code. Contact DYS Quality Assurance designee and/or courts to obtain any necessary legal interpretation or clarification and request amendment to mittimi when warranted. Complete all commitment classification paperwork, calculate security level designation and sentencing parameters, and enter results into the Trails database system.

Job Duties

Formalized Assessment Practice:

• Conduct family interview to ascertain individualized family strengths, needs, perspective, and expressed goals for treatment and DYS stay.
• Communicate individualized assessment findings and treatment recommendations with interdisciplinary team members to arrive at collaborative decisions regarding Service Plan goals, optional placement types, and recommended treatment.
• Conduct clinical interviews, criminogenic risk assessments, drug and alcohol screening and assessments, mental health evaluations, trauma assessment, and neuropsychological screenings on juvenile offenders who are committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. Administration and interpretation of the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI), the Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE), and University of California Los Angeles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI) to assess specified areas of functioning including, but not limited to: current and past delinquent behaviors, mental health presentation, criminogenic need areas, family issues, peer relationships, self-perceptions, use of free time, level of maturity, problem solving skills, breadth of decision-making, drug and alcohol involvement, personal goals, risk factors associated with neuropsychological deficits, and identified skills/competencies.
• Incorporate all assessment findings into a comprehensive, individualized, and strengths-based written Assessment Report. Enter all pertinent information into the Colorado Trails database.
• Participate in the initial DYS Multidisciplinary team meeting to discuss all relevant assessment findings in order to arrive at consensus related to prescribed placement type, service plan recommendations, and transition goals based upon individualized youth and family needs.
• Perform a quality review all Assessment Reports prior to dissemination to ensure information contained in the report is accurate, conveys data necessary for DCP/Treatment Plan development, and represents correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
• Outline the assessment process to youth and families, including expectations, responding to questions, and requesting signed authorization for release of information and disclosure statements.

Legal Interpretation:

• Review relevant collateral data, previous evaluation findings, legal documents, and any other information received at time of commitment, and incorporate the information into the finalized assessment report. Review Court Orders to ensure legality per Colorado Children’s Code. Contact DYS Quality Assurance designee and/or courts to obtain any necessary legal interpretation or clarification and request amendment to mittimi when warranted.
• Forward legal documents to DYS Quality Assurance designee for review and respond to requests for corrections in accordance with Assessment Services Quality Assurance protocol.
• Complete all commitment classification paperwork, calculate security level designation and sentencing parameters, and enter results into the Trails database system.
• Contact collateral agencies to verify or request additional information on newly committed juveniles. Review all information available in the judicial data base to ensure accuracy of mittimi, additional/pending charges, sentencing requirements, court orders and/or restitution ordered, and note any discovered discrepancies in the Assessment Report.

Communication/Training:

• Uphold effectiveness, fit, and functionality of currently utilized evaluation instruments, including the Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE), and provide recommendations for improving statewide Assessment Services practices and policies. Participate in training topics related to assessment, including but not limited to, strengths-based evaluation and goal setting, effective report writing, identification of mental health and criminogenic need factors, psychological theories that apply to assessment, and motivational interviewing skills. Participate as a representative for DYS Assessment Services at various mental health and juvenile justice conferences.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement practices, as outlined by DYS Assessment Services protocol. Communicate assessment program/system strengths and limitations to the Program Manager. Participate in program development activities and assigned committees designed to ensure continuous quality improvement and reinforcement of DYS Assessment Services initiatives.
• Maintain direct and ongoing communication with the Assessment Leadership and Psychologists to review, uphold, and improve ongoing criminogenic, drug and alcohol, neuropsychological, and psychological assessment practices.
• Maintain ongoing statewide correspondence with Assessment Specialist colleagues, service providers, and client managers to ensure reliable communication and continuity of services provided across the DYS continuum of care.
• Provide clinical oversight, expertise, quality assurance, and direction regarding evaluation findings of juveniles committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services.

Continued Professional Development:

• Participate in agency team meetings, assessment unit meetings, group consultation, and regional meetings as required.
• Keep current on all legal, qualitative, and professional requirements related to the position.
• Serve as assessment representative to various DYS and/or community agency/stakeholder task force committees.
• Act as a liaison between Assessment Services and Regional personnel. Upon request, provide information to various groups regarding the operations and function of Assessment Services.
• Maintain all licensure and certifications required by the position. Participate in formal and informal opportunities to improve job performance.
• Participate in the exchange of information, collaborative program advancement and recommendations aimed at improving Assessment Services.

Facility Requirements/Safety:

• Comply with all DYS data requests. Must remain certified in CPR, First Aid, and Verbal De-escalation at all times. Fulfill all other duties as assigned.
• Maintain communication with assessment unit program assistant to ensure initial staffing schedule is completed in compliance with the timeframes mandated by CRS statutes and DYS policy.
• Assist with coordinating the referral process for juvenile offenders who have completed their initial assessment process and are moving into placement.
• Ensure adherence to facility safety/security policies and procedures when interviewing, and supervising juveniles.
• Maintain awareness and observance of all DYS policies and procedures.

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

• One year of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor.
• Current and valid licensure from any state as a Professional Counseling (LPC) or current, valid licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

**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.

Conditions of Employment:

• 12-245-217(2)(e), as long as the services performed meet the individual's scope of practice.
• Must have a Colorado License, or be able to obtain a Colorado Driver's License within 1 year after hire date if you are an out-of-state applicant
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• Colorado Driver's License
• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
• Full Background - Name check, TRAILS and Fingerprinting
• Must be able to obtain mental health licensure from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies within 1 year after hire date.
• Non Colorado Residents must submit the required paperwork and materials to CO Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to obtain a Colorado license within 20 days of hire.

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.