Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work/Counselor III - Zebulon Pike.
State of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Overview
Division of Youth Services (DYS) operates in Colorado, delivering residential and non‑residential care for youth aged 10‑21. The Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center provides evidence‑based therapeutic services for committed and detained youths. This behavioral health specialist position is open to Colorado state residents.
Responsibilities
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories.
Apply knowledge of adolescent development and culturally appropriate interventions.
Use individualized theories considering age, ethnicity, culture, religion, and sexual orientation.
Document and assess effectiveness of interventions for program progression and youth stabilization.
Provide therapeutic services for substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and sexual abuse or violent youths.
Give strength‑based, holistic therapeutic support.
Collaborate with medical staff and psychiatrists regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational and vocational systems to ensure suitable academic services.
Seek additional resources to support youth developmental and neurocognitive needs.
Adapt therapy to youth’s developmental level and required modifications for trauma, substance use, brain injury, or mental health disorders.
Support cognitive‑behavioral, social‑learning, and motivational‑interviewing approaches.
Engage families and caregivers in stabilization and placement transition.
Assess progress and barriers, documenting case management and therapeutic activities in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary and ROCK Program guidelines.
Facilitate Community Review Teams for Individual Growth and Change Plans.
Review assessment data and develop therapeutic rapport while ensuring confidentiality.
Engage parents, significant others, guardians, and referral agents for collateral information.
Recognize signs of serious mental illness and continuously monitor mental health status.
Complete brief mental health status exams.
Recommend alternative interventions for youth not responding positively to programming.
Coordinate with transition specialists and MDT staff to support reintegration efforts.
Determine strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives.
Maintain knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations (42 C.F.R. Part 2) and Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Rules.
Stay current on emerging best practices in juvenile mental health, substance abuse, and co‑occurring disorders.
Train others in evidence‑based treatment delivery.
Participate in orientation, workshops, trainings, and clinical supervision to maintain competency.
Offer guidance on milieu programming and treatment goal implementation.
Document treatment sessions in EHR using the DAP format, ensuring individualized recordings.
Identify appropriate information for record keeping and communication parties.
Qualifications
Current, valid Colorado or state licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
One year of experience with a valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact, relevant to the duties of this position.
Minimum of 21 years of age, no felony convictions or domestic violence history.
Successful background check and reference check required.
Valid Colorado driver’s license and willingness to undergo motor‑vehicle check.
State residency at time of application and throughout employment.
Completion of the DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program, and annual mandatory trainings.
Ability to complete Diana Screening and cooperate with DYS selection procedures.
For former state employees: disclose any disciplinary termination and explain non‑disqualifying circumstances.
Benefits
Robust retirement benefits, including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
Medical, dental, and vision health plans.
Employer‑sponsored Health Savings Account.
Paid life insurance.
Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
11 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Access to the State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center.
Employee wellness program.
Work‑life support through flexible schedules and training opportunities.
Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
EEO Statement
The State of Colorado is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. Employees and applicants are protected from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.
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Division of Youth Services (DYS) operates in Colorado, delivering residential and non‑residential care for youth aged 10‑21. The Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center provides evidence‑based therapeutic services for committed and detained youths. This behavioral health specialist position is open to Colorado state residents.
Responsibilities
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories.
Apply knowledge of adolescent development and culturally appropriate interventions.
Use individualized theories considering age, ethnicity, culture, religion, and sexual orientation.
Document and assess effectiveness of interventions for program progression and youth stabilization.
Provide therapeutic services for substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and sexual abuse or violent youths.
Give strength‑based, holistic therapeutic support.
Collaborate with medical staff and psychiatrists regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational and vocational systems to ensure suitable academic services.
Seek additional resources to support youth developmental and neurocognitive needs.
Adapt therapy to youth’s developmental level and required modifications for trauma, substance use, brain injury, or mental health disorders.
Support cognitive‑behavioral, social‑learning, and motivational‑interviewing approaches.
Engage families and caregivers in stabilization and placement transition.
Assess progress and barriers, documenting case management and therapeutic activities in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary and ROCK Program guidelines.
Facilitate Community Review Teams for Individual Growth and Change Plans.
Review assessment data and develop therapeutic rapport while ensuring confidentiality.
Engage parents, significant others, guardians, and referral agents for collateral information.
Recognize signs of serious mental illness and continuously monitor mental health status.
Complete brief mental health status exams.
Recommend alternative interventions for youth not responding positively to programming.
Coordinate with transition specialists and MDT staff to support reintegration efforts.
Determine strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives.
Maintain knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations (42 C.F.R. Part 2) and Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Rules.
Stay current on emerging best practices in juvenile mental health, substance abuse, and co‑occurring disorders.
Train others in evidence‑based treatment delivery.
Participate in orientation, workshops, trainings, and clinical supervision to maintain competency.
Offer guidance on milieu programming and treatment goal implementation.
Document treatment sessions in EHR using the DAP format, ensuring individualized recordings.
Identify appropriate information for record keeping and communication parties.
Qualifications
Current, valid Colorado or state licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
One year of experience with a valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact, relevant to the duties of this position.
Minimum of 21 years of age, no felony convictions or domestic violence history.
Successful background check and reference check required.
Valid Colorado driver’s license and willingness to undergo motor‑vehicle check.
State residency at time of application and throughout employment.
Completion of the DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program, and annual mandatory trainings.
Ability to complete Diana Screening and cooperate with DYS selection procedures.
For former state employees: disclose any disciplinary termination and explain non‑disqualifying circumstances.
Benefits
Robust retirement benefits, including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
Medical, dental, and vision health plans.
Employer‑sponsored Health Savings Account.
Paid life insurance.
Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
11 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Access to the State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center.
Employee wellness program.
Work‑life support through flexible schedules and training opportunities.
Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
EEO Statement
The State of Colorado is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. Employees and applicants are protected from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.
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