Behavioral Health Specialist (Social Work/Counselor IV) - Division of Youth Services, Denver

Posting number: IKA 07092 07/23/2026

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: OCYF (Office of Children, Youth & Families)

Job classification: Social Work/Counselor IV

Posting type: Open

Categories: Mental Health, Social Services, Human Services, Counseling, Social Sciences

Summary

The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

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

 

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

Examples of duties

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 Inte