Behavioral Health Specialist Assessment (social Work/counselor IV), Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Behavioral Health Specialist Assessment (Social Work/Counselor IV), Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Salary: $86,748.00 Annually

Location: Grand Junction, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: IKA 05437 03/90/2026

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: OCYF - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Opening Date: 03/17/2026

Closing Date: 3/31/2026 11:59 AM Mountain

FLSA: Determined by Position

FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information: isaac.phelps@state.co.us

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.

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 purpose of Assessment is to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for all juveniles who have been committed to 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 serve as an on-site assessment supervisor within the regional Assessment team. Duties include supervision of SWIII/Assessment Specialist, coordination with the Coordinator of Assessment, and 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. The primary aim of this position is to provide supervision to assure quality of work product, consistency across regions, and effective communication/delivery of new practices. This position regularly completes assessments and works 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. 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.

Job Duties include but are not limited to :

Supervision:

Provide supervision and oversee the technical and qualitative aspects of Assessment Services for the Western Region at Grand Mesa Youth Services Center (GMYSC) Division of Youth Services and support other areas across the state; which provides assessment and clinical evaluation reports and service plan recommendations for youth committed to DYS. Supervision of three Assessment Specialists (SWIII). Duties include: train to relevant standards of policy and procedure, resolves informal staff grievances, may create and monitor staff work schedules, may participate in the progressive disciplinary process, provide training as needed, investigates and evaluates all other personnel issues, and coordinates with the Coordinator of Assessment. Reviews and tracks all assessment reports for accuracy and completion within established deadlines.

Program Development/Operational Oversight:

Ensures the oversight and application of appropriate, reliable and accurate assessment practices to ensure consistency across regions. Reviews staffing rosters to ensure that staff is scheduled in a timely manner and that all paperwork is completed within the required 30 day time period. Works collaboratively with the Coordinator of Assessment to assure participation and completion of required training. Responsible for researching and coordinating training sessions designed to promote Assessment Specialist job development. This position works closely with the Clinical Directors and the DYS Assessment Services Coordinator to review and update assessment practices as needed.

Formalized Assessment Practice:

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 and Screening Inventory (YASI), 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 interviews to ascertain individualized family strengths, needs, perspective, and expressed goals for treatment and DYS stay. 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.

Communication/Training:

Provide clinical oversight, expertise, quality assurance, and direction regarding evaluation findings of juvenile's committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. Uphold effectiveness, fit, and functionality of currently utilized evaluation instruments, including the Youth Assessment and Screening Inventory (YASI), Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE), and provide recommendations for improving statewide Assessment Services practices and policies. Participate in training topics related to assessment.

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.

Mininum 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) year 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, if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.

Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border

Out-of-State Driver's License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of employment start date.

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 assigned trainings and/or alternate work sites, Transportation of youth in state vehicles

The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with