Special Education Coordinator and Assessment Specialist (State Teacher II) - Spring Creek

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

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

Division of Youth Services - Spring Creek Youth Services Center

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.

About the Work Unit: 

This work unit is responsible for delivering comprehensive educational services to adjudicated youth within a structured, supportive, and secure learning environment. The unit promotes high academic standards; the development of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and other 21st-century competencies; vocational and workforce readiness; and individual accountability for learning. Educational services include the provision and oversight of special education, general education, career and technical education, and post-secondary programming to ensure alignment with state standards and individualized student needs.

• The Special Education Coordinator and Assessment Specialist provides special education coordination and leadership, DYS assessment services, and special education instruction and ensure the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to youth with disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Colorado Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA), and Department of Youth Services (DYS) education policies and practices.

• This position is responsible for developing and maintaining Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and special education continuum of services; communicating student data to stakeholders; and serving as the liaison between the school and other work units as well as DYS Special Education District Office. The Special Education Building Coordinator and Assessment Specialist provides leadership in planning, implementing, and coordinating special education programming in alignment with district, state, and Federal regulations.  This role supports special education teachers and paraprofessionals in implementing the full special education processes and continuum of services, while also executing and supporting progress monitoring, education planning and classroom behavioral support processes, transitional planning, and all required documentation. Collaborates with parents, administrators, social workers, and related service providers to ensure appropriate services for eligible youth and assists with design and implementation of intervention courses and content and provides a holistic review of academic, behavioral, functional, and transition needs of committed youth. The role serves as an assessment specialist and administer achievement, vocational, transitional, adaptive, and behavioral assessments to committed youth, analyzing and interpreting results and preparing the written reports with educational recommendations. Uses required student information systems to document required information and serves as the education representative on the multidisciplinary assessment team (MDT) after a comprehensive and in depth review of IEP needs, student placement records, school related data,  and out of district IEPs and 504s. Reviews all the relevant data and student progress in accordance with federal Child Find requirements and CDE identification processes for all committed youth entering the facility and ensures education participation in the broader facility assessment process, student review processes,  and progress monitoring. Classroom planning and instruction is created that aligns with DYS educational model and IEP and 504 outcomes.

Summary of Job Duties:

• Provide oversight, coordination, and implementation of special education programming, compliance, and Child Find processes in alignment with federal and state law, DYS policy, IDEA and related Federal laws, DYS education QAYS expectations and aligned to instructional and special education district outcomes. Ensure the integrity, implementation, and monitoring of all special education systems within the school and take responsibility for writing and reviewing IEPs, creating transitional plans, supporting special education and 504 students, and monitoring intervention and support content.
  • Lead Legal Compliance & Systems Oversight
  • Provide IEP Leadership
  • Coordinate Child Find & Assessment Processes
  • Provide Communication, Instruction, & Collaboration

• 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 know and follow policy and procedures of DYS, the education program, and the overall 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 behavior responses and Incident Reports. Adhere to Code of Conduct, the use of appropriate boundaries, and professional norms of behavior for the workplace. Follow leave policy and procedures. Serve as substitute teacher as needed using emergency plans and/or created plans to assist with education programming. Collaborate to create a positive culture and climate with adherence to and enforcement of workplace policies, Code of Conduct expectations, professional boundaries, sanctuary norms, and standards of professional behavior. Support classrooms during instruction. 

Note: 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.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment. 
• Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position preferably in special education teaching and/or administrative experience.

• Current, valid Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education with an endorsement in Special Education.

• None

• Knowledge of effective research-based instructional strategies
• Understandings of classroom-based behavioral interventions
• Able to build rapport with students while maintaining boundaries
• Experience with urban and at-risk populations
• Content area knowledge 
• Team work and cross curricular collaboration
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication
• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity & Solving
• Safety and Security
• Technology enhance instruction

• Dual endorsements or documentation or ability to be endorsed in multiple content areas. 
• Licensure aligned to position. 
• Experience with special needs populations: youth with IEPs, 504s, Multilingual backgrounds
• Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth 
• Proficient use of data to inform instructional practices
• Leadership roles and experience 
• Secondary school experience 
• Trauma-Informed practices and knowledge as it applies to at risk populations and classroom instruction
• Experience with differentiated instruction; developing lessons/curriculum and providing differentiated instruction
• Project-based learning experience
• Previous State Experience 

• Must be 21 years old or older
• Full Background: CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children)
• 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 Check 
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License
• Must travel to training and events in Denver area and other state facilities.
• CDE Teaching License; with and endorsement in Special Education
• Able to pass Escape and Evade training
• 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 children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained. At the DYS, the safety and protection of the youth who have been entrusted to us is our #1 priority.   The results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the Division of Youth Services and may be used as part of the Division's decision on whether a candidate is selected.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.  
• 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.

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. 

• 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.

• 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.  

• 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.     

• Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers  based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated.  You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, 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.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

•  Refer to the  Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact isaac.phelps@state.co.us

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

• CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. 

• This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

• We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

• If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.