CTE/Vocational Teacher - State Teacher I - Platte Valley Youth Services Center.
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
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.
Explore the DYS website to learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado.
About the Role
This position exists to provide career readiness learning through direct classroom instruction in a positive learning environment that fosters high academic expectations, development of 21st century skills, vocational and workforce readiness, and individual responsibility for learning. The role maintains a safe setting while providing special education, general education, and post-secondary education.
The work unit provides professional consultation to community programs and DYS facilities serving DYS youth and establishes collaboration with internal and external stakeholders that provide, supplement, or monitor education services.
The instructor will teach reading, writing, math, science, history, business, and technical skills for workforce readiness, including Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways such as Graphic Design, Business and Marketing, Hairstyling/Barbering, or other related programming. The role requires alignment with current federal, state, and district standards, including community college competencies, CTE vocational program information, career exploration, post-workforce readiness, transitional skills, and secondary literacy and math content.
Classroom content will align with Colorado Department of Education (CDE) state standards and prepared graduate outcomes while adhering to district initiatives and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) topics for committed youth in secondary and post-secondary tracks in a safe, trauma-informed environment. The instructor must engage in appropriate use of technology for teaching and learning, best practices in pedagogy, and prosocial youth development.
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain an appropriate classroom setting using effective classroom management skills and engagement strategies tailored to student needs, including implementation of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system and behavior tools.
- Assess new and continuing students using multiple assessment methods and collect evidence of learning.
- Prepare unit and daily lesson plans aligned with state standards and critical skills; design and implement assessment tools to evaluate student progress with appropriate rigor.
- Use a variety of research-based education strategies, including technology, to accommodate multi-age and multi-level students.
- Apply behavior and classroom management techniques within the framework of DYS.
- Ensure effective accommodations for special education students and those on special plans, while communicating growth and data for progress monitoring.
- Follow the DYS instructional framework, including daily learning objectives, relevant learning, and appropriate assessments to meet the needs of all youth.
- Maintain accurate educational records in IC and/or Trails, meeting deadlines, and subbing in other classrooms as required.
- Use technology to design, upload information, take daily attendance, and grade work appropriately.
- Participate in meetings with the Central Education Office, principal, treatment providers, and other teachers to review student and school progress.
- Develop comprehensive plans for subject matter implementation aligned with education goals and school development plans.
- Engage in professional development and apply learning to classroom practices.
- Use data effectively with Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) processes, progress monitoring, educational advocacy, and multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT).
- Assist in the safety and security of the school and facility by supervising residents, tools, and materials, and providing immediate assistance as necessary.
- Follow all policies and procedures of the Division of Youth Services, facility safety procedures, and trauma-informed culture expectations.
- Use Motivational Interviewing, the Sanctuary Model (including small group processes), and Restorative Justice language and frameworks.
- Adhere to the Code of Conduct, professional norms, and leave policies.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
- Current, valid Initial or Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
Substitutions:
- A current, valid Interim Teacher license or Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization may substitute for the Colorado Initial or Professional Teacher license.
- The educational and experience requirements of the Colorado Community College System for a vocational credential may substitute for the degree and license requirements (transcripts and evidence of occupational experience must be attached).
- U.S. Service Members (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, or Space Force) may meet content knowledge and experience requirements for CTE per Colorado Department of Education with:
- Three or more years’ active duty, or
- Guard/Reserves: 10 years’ experience, or five years’ experience with 12 months active-duty deployment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional work experience relevant to teaching hands-on skills and/or work readiness.
- Program development experience.
- Experience with programming for post-secondary and secondary youth.
- Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth.
- Proficient use of data to inform instructional practice.
- Trauma-informed practices and knowledge as applied to at-risk populations and classroom instruction.
- Community and work-related experience relevant to the current job market.
- Relevant years of state service.
Skills
- Experience implementing articulated systems and structures with fidelity.
- Understanding of classroom-based behavioral interventions.
- Ability to build rapport with students while maintaining boundaries.
- Experience with urban and at-risk populations.
- Strong interpersonal, oral communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to adhere to safety and security protocols.
- Proficiency in technology-enhanced instruction.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Attention to detail and strong decision-making skills.
- Ability to positively and professionally interact with administrators, staff, parents, clients, community members, and the judicial system.
- Collaborative problem-solving and ability to use feedback to create a positive culture and climate.
Conditions of Employment
- Must be 21 years old or older.
- Must be a Colorado state resident at the time of application and maintain residency throughout employment.
- Full background check, including CBI name check, fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, reference checks, and professional license verification (if applicable).
- Drug screen and PREA (Division of Youth Services only).
- For those with direct contact with children: Trails check and DIANA Screener.
- For those with direct contact with adults at Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, and Veterans Community Living Centers: CAPS.
- Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check and possession of a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
- Travel to training events and shadowing events in the Denver area and other state facilities.
- Successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
- Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application and explain why it should not disqualify them from the current position. Failure to provide this information may disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.