Math Teacher (State Teacher I) - Spring Creek Youth Services Facility.

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: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys.

About the Role

This work unit delivers 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 postsecondary programming to ensure alignment with state standards and individualized student needs.

This position provides classroom instruction in assigned content areas with embedded workforce and career-related skills aligned to science, math, and/or literacy, using project-based units and engaging lessons. Instructional planning uses CDE state standards and prepared graduate outcomes while adhering to district initiatives and Social Emotional Learning topics for committed youth in secondary and post-secondary tracks in a safe and trauma-informed environment.

The teacher is responsible for staying current with state standards in assigned content areas, workforce readiness skills, appropriate use of technology for teaching and learning, and best practices in pedagogy and prosocial youth development.

Responsibilities

• Classroom Teacher:
  • Establish and maintain an appropriate classroom setting using effective classroom management skills and engagement strategies specific to student needs, including implementation of the PBIS system and behavior tools.
  • Assess new and continuing students using multiple assessment methods and collect multiple pieces of evidence of learning.
  • Prepare unit and daily lesson plans aligned with state standards and critical skills; design and implement a variety of assessment tools to evaluate student progress with appropriate rigor.
  • Implement research-based education strategies (including technology) to accommodate multi-age/multi-level students.
  • Follow the DYS instructional framework with daily learning objectives, relevant learning, and appropriate assessments while meeting the needs of all youth.
  • Ensure accurate educational records are maintained in IC and/or Trails while meeting deadlines.
  • Substitute in other classrooms as required.
  • Use technology to design, upload information, take daily attendance, and grade work appropriately.
• Meetings, Professional Development, and Progress Monitoring:
  • Meet informally and in scheduled meetings with Central Education Office members, principal, treatment providers, and other teachers to review student and school progress.
  • Develop comprehensive plans for implementation of subject matter aligned with education goals and school development plans.
  • Participate in professional and staff safety development and apply learning accordingly.
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries and effective presentation in the classroom and workplace.
  • Use data effectively with MTSS processes, progress monitoring, educational advocacy, and multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT).
  • Conduct monthly content reviews with the principal.
• Supportive to Culture and Safety of Facility:
  • Assist in the safety and security of the school and facility by supervising residents as needed and providing immediate assistance within the facility.
  • Consistently follow policy and procedures of the Division of Youth Services and the facility, with a focus on safety procedures for classrooms and youth.
  • Adhere to the trauma-informed culture and expectations, including Motivational Interviewing, Sanctuary Model, small group processes, and Restorative Justice frameworks.
  • Ensure daily count of materials.
  • Adhere to the Code of Conduct and professional norms of behavior.
  • Follow leave policy and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education and License:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in education or a field of study related to the work assignment.
  • Current, valid Initial or Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education.
• Substitutions:
  • Current, valid Colorado Adult Basic Education Authorization, Initial Special Services, or Special Services license will substitute for the Colorado Initial or Professional Teacher license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth.
• Proficient use of assessment data to inform instructional practice.
• Experience building a program.
• Relevant years of state service.

Skills

• Experience with implementing articulated systems and structures with fidelity.
• Understanding of classroom-based behavioral interventions.
• Able to build rapport with students while maintaining boundaries.
• Experience with urban and at-risk populations.
• Secondary school experience.
• Strong education and training, interpersonal, and oral communication skills.
• Oral comprehension and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adhere to safety and security protocols.
• Proficiency in technology-enhanced instruction.
• Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards for K-12 education.
• Demonstrated knowledge in 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.
• Ability to collaboratively problem solve, ask for and use feedback, and create a positive culture and climate.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a full background check, including CBI name check, fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, reference checks, and professional license verification (if applicable).
• Must pass a drug screen and PREA (Division of Youth Services only).
• For those with direct contact with children: Trails check.
• For those with direct contact with adults at the Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, and Veterans Community Living Centers: CAPS.
• Must be 21 years old or older.
• Must be a Colorado state resident at the time of application and maintain residency throughout employment.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check and possession of a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
• Must travel to training events and shadowing events in the Denver area and other state facilities.
• Continued employment contingent upon 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.