Job Description

Posting number: IKA 07419 07/14/2026

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: OCYF - Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center

Job classification: State Teacher I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Corrections, Education, Human Services, Higher Education, Education, Training & Library, Faculty, Instructor, Teacher

This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.

This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.

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

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.

Schedule: M-F, typically 7am start.

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

Purpose of this Position:
This work unit exists to provide academic, vocational, and other education-related services to youth in institutional facilities, to provide professional consultation to community programs which serve DYS youth, and to establish and maintain collaboration with other state and community agencies that provide or monitor education services.

This position exists to provide classroom instruction related to the needs of youth in special education. Subjects may include, but not limited to, Language Arts, Math, and Social Emotional Learning standards to committed youth in a safe and trauma informed environment. The teacher takes responsibility for knowledge of current state standards in literacy, math, and comprehensive health, special education law, in the area of technology instruction, and related subjects including best practice and research in teaching and learning.

Primary Job Duties:

Establishes and maintains an appropriate classroom setting through the use of effective classroom management skills and engagement strategies specific to student need to include progressive discipline, progressive skills, and interventions for behavior and academics. Assesses new and continuing students using multiple assessment methods and collecting multiple pieces of evidence of learning that include progress monitoring and standards based education with appropriate rigor and to reflect reading and writing tasks.

Prepares daily and unit lesson plans that are aligned with state standards, DYS power standards, and the critical skills needed and/or the CCSS content standards. Must document and submit digitally. Implements a variety of research-based education strategies (including technology) to accommodate multi-age/multi-level students to include project based learning and skills orientated focus. Ensures that the DYS instructional framework is followed with daily learning objectives and relevant learning that is scaffolded to meet the needs of all youth. This includes implementing interventions, IEP accommodations and modifications, IGCP goals, and behavioral plans with fidelity. Must utilize curriculum which is personally designed or prescribed.

Ensures educational records are in IC and/or Trails while meeting deadlines to include daily attendance and weekly grades based on academics. Selects behavior and classroom management techniques to apply within the framework of DYS. Ensuring effective accommodations are followed for special education students while also communicating growth and data needed for progress monitoring. Uses these skills for subbing in other classrooms as required; assures if a substitute is needed for classroom, robust lessons are left and timely.

Specific Duties Include:

• Provide ongoing data and feedback to the Special Education Coordinator regarding students’ needs, information for appropriate goals and objectives as related to the IEP, and share Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) strategies in which to utilize to enhance instruction and opportunities for the success of students with an IEP.
• Determines the level of complexity and standards to use for the classroom instruction based on the needs of each student and highest priorities.
• Determines the information to communicate with necessary stakeholders within a limited time frame.
• Based on the DYS instructional model and behavioral management structures, determine proactive positive behavioral interventions to implement within the classroom.
• Decides the themes and the topics used to engage youth.
• Determines how to integrate real-world career skills into all lessons.
• Assesses how to create and use rubrics for student work.

Qualifications

Experience must be described in detail on your application to receive credit. 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.

License:

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

Substitutions:

• None

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be 21 years old or older
• 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 Check , (MVR check) required,
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License
• Some travel may be required to attend meetings and/or a professional development or training within the state.
• CDE Professional Teaching License; Special Education License.
• Able to pass Escape and Evade training
• 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.
• 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
    
    

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

• 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.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process:

• 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.
  
  

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

• 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.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties:

• 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.

Supplemental Questions:

• 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).

Appeal Rights:

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.

Supplemental information

About Us & Benefits:

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

Our Values:

• 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.

ADA Accommodations:

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

EEO Statement: The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

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.

Additional Support For Your Application: Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

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.