College And Career Readiness/Swap Coordinator (State Teacher II) - Golden

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies (Full time and part time).

Physical Job location:

About the Division of Youth Services:

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 this position:
The College and Career Specialist/SWAP State Teacher II supports the development of workforce readiness, postsecondary access, and career pathway planning for youth enrolled in the Division of Youth Services (DYS) education programs. This position integrates direct instruction, case management, and program coordination to prepare students for employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.

The position provides structured career development and academic skills programming through classroom instruction, individualized case management, and coordination with community and state partners including the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) with SWAP programming. The position ensures that academic skills, workforce readiness, pre-employment transition services, and postsecondary planning activities are systematically implemented, documented, and monitored.

The School To Work Alliance (SWAP) program portion of this position will support pre-employment and postsecondary transition services and reporting components, serve as a liaison between DVR and the DYS, and provide whole and small group instruction. This position is designed to enhance transition but does not supplant those existing requirements of DYS, DVR and Special Education.


Specific duties include:

• Provide structured classroom instruction focused on career readiness, workforce preparation, financial literacy, life skills, and postsecondary planning. Support students in understanding postsecondary pathways and assist with career and college planning activities including applications, FAFSA, scholarships, apprenticeships, internships, and training programs. Teach two or three course sections per academic term aligned with workforce readiness competencies, ICAP requirements, and transition programming. Instruction includes the following topics: Academic skills used in workplaces including reading, writing, and comprehension; Computer skills used in workplaces; Career exploration and pathway development; Resume development, job search skills, and interviewing; Financial literacy and budgeting; Soft skills and Workplace communication, professionalism, and teamwork; Entrepreneurship and basic business concepts; Postsecondary planning including trade schools, apprenticeships, community college, and four-year institutions.

• Coordinate DVR-related eligibility determination, transition service planning, and documentation in accordance with DVR policies, SWAP contract requirements, and DYS procedures. Collaborate with DVR counselors to assist in identifying viable employment goals and appropriate pre-employment transition services that support career pathway development. Maintain accurate documentation of services provided, case records, and program activities in accordance with SWAP contract requirements and DVR guideline.
• Assist in identifying students who may be eligible or potentially eligible for DVR services and support the referral and eligibility determination process by gathering and organizing appropriate documentation including educational records, psychological evaluations, IEP documentation, medical documentation, and transition assessments. Ensure services support both students with disabilities and potentially eligible students in accessing workforce readiness services and career exploration opportunities. Attend meetings and trainings to further understanding and needs.

• Use systems for and plan for case management, courses and instruction, meetings, and reporting and identify outcomes and data. Develop and maintain systems that support the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of college and career readiness programming, academic readiness for careers and college, and progress monitoring. Plan and coordinate activities related to case management, instruction and courses, meetings, and reporting to ensure students receive structured transition services, course work for career and college readiness, and certifications related to skills. Maintain an active caseload of students receiving transition services and provide individualized career planning support. Responsibilities include: Developing individualized career and postsecondary action plans and ICAPs; Documenting student meetings and case notes; Monitoring progress toward goals; Supporting students with college applications, FAFSA completion, scholarships, and vocational training opportunities; Monitoring student participation in college coursework or postsecondary programs; Coordinating services with identified teams to include teachers, special education staff, DVR counselors, and client managers.

Applicants must meet all listed requirements below to move forward in the selection process AND must provide all supporting documents to be considered for this position.

Education/ Licensure/ Certification / Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
• Current, valid Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education.
• AND Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

• The educational and experience requirements of the Colorado Community College System for a vocational credential will substitute for the degree and license requirements. (Transcripts and EVIDENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE must be attached to be considered for this substitution.
• U.S. Service Member Applicants may meet content knowledge and experience requirements of the CTE per Colorado Department of Education, as follows:
  • U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy or Space Force members: three or more years’ active duty
  • Guard/Reserves: 10 years’ experience, or five years’ experience with 12 months active-duty deployment
  • Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), time of service and an honorable discharge must be verified on a DD214 member copy 4 (submitted in application)

• Current and valid CDE license
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Experience developing, implementing, and/or monitoring educational programming, standards-based curriculum, and trauma-responsive/restorative environments.
• Emotional intelligence.
• Experience with at-risk youth.
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Relevant years of state service experience.

Highly Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Colorado Academic Standards for K-12 education.
• Demonstrated knowledge in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong decision-making skills and follow through.
• Ability to positively and professionally interact with administrators, staff, parents, clients, community members and the judicial system.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Ability to collaboratively problem solve, ask for and use feedback, and create positive culture and climate.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be 21 years old or older.
• Full Background check: 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), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).
• 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.
• Travel in the region as necessary to support partnerships as well as to attend and support professional development or training within the state.
• 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.
• 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. Your results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the DYS and may be used as part of the Division's decision to select you
• 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.