Associate Deputy Director of Administrative Operations - Division of Youth Services

Department Information

 

This position is open only to classified permanent employees of the listed department and division within that department.

Division of Youth Services  

4255 S. Knox Court

 Denver, CO 8023

CDHSCareers

About the Division of Youth Services: The DYS Director's Office includes all Central Division administration activities and responsibilities
related to the management and oversight of State-operated institutions and privately contracted residential and non-residential services for both detained and committed youth. In addition, DYS administers a community-based system that includes case management and parole services, and CYDC Community-based Detention Services. The Director's Office maintains responsibility for the following administrative functions: establishing and monitoring standards for service; developing policies and procedures and auditing programs and services for compliance; developing and allocating resources for programs and providing administrative systems to support programs, such as data, financial management, and contracting systems; developing and implementing short-term and State of Colorado Position Description 1/2025 Page 2 of 15
long-term Division goals and planning initiatives to address DYS's current and future program and resource needs.

Description of Job

About the Position - This position serves as a member of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) executive leadership team and, under broad
administrative direction from the Division Director, provides executive management over the Division’s Administrative Operations programs. The position is responsible for the strategic planning, direction, integration, and implementation of DYS’s administrative operations functions, including legislative affairs, division policy, compliance and monitoring, data management and analytics, records management, systems administration, and personnel administration. These centralized programs establish the administrative operations framework that supports all DYS facilities, the central office, and contract programs across DYS.

The position will develop and implement statewide administrative strategies that ensure compliance with all federal and state statutes, including the Colorado Children's Code, executive orders, administrative rules, and CDHS policies. This position establishes the Division’s administrative priorities, directs the development, interpretation, and implementation of the DYS policies, determines compliance with these policies, and establishes the process and standards to ensure integration across the division within youth center operations, health and education services, regional and community partnerships, and parole services.

This position will serve as the Division’s authority for legislative coordination, regulatory development, and policy administration. The position will independently evaluate proposed legislation, determine operational and fiscal impact to the Division, establish implementation strategies for legislation, direct development of legislative analyses and fiscal information, and provide executive recommendations to the DYS Division Director regarding all legislative priorities, policies, organizational risk, and resource allocation. The position will also represent the Division in statewide collaborations and meetings with the Joint Budget Committee, Capital Development Committee, Colorado Judicial Department, Division of Criminal Justice, Attorney General’s Office, CDHS executive leadership, and other state and local partners to help resolve complex policy, operational, and interagency issues affecting juvenile justice policy, practice, and legislation that will impact the Division.

The position will provide direct management and oversight to the Division’s Administrative Operations program, supervising managers and professional staff, including policy administrators, compliance administrators, data management and analytics teams, systems administration teams, and records management teams. This position is responsible for establishing the direction, priorities, allocation of resources, evaluation of the effectiveness of each team/position, performance management, and ensuring the consistent implementation of division-wide administrative operations initiatives.

This position is expected to provide executive leadership and in coordination with the Division Director, have decision-making authority on areas affecting division policy implementation, administrative operations, legislative strategy, division compliance, and stakeholder partnerships, to ensure the safety and well-being of DYS.

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Job Duties

Leadership/ Management:

• Serves as a member of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) Executive Leadership Team and, under broad administrative direction from the Division Director, provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and management of the Division's statewide Administrative Operations Program, including legislative affairs, policy administration, compliance and monitoring, records management, data management and analytics, systems administration, and personnel administration.

• Establishes the Division's administrative operations framework by developing strategic priorities, organizational goals, statewide standards, and long-range plans that support all DYS youth centers, parole services, regional operations, contract providers, and central office functions.

•  Exercises full supervisory and managerial authority over subordinate managers, supervisors, and professional staff, including hiring, performance management, coaching, discipline, promotions, succession planning, workforce planning, and leadership development in accordance with State Personnel Rules and Department policies. 

• Directs the development, interpretation, implementation, and evaluation of Division policies, administrative procedures, and compliance standards to ensure consistency with federal and state laws, executive directives, CDHS policies, and nationally recognized best practices.

• Provides executive oversight of Division-wide legislative coordination, policy implementation, compliance monitoring, organizational performance, administrative systems, records management, and enterprise data governance to ensure operational consistency and organizational accountability. 

• Advises the Division Director regarding legislative priorities, organizational structure, workforce planning, operational risk, administrative operations, fiscal impacts, strategic initiatives, and allocation of personnel and fiscal resources.

• Represents the Division before executive leadership, legislative committees, state agencies, judicial partners, advocacy organizations, and other internal and external stakeholders to resolve complex administrative, legislative, compliance, policy, and operational issues. 

• Directs organizational change initiatives, strategic projects, process improvements, implementation of legislation, technology modernization, and operational improvements while ensuring continuity of statewide operations and alignment with Division objectives. 

• Evaluates organizational performance, identifies operational risks and compliance deficiencies, directs corrective action planning, reallocates resources as necessary, and holds subordinate managers accountable for achieving Division goals and performance outcomes. 

• Ensures equitable employment practices, employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, and continuous organizational improvement while fostering collaboration and accountability across all Administrative Operations functions. 

Policy and Legislation:

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Division's statewide legislative affairs, policy administration, and regulatory activities, ensuring alignment with the Division's mission, CDHS’s priorities, and state and federal requirements. 

• Establishes the Division's legislative strategy by evaluating proposed legislation, determining operational, fiscal, staffing, and policy impacts, developing implementation strategies, and recommending legislative priorities and executive actions to the Division Director. 
• Directs the development, interpretation, implementation, and continuous evaluation of Division policies, administrative procedures, and regulatory guidance to ensure consistent statewide application and compliance with federal and state laws, executive directives, and Department policies.
• Establishes Division-wide policy priorities, implementation standards, and governance processes to ensure  consistent application across youth centers, parole services, regional operations, contract providers, and central office functions.
• Provides executive oversight of legislative analyses, fiscal impact assessments, bill tracking, implementation planning, and regulatory initiatives affecting Division programs and operations.
• Represents the Division in legislative hearings, policy workgroups, regulatory discussions, executive meetings, and interagency collaborations with the Colorado General Assembly, Joint Budget Committee, Attorney General's Office, Colorado Judicial Department, Division of Criminal Justice, CDHS Executive Leadership, county partners, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders. 
• Directs coordination with the Office of the Attorney General regarding statutory interpretation, legal guidance, regulatory matters, litigation support, and implementation of new laws affecting Division operations. 
• Directs statewide policy compliance reviews, internal policy governance, regulatory monitoring, and audit coordination to ensure administrative practices remain consistent with statutory requirements, accreditation standards, and organizational objectives
• Establishes strategic priorities for policy modernization, legislative implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives while directing subordinate managers responsible for policy administration, compliance, and legislative coordination. 
• Advises the Division Director and Executive Leadership Team regarding legislative priorities, organizational risk, policy interpretation, regulatory compliance, and emerging issues affecting statewide juvenile justice operations.

Strategic Planning, Organizational Performance, and Implementation:

This position serves as the DYS subject matter expert with regard to tactical planning efforts to improve outcomes.

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  Provides executive leadership for the Division's strategic planning and organizational performance initiatives by establishing long-range administrative strategies, implementation priorities, and performance expectations that support the Division's administrative operations, mission, statewide juvenile justice objectives, and Department strategic goals.

• Directs Division-wide strategic planning efforts by integrating operational priorities, legislative initiatives, organizational objectives, performance measures, fiscal planning, workforce planning, and continuous improvement activities across Administrative Operations and DYS programs.

• Establishes organizational performance measures, outcome indicators, and accountability systems that evaluate operational effectiveness, compliance, service quality, organizational efficiency, and progress toward Division strategic objectives. 

• Leads policy reviews, program evaluations, and cross-functional planning initiatives to identify systemic issues, operational risks, resource needs, and opportunities to improve statewide service delivery and administrative effectiveness. 

• Directs implementation of strategic initiatives by establishing priorities, assigning organizational responsibilities, monitoring progress, evaluating results, and ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, Department priorities, and Division goals. 

• Provides executive guidance to Division leadership regarding emerging trends, evidence-based practices, organizational risks, and innovative strategies that improve administrative operations, policy implementation, and outcomes for youth in youth centers and parole. 

• Directs long-range planning for personnel, fiscal, technology, and operational resources to ensure Administrative Operations programs remain responsive to changing legislation, organizational priorities, workload demands, and statewide service needs. 

• Collaborates with executive leadership, internal partners, and external stakeholders to develop coordinated organizational strategies, performance improvement initiatives, and resource planning efforts that support Division-wide operational excellence. 

• Evaluates organizational performance, strategic initiatives, and implementation outcomes and recommends adjustments to priorities, resource allocation, operational practices, and administrative processes to improve organizational effectiveness and achievement of Division objectives within youth center operations and parole services.

Other duties as assigned:

In conjunction with the Division Director, this position works with the DYS Communication Manager to ensure Division-related CORA requests are met within the required timeframe. 

• Performs other duties as assigned to support Division objectives 

• Attend meetings as demanded.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & APPEAL RIGHTS: 
Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience developing, implementing, or administering policy, practices, or Standard Operating Positions, in a residential, juvenile justice, child welfare, or detention/correctional setting.

• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience, including assigning work, setting priorities, conducting performance evaluations, and coaching staff.

• Working knowledge of relevant licensing body regulations, and state or federal regulations related to corrections operations, such as the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), American Correctional Association (ACA), and Juvenile Justice Reform Act 

• Advance degree such as an MBA, MPA, or J.D.

• Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

Conditions of Employment:

• Full Background  CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): 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)

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence

• Current/valid and non-restricted CO Driver’s License

• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.

• Travel -Frequent travel throughout the State of Colorado and occasional out-of-state travel

• 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 the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position.  Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
 
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail 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.
 
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

 
For additional recruiting questions, please contact [email protected]. 


About Us: 
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining 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. 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 www.copera.org 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
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• 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. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.
 
Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

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.

ADAA 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 [email protected].

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of ColoradoAddress See the full announcement by clicking
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Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/