About this opportunity
Pueblo Community College lists this Principal - State Teacher III - Lookout Mountain Youth Service Center opportunity in golden, Colorado. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
This position is open only to Colorado state residents
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.
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.
This work unit is responsible for delivering 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.
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:
Summary of this position
The Principal creates a school environment in which students learn and make progress across all educational domains while also growing in social emotional regulation and the use of treatment tools to support successful transition back to the community. The Principal is responsible for supervising, planning, and assuring the delivery of daily educational services to students. This includes oversight of the individualization and integration of curriculum to meet diverse student needs while aligning with grade‑level expectations, postsecondary and workforce readiness goals, the Division of Youth Services (DYS) district instructional model and curriculum guidelines, special and general education outcomes, assessment requirements, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) and career pathway outcomes. The role ensures coherence in the collection, analysis, and use of data and information across classrooms and the broader facility system, making data accessible and meaningful for all stakeholders, including teachers and students and is responsible for effective education data management, monitoring, and reporting through established systems and structures on a monthly basis and as otherwise directed. This position facilitates ongoing communication and collaboration between the school program and other programs within the facility, while maintaining safety and security and ensuring adherence to all facility policies and procedures; the role ensures compliance with all legally mandated state and federal education requirements, accreditation expectations, and assures timely, accurate communication with Central Office and other stakeholders in accordance with established processes and protocols. The Principal oversees human resource functions within the school program, ensuring that supervision, coaching cycles, performance management, and all state and agency HR processes are implemented with fidelity for all education staff. The role also builds and sustains strong partnerships with parents, families, and community stakeholders. Responsible for maintaining CDE Principal or Administrator licensure.
Curriculum, Data and Instructional Leadership
Supervises and guides the development and implementation of curriculum and instructional practices across general education, special education and intervention services, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) and career courses while assessing overall effectiveness
Monitors the ongoing completion of unit plans and daily lesson plans and evaluates the quality of those plans, providing feedback and action steps. This includes ensuring fidelity of engagement strategies, clear teacher pedagogical approaches, planning for relevance and career connections, alignment with clear learning goals, state standards and graduation competencies
Observation, coaching, and data will further reflect the classroom and school use of the DYS Education Instructional Model, ratings for accreditation standards, as well as targeted elements of Project Based Learning
Provides a structured plan for ongoing professional development for teachers, both individually and collectively to include instructional coaching, professional learning aligned with DYS initiatives, classroom observations and monitoring growth in instructional or workplace practices, and responding to identified student needs with targeted lessons and data collection/use to guide practice
Collects monthly and ongoing data related to student progress in essential skills, targeted outcomes, and classwork/computer‑based work as well as formative and summative assessment performance, ensuring data is systematically tracked and monitored
Provides leadership and establishes expectations for data‑driven instruction, including detailed plans to address student needs through comprehensive Multi‑Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) processes and intervention processes
Assures progress monitoring for both special education and general education is current, accurate, and complete and documents skill monitoring for post‑secondary youth. Collects and analyzes data from classroom observations, grades, behavioral incidents, and other sources to assess educational programming effectiveness and student progress and provides a coherent analysis of the data
Utilizes required data and monitoring systems, including Smartsheets, TRAILS, staff supervision tools, classroom observation systems, SIS, and HR tracking mechanisms for both education staff and youth served, within established timelines
Program Supervision, Strategy, and Communication
Supervises, evaluates, and guides the implementation of academic, Title I, special education, vocational, and postsecondary programming to ensure fidelity to established guidelines, regulatory requirements, and DYS expectations. Establishes and maintains systems to monitor compliance with state and federal laws, DYS education policies, and special education & general education audit standards
Develops, implements, and monitors the annual School Development Plan (SDP) within established timelines and processes, including alignment with QAYS standards and ensures the plan serves as a structured process for the education team and facility leadership to understand data trends, compliance requirements, program progress, and identified needs
Oversees and/or completes all required reporting related to QAYS standards, accreditation requirements, and educational outcomes at designated intervals. Ensures documentation, data collection, and reporting are accurate, timely, and aligned with required standards, including documented student progress and clear communication of school‑based issues and successes
Reviews and analyzes student educational records, transcripts, assessment data, and performance information to determine individual academic needs and to create an academic plan for each student and uses this information to inform master scheduling, course offerings, and graduation planning. Develops and/or monitors the academic and post secondary plans and timelines
Ensures school operations, schedules, youth plans and cross‑departmental decisions are communicated clearly and effectively to all relevant stakeholders while seeking collaboration from other departments prior to decision implementation
Provides ongoing, accurate, and timely communication to facility leadership, the Facility Director, the Education Office, and the Director of Education which includes expected and standing updates on strategic plan implementation, human resource processes and progress, mandated testing plans and outcomes, supervision processes, youth programming, staffing concerns, compliance matters, and identified action steps
Plans and facilitates structured communication systems for the education team, including weekly team meetings, MTSS meetings, special education coordination meetings, and dissemination of facility leadership information; ensures meetings include structured agendas, documentation of decisions, and clear follow‑up action steps. Ensures consistent understanding and use of Education Office processes, forms, and protocols across all education positions
Manages the site education budget in alignment with DYS Education Office guidance and provides monthly financial reports to the Education Director
Models and performs professional communication with youth support networks, including families and external partners
Supervision, Coaching, and Performance Management Leadership
Supervises education staff through scheduled all‑period classroom observations, accreditation‑required observations, and monthly documented classroom walkthroughs, as well as observations conducted in other professional settings during the duty day
Provides in‑class modeling of lessons, instructional objectives, classroom management strategies, and professional expectations, including modeling reflective practice, effective time management and adherence to deadlines
Evaluates staff performance across core competencies within the Performance Management Program (PMP), assigned duties outlined in position descriptions, and identified professional focus areas aligned to QAYS standards, Cognia accreditation requirements, the DYS Education Instructional Model, and the School Development Plan (SDP)
Provides actionable feedback, establishes next steps for improvement, and implements performance improvement plans when staff do not meet established standards, following all applicable HR processes
Completes PMP evaluations in a thorough and timely manner in accordance with required deadlines
Ensures consistent communication of expectations, including creation and review of instructional documents, instructional assignments and course planning, daily schedules, meeting and collaboration expectations, safety norms, work expectations, ongoing duties, and critical deadlines for all education staff
Monitors and reviews classroom management practices, behavioral interventions, and restorative approaches to student behavior and reviews classroom incidents. Approves annual and sick leave in alignment with staffing and operational needs
Facilitates productive staff meetings, supervision meetings, facility information debriefs, and collective student data reviews with documented agendas, clarity and actionable outcomes
Ensures effective implementation of student behavior management practices across educational settings
Leads hiring, onboarding, and training of new staff within established timelines and agency processes and maintains accountability for action plans, agreements, and performance expectations
Teamwork, Culture, and Climate
Collaborate and communicate with key stakeholders, including clinicians, client managers, facility administration, students, education teams and parents, regarding school program practices, student progress, expected outcomes, student data and goals, and programmatic information
Incorporate student efficacy and recognition in programming and classrooms through the use of student‑led conferences, student recognition processes, honor roll, education open houses, and goal sharing and stakeholder communication through parent phone calls, client manager outreach for youth on plans or who have received IRs, staff meetings, professional outreach, small teams and treatment team opportunities
Schedule regular staff roundtables and feedback forums, monitor action items, and addresses identified needs in coordination with facility leadership and supervisors while also serving as an active member of the facility leadership team, meeting the participation expectations, follow‑up responsibilities, and established timelines.
Maintain communication that is ongoing, consistent, clear, and professional with DYS staff, facility personnel, and the Education Office and that is tailored to the needs of the meeting, stakeholder group, or event
Utilize required structured communication as well as informal communication tools to ensure stakeholders work collaboratively to support student educational needs and facility goals. Participate in monthly DYS Principal meetings, collaborative supervision structures, and cross‑facility communication processes that promote teamwork and alignment across the work unit, facility, and DYS system
Communicate directly and consistently with the Director of Education in writing and in meetings regarding human resources, personnel matters, budget, supervision, and programming, providing clear information, problem identification, and solution‑oriented recommendations while also sharing plans to address climate needs within the team or facility. Ensure the same information is readily available to the Facility Director and other relevant leadership staff
Engage in efforts to strengthen workplace culture and climate across the facility and within the education program by modeling and implementing Sanctuary tools and language, using trauma‑informed practices and restorative processes, and championing the phase and points system as well as providing positive recognition and incorporating the facility systems (e.g., EAC)
Design and implement principal‑led and education‑led programming and special events, student recognition, and school climate initiatives
Ensure positive culture and climate with adherence to and enforcement of workplace policies, Code of Conduct expectations, professional boundaries, and standards of professional behavior, utilizing accountability measures when necessary
Safety and Security
Evaluate and regulate security and safety of students and staff by exercising security and control practices pursuant to agency standards. Ensure all staff follow required safety and security policies and practices of the facility and that this is appropriately modeled
Regularly evaluate the school physical plant for safety/security issues: broken furniture, damage to walls/windows/doors, cluttered classrooms
Follow policy and expectations while also ensuring classroom teachers are well‑versed in policy and expectations
Provide ongoing feedback for education staff and work with facility leadership, shift supervisors, and YSS on needs, coaching plans, and communication to create safe practices and school environments
Document all behavioral data and responses to share as necessary to address safety concerns
Use de‑escalation techniques when needed
Monitor youth activity in hallways, classrooms, recreation time, and on pod as needed. Provide follow‑up information to relevant stakeholders
Conditions of Employment
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, if the employee will drive a state‑owned vehicle, either in an on‑going capacity while performing their normal day‑to‑day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.
Must possess a valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License or an non‑restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border.
Out‑of‑State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.
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.
Minimum Qualifications
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
Four (4) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position
Special Qualifications
Professional Principal License
Special Education Director License
Professional Administrator License
Preferred Candidates will possess the following qualifications
Experience working with at‑risk or adjudicated youth
Leadership experience
Proficient use of assessment data to inform instructional practice
Experience building a program
Relevant years of state service
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Experience with implementing articulated systems and structures with fidelity
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
Systems thinking
Team work and cross curricular collaboration
Interpersonal Skills
Oral Communication
Oral Comprehension
Problem Sensitivity & Solving
Safety and Security
Technology enhance instruction
Highly Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Licensure aligned to position or ability to obtain licensure.
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 decision making and instructional practices
Leadership roles and experience
Dean, Coach, Coordinator Role and/or Assistant Principal 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
State Experience
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 ( ), 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 ) 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 , 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.
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
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
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.