Lead DSP Youth Residential

Ariel Clinical Services; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Group Life Insurance 100% covered

403B retirement plan with employer 5%

Mileage reimbursement

PTO and holidays

Wellness program

Job summary

Ariel Clinical Services in Grand Junction, CO seeks a Youth Residential Lead to provide direct care and program oversight in a 24-hour facility. The role requires leading structured activities, coordinating treatments, and ensuring compliance with standards while supporting youth goals.

This full-time position offers comprehensive benefits and the opportunity to mentor staff, coordinate services, and maintain safe, supportive residential care for at-risk youth.

Qualifications

• Trauma-informed care principles applied in residential settings.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation abilities.
• Mentor and coach staff; assist with supervision and training.
• Strong communication with youth, families, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care, supervision, and trauma-informed support in a structured environment.
• Coordinate recreational, educational, life-skills, and therapeutic activities.
• Support staff onboarding and development; model program expectations.
• Transport and coordinate youth appointments and visits.
• Maintain accurate documentation and resident files.
• Lead shift operations and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Staff mentorship

Communication skills

Youth development

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Youth Residential Lead

Grand Junction, CO

One Full-Time Position. 40 hours per week.

Days and hours vary: 24-hour facility

Hiring Range: $17.33 - $18.89 / hr., depending upon education and experience.

This position will remain open until filled.

Position Summary

This position provides direct care, staff support, and program oversight to ensure quality services, help youth achieve treatment goals, and maintain compliance with program standards.

Minimum Requirements

Required:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience with Ariel or within a human services, behavioral health, child welfare, residential care or related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with at-risk youth, residential care, behavioral health, child welfare, or a related human services setting.

Preferred:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in human services, Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, or a related field preferred.
• At least one (1) year of successful experience providing staff mentorship, training, shift coordination, or informal supervision.

We care about our team! At Ariel we offer an expansive benefit package:

Subject to Eligibility.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision at affordable rates.
• Group Life Insurance 100% covered.
• Group Accident, Hospitalization, Identity Fraud, and Critical Illness plan available at a discounted rate.
• HSA & FSA employee funded accounts.
• Generous Paid Time Off accrual - 13 PTO days in the first year, 48 hours of paid sick leave, and 11 paid holidays.
• $50/month for participation in Wellness Program.
• Retirement 403B & 403B employer match up to 5% at one year anniversary.
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• And committed to a Culture of Awesomeness!

Ariel Clinical Services has been in business for over 30 years!

• Ariel has grown significantly since its early days of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Today, we offer a broad range of services including residential programs, vocational support, foster care and adoption, therapy, and much more.
• We are proud to say we have expanded our reach beyond the Western Slope! Now, we provide services in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo.
• At Ariel, we deeply value our community and recognize the vital role it plays in the lives of our members and employees. That’s why we’re committed to staying engaged through both financial contributions and hands‑on service initiatives.
• As we continue to grow, we’re equally committed to fostering professional growth for our team. Many of our entry-level roles offer clear pathways for advancement within the organization.

Ariel Clinical Services Mission

To provide safe, nurturing, and supportive environments for children, families, and adults so that they may have the opportunities to develop their strengths, maximize their potential, and fully participate in society.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide direct care, supervision, and trauma-informed support to youth in a safe, structured environment.
2. Coordinate and facilitate recreational, educational, life-skills, and therapeutic activities.
3. Support staff onboarding, mentoring, and development by modeling program expectations and best practices.
4. Transport and coordinate youth appointments, including medical, behavioral health, educational, court, and family visits.
5. Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including logs, incident reports, medication records, and resident files.
6. Monitor, document, and communicate youth behaviors, health concerns, incidents, and safety risks.
7. Support treatment and service plans by helping youth develop independent living, social, emotional, and educational skills.
8. Assist with household operations, including meal planning, food preparation, inventory management, and food safety compliance.
9. Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming facility by monitoring supplies, reporting maintenance needs, and following safety procedures.
10. Respond to crises and behavioral concerns using approved de‑escalation and trauma-informed techniques.
11. Communicate effectively with families, guardians, caseworkers, schools, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to support coordinated care.
12. Provide shift leadership and operational support, participate in team meetings, support admissions and discharges, maintain regulatory compliance, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of trauma-informed care, youth development, residential services, and behavior management practices.
2. Knowledge of agency policies, licensing standards, documentation requirements, and safety procedures.
3. Ability to provide direct care, supervision, and support to youth in a structured residential environment.
4. Skilled in crisis intervention, de‑escalation, problem‑solving, and sound decision‑making.
5. Skilled in organizing work, prioritizing tasks, and supporting day‑to‑day program operations.
6. Ability to mentor, coach, and support staff while modeling professionalism and program expectations.
7. Strong verbal, written, and electronic communication skills with youth, families, staff, and community partners.
8. Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and positive working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
9. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, adapt to changing priorities, and provide operational leadership as needed.
10. Ability to maintain reliable attendance, work flexible schedules, and safely transport youth in accordance with agency requirements.

Certifications/Licenses

1. Valid Colorado Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
2. CPR, First Aid – before contact with clients.
3. Agency/Departmenttraining.
4. CPI within 60 days of hire; client contact is limited until this training is completed.
5. Informed Supervision.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Will give input to performance reviews, program practices and outcomes, training needs, etc. Will provide on‑job training and performance coaching.

Physical Demands

1. This position requires that the incumbent be capable of walking, bending, standing, sitting, stooping stretching, and/or reaching regularly for periods up to two hours without a break.
2. This position requires that the incumbent have adequate hand and finger dexterity to properly perform the functions of the position.
3. This position requires lifting regularly up to 25 pounds and pulling or pushing people in wheelchairs. Must be able and willing to transfer people weighing more than 50 pounds to and from wheelchairs with assistance from another staff member.
4. At times, physical interventions may be required.
5. This position requires the ability to hear, see, smell and distinguish temperature, at a level which is adequate to ensure client and staff health and safety. Adaptive devices are acceptable.
6. This position will require daily driving of up to one hour per day and occasionally as needed.

Work Environment

1. This position can and will be exposed to all environments from quiet to noisy, climate controlled to extreme outdoor heat and cold.
2. May work in the community or in family home environments.
3. Exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious disease is possible.
4. Exposure to hazardous chemicals is possible.

Required Background Checks & Documentation

1. Central Registry for child abuse
2. Criminal Background Investigation (CBI)
3. CBI Sex Offender Background Check
4. National Sex Offender Background Check
5. Federal Background Investigation (FBI) in CO > Two years
6. Reference check
7. Office of Inspector General
8. I-9 Documentation
9. Driver’s License Record
10. Reliable Automobile with adequate, valid auto insurance.