Reporting to the Washington Youth Academy (WYA) Deputy Director or Director, manages and provides administrative direction to all cadet residential programs, health care center services, and/or community services. Manages Youth Academy Residential Specialist supervisory staff to ensure consistency and coordination between units and that residential operations requirements, program objectives and student goals are met. Develops and implements policies and procedures in support of the Academy’s Youth ChalleNGe Program and National program standards. Active participant in the development of the academy’s strategic planning process and responsible for ensuring the program, Department and National goals and requirements are achieved, in accordance with the National Guard Bureau’s regulations.

Designated program manager responsible for implementation, assessment and administration of specialized youth-focused programs and projects supporting the Core Components of the Academy’s 22-week residential phase. Specialized program and project management includes: development and delivery of educational and service learning opportunities; outreach to community partners and stakeholders in order to develop community service projects for cadets; conducts safety and risk assessments on all cadet activities.

Incumbents have full delegated authority to manage cadet residential operations on assigned shifts, direct and manage assigned programs, develop and implement policies and procedures for assigned programs, interview and recommend selection of applicants for Youth Academy Residential Specialist supervisory positions, ensure development and delivery of required staff and student training, and participate in the development of the academy’s budget.

Functions as the designated training officer and educational liaison; is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering cadre and cadet training requirements, including Service Learning activities and the academic core component program for the cadets;

Manages academy residential operations across residential units and/or shifts. Supervises, manages, coaches and mentors residential supervisory staff to ensure consistency and coordination between Platoon operations, expectations and student programs.

Manages and directs the Health Care Center program and operations. Coordinates and oversees all aspects of Academy programs to provide basic first aid and performs routine home healthcare functions for the Academy’s participants.

Responsible for the development and delivery of residential training requirements for Academy participants and residential staff. Facilitates and oversees staff attendance at mandatory orientations and on-going mandatory training modules. Implements Academy participant training and ensures compliance with the mandatory components of the master cooperative agreement including “pre-challenge” and all supporting service requirements of physical training, president physical fitness mandates, residential services including drill and ceremony, disciplinary structure, and 8 CORE components. Conducts formations, develops and maintains cadet/cadre plan of the day outlining the daily training schedule.

Provides leadership and oversight in residential staffing decisions. Oversees the screening and interviewing process for WYA residential staff and makes selection recommendations to appoint candidates indentified as best qualified to succeed in meeting individual and program goals.

Manages and oversees the Peer Review Board program’s structure and operations. Provides guidance and leadership to Academy participants involved in conducting the board and acts as primary advisor to the cadet peer review board. Counsels and mentors Academy participants in making effective and ethical decisions. Develops and maintains the participant award/recognition system and ceremonies within approved policy, conducts daily inspections and review of safety and welfare procedures and provides oversight for the cadet corps disciplinary system.

Prepares applicable portions of the program budget requests.

Documents and works to resolve staff concerns, administrative complaints and grievances. Participates in investigations and fact finding reviews as appropriate. Addresses personnel performance issues, utilizing progressive corrective measures and/or makes recommendations for disciplinary action.

Develops, maintains and oversees the 24/7 Cadre staffing schedule. Communicates schedule assignments, documents schedule changes, coordinate schedule issues with payroll and ensure adequate on call staff to cover for emergent situations, coverage of staff absence, and/or unscheduled leave. This includes analyzing staffing trends, minimizing staff overtime and ensuring adequate levels of staff to maintain the safety and security of the Cadets in the residential program.

Performs other duties as required.

A valid driver’s license is required.

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements may be required.

Individuals working with at-risk youth in a residential setting must complete and pass pre-employment and periodic background checks and periodic drug tests as outlined by Agency policies and procedures.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A bachelor’s degree and four years of experience working with at-risk youth or related experience such as youth services, social services, military, education or law enforcement.  Additional qualifying experience can substitute for education on a year for year basis.  A Master’s degree can substitute for one year of the required experience.

AND

At least two years of supervisory experience.  This experience may be gained concurrently with the experience listed above.

New class adopted February 10, 2011 and effective February 11, 2011.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.