This is the supervisory level of the series. Positions in this classification provide supervision and leadership to subordinate Youth Academy Counseling and Coordination Specialist positions which focus on either guidance counseling services for Academy participants or case management/recruitment and assessment functions of the Washington Youth Academy (WYA).

Guidance Counseling: These positions supervise and oversee guidance counseling programs offered to Academy participants. These positions also provide professional level guidance counseling to at-risk youth, who are participants in the WYA. Guidance counseling includes individual counseling, academic and career counseling, and group guidance addressing social subjects such as drug/alcohol awareness, cultural diversity, and anger management. These guidance counselors assist Academy participants to adhere to the program’s Life Plan upon entry into the 52-week, post-residential phase of the WYA.

Recruiting, Placement, and Mentor Program Coordination: These supervisory positions manage staff and perform duties primarily associated with recruiting/admissions and case management. They also coordinate the Recruiting, Placement, and Mentor (RPM) program functions and provide leadership in developing/maintaining the recruiting advertising program, processing student applications, processing mentor applications, and tracking program graduates.

Incumbents have delegated authority to interview and recommend selection of applicants for lower level Youth Academy Counseling and Coordination Specialist positions, conduct training, assign and schedule work, act upon leave requests, conduct annual performance evaluations and recommend corrective and/or disciplinary actions. Incumbents review the work of lower level staff and use independent judgment to accomplish assignments, develop or revise work methods, procedures or strategies, resolve problems, interpret rules, policies and procedures, and make recommendations regarding unit budget.

Develops, plans, and administers a behavioral, academic, and life skills counseling program that will help Academy participants succeed in the WYA program and give them the knowledge and tools to become mature young adults, socially responsible citizens, and productive members of society;

Supervises staff of guidance counselors who are primarily responsible for conducting individual and group counseling sessions that help Academy participants develop personal discipline, self esteem, life coping skills, drug and alcohol education, career/vocational planning, etc.;

Supervises and manages the recruiting/admissions staff and case managers who are primarily responsible for developing/maintaining the recruiting advertising program, processing student applications, processing mentor applications, and tracking program graduates;

Participates in screening and interviewing applicants to the WYA and assists in selecting candidates who have the best chance of success in meeting their individual and program goals;

Ensures all required student and mentor application documents are accurate and complete and students accepted for enrollment meet all program requirements prior to the in-processing start date;

Works with Academy participants identified as having mental, emotional, or behavioral issues to help them develop and reinforce coping mechanisms and socially acceptable behaviors;

Makes recommendations concerning Academy participant training, duties, or separation from the program when in the best interests of the WYA.

Recommends and conducts training for other WYA staff members on methods of dealing with different Academy participant’s behaviors, anger management issues, problems with self esteem, etc.;

Develops effective procedures to gather and analyze program data on demographics, performance, trends, etc. that will assist in operational and strategic planning;

Ensures individual Academy participant and mentor contact information are entered into the National Guard Bureau data bases and reporting system and required reports are accurate and submitted on time;

Prepares applicable portions of the program budget requests;

Performs other duties as required.

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.

Individuals working with at-risk youths must take and pass pre-employment and periodic drug tests as outlined by Agency policy/procedure.

Individuals working with at-risk youths must complete pre-employment and periodic background checks as outlined by Agency policy/ procedure.

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.

For Counseling positions:

A Master’s degree with a major in counseling and an Educational Staff Associate (E.S.A.) School Counselor certification from the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (O.S.P.I);

AND

Two years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, educational, vocational or health related programs.    

For Coordination positions: 

A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, business administration, public administration or an allied field;

AND

Four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, educational, vocational, or health related programs.  Additional qualifying experience can substitute for education on a year for year basis. 

 

A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, business administration, public administration or allied field will substitute for two years of the experience requirement.

New class adopted March 13, 2008, established March 14, 2008.

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