Positions in this class series are responsible for performing professional recruitment, admissions, cadet placement, case management, and guidance counseling duties for the Washington Youth Academy. The Washington Youth Academy (WYA) operates under the authority and guidelines of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. It is a voluntary program, for at-risk youths, which includes a 22-week residential academy followed by a 52- week post-residential mentoring phase. The purpose of the program is to intervene in the lives of high school dropouts and give them a second chance to: (1) earn their high school diploma, (2) retrieve credits and return to high school, or (3) complete their GED requirements.

Incumbents in this class series will focus in one of three areas: (1) recruitment and admissions/placement of candidates into the WYA, (2) case management for Academy participants, or (3) guidance counseling. Positions focusing on case management duties are responsible for coordinating the mentoring program and tracking mentorship activities during the 52-week post residential phase of the WYA. Positions focusing recruitment and admissions/placement duties are responsible for recruiting potential candidates into the program and processing applications, including developing and maintaining outreach programs and advertising. Positions focusing on guidance counseling services are responsible for providing academic and social guidance to the Academy participants and providing advice and training to the WYA staff on individual behavior and group dynamics.

Positions at this level are responsible for case management. This includes coordinating the WYA mentoring programs such as screening and interviewing mentor applicants, providing training to potential mentors and maintains regular contacts with them individually and collectively, tracking mentorship activities during the 52-week post-residential phase, and supporting ongoing WYA participant/mentor relationships upon completion of the residential program requirement.

Assists in developing/maintaining the recruiting/advertising program, processing WYA participant/mentor applications, and tracking program graduates;

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

Participates in screening and interviewing mentor applicants and ensure all required application documents are accurate and complete and mentors accepted into the program meet all requirements prior to the in-processing start date;

Provides required training to mentors and maintain regular contact with them individually and collectively;

Supports and facilitates the youth/mentor relationship and ensures it is healthy, positive, and productive;

Develops effective procedures to gather and analyze program data on each WYA graduate’s post-residential performance/placement that will assist in program analysis and operational planning;

Ensures youth-mentor contacts are taking place as required and contact information is entered into the National Guard Bureau data bases and required reports are accurate and submitted on time;

Prepares applicable portions of the program budget requests.

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

Individuals working with at-risk youth in a residential setting must complete and pass pre-employment and periodic background checks 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.

An Associates or higher level degree

OR

Experience in casework, counseling, social services, teaching, marketing, public relations, human resource management, planning, directing and / or facilitating youth group activities, or experience in a related field will substitute for education on a year for year basis.

New class adopted March 13, 2008, effective March 14, 2008.
(07/01/2010) Spelling corrections.
Change in salary range, effective 5/15/2020.

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