Lead Counselor

Description The Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Washington's at-risk youth.
We strive to unlock potential, foster success and empower young minds to create a better world.
Come join us in our mission to help at-risk youth create a future with possibilities! The Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy (WYA) has a permanent job opportunity for a Lead Counselor (Youth Academy Counseling and Coordination Specialist 4).
The Lead Counselor supervises and manages the Cadet Counselor program, provides supervision for the Counseling staff and department, and works under the direction of the Deputy Director.
The Counselors provide professional, non-clinical/non-therapeutic guidance and counseling services directly to the 16-18 year-old youth participating in the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy (WYCA).
What makes WYCA a great place to work? Work that matters-building character, enriching lives, one Cadet at a time! Leadership that empowers and supports employees.
One of the most comprehensive benefits package in the nation that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days.
Visit https://careers.
wa.
gov/benefits.
html for more information.
A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion that fosters an inclusive environment.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility Tuition Discount! Washington State Employees are eligible for a 10% tuition discount with Western Governors University (WGU) for Bachelor's & Master's Degree programs in Business; Information Technology; Healthcare and Education.
Support for employee growth and development Who we are: The WYCA was established under the authority and guidelines of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.
This is a voluntary program which includes a 22-week residential phase followed by a 24-month post residential mentoring phase.
The purpose of the program is to provide a highly disciplined, safe and professional learning environment that empowers at-risk youth to improve their educational levels and become responsible and productive citizen of the State of Washington.
The National Guard Challenge Program is one of the most successful alternative education programs designed for high school dropout or youth that are not progressing in a traditional high school setting and has graduated over 179,000 Cadets to date.
To learn more about the Youth ChalleNGe Program and the Washington Military Department visit https://mil.
wa.
gov.
COMPENSATION: Wage/salary will depend on qualifications or rules of promotion.
This job posting will remain open until filled.
Screening of application materials will begin immediately and will be on-going.
It is in the applicants' best interest to submit their application materials as early as possible.
The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time.
This job posting may be closed at any time without notice.
Duties Some of what you'll be doing: Support the ongoing mental health and group dynamics of the Cadets participating in the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy.
Collaborate effectively with other WYCA staff and teachers, parents/guardians, regional advocates, public school officials, community resource officials and stakeholders to meet the Cadets’ needs and facilitate their improvement across all Eight Core Components Supervise three Counselors who perform various program support activities.
Qualifications REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS A Master's or higher-level degree with a major in counseling, education, counseling psychology, social work, leadership, psychology or other related field.
AND Four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing or delivering educational, social, career/vocational or health related programs with youth/young adults.
Desirable Qualifications: Certifications: Current Educational Staff Associate (E.
S.
A.
) certification in school counseling (from Washington State or another state with reciprocity with Washington State) or other related professional certifications or continuing education credits in intervention, counseling, mental health, or other related field.
Mental Health First Aid (Youth) instructor Licensed Mental Health Counselor Experience: Leading or supervising staff members Working with at-risk or disengaged youth, families/guardians, educational/social services and community members.
Evidence of supervising and developing successful counseling, and/or vocational guidance programs.
Evidence of successful teaching/behavioral intervention experience.
Knowledge of: Academic, career/vocational guidance, social/emotional recovery programs.
Emotional, social, economic, developmental and physical needs of high school age students.
Drug prevention/intervention programs.
Individual and group treatment process.
Diverse learning and cultural populations.
Depression and suicide assessment/Crisis interventions.
Skills and Abilities to: Conduct group and individual juvenile behavioral modification sessions such as: anger management, decision-making, problem-solving, personal budgeting, drug and alcohol education and stress management.
Develop appropriate curriculum, with input from Counseling Department team and WYA staff, for group classroom behavioral intervention sessions.
Work effectively with juveniles who may have educational, social, economic, emotional, or behavioral problems.
Identify and manage manipulative/histrionic behaviors demonstrated by juveniles.
Supplemental Information CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: BACKGROUND CHECK Must successfully complete a pre-employment personal history and criminal background check investigation, which includes fingerprinting.
The background check is required for all employees of the Washington Youth Academy due to the nature of these positions (working with vulnerable youth) and the safety requirements of the job.
Applicants are required to complete and sign a Washington Military Department Background and Disclosure Statement and a Waiver and Authority to Release Information Form.
Candidates will not have access to any investigative materials or files.
Must be willing to participate in periodic background checks in accordance with department policy.
Failure to successfully complete any required background checks may be cause for termination.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING AND USE Willing not to use or be in possession of illegal narcotics or controlled substances while on or off duty.
Willing and able to be free from excessive alcohol consumption.
Willing and able to pass drug testing requirements, including pre-employment (to include testing when employees change job classifications due to promotion or transfer or there is "reasonable suspicion").
WYA CAMPUS Ability and willingness, desire and commitment to work with at-risk youth in a 24/7 highly structured residential setting requiring extensive interaction and contact with at risk youth and parents who may be disgruntled, angry, disrespectful (use of profanity, name calling, etc.
), depressed and at times confrontational.
The WYCA campus is a tobacco, vaping, alcohol, drug and weapons free facility.
Weapons and alcohol are not permitted anywhere on campus when employees are on or off shift.
This includes any alternate duty station or in employee vehicles.
Use of tobacco and/or vaping products is not permitted anywhere within the confines of the Youth Academy (to include alternate duty stations) or in the view of Cadets when performing off campus duties and responsibilities.
Individuals working with at-risk youth in a residential setting are subject to safety and security surveillance.
Willing to work in and around military facilities and programs.
WORKING HOURS The standard work schedule is Tuesday through Friday with Saturday, Sunday and Monday off for a 4/10 schedule.
The actual work hours will be established between the employee and immediate supervisor and will start no earlier than 6:00 AM and end no later than 6:00 PM.
Work hours may require adjustment of hours to compensate for travel or short deadlines related to non-standard projects/assignments.
Work hours may vary during initial month of employment to support program operations and training requirements.
Hours may vary on occasion to accommodate special events.
This position is expected to work beyond the established core hours when necessary to accomplish the day-to-day duties and responsibilities.
Must be willing to work periodic weekends and nights depending on program activities and requirements, including responding to emergency situations in a reasonable amount of time when they involve student health, safety or security.
NGYCP-CA HANDS-OFF LEADERSHIP & APPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS GUIDANCE Must be willing and committed to following the NGYCP-CA Hands-Off Leadership and Appropriate Relationships Guidance, recognizing that as a staff member of the Washington Youth Academy, our positions have implied authority over Cadets, regardless of their residential or completion status.
This policy prohibits staff members from touching Cadets in an aggressive or harassing manner or in any way inappropriate to a professional mentoring relationship.
Hands-Off Leadership prohibits staff members from using unprofessional language, including profanity, vulgarity or off-color jokes when interacting with, correcting or motivating Cadets.
Must be willing to follow directives and law pertaining to Hands-Off Leadership, Fraternization, Mandatory Reporting, and Appropriate Relationships.
The uncompromising expectation for behavior in word and deed on the part of staff is nothing less than complete transparency and total professionalism.
TRAVEL/TRAINING/POLICIES Must complete annual first aid and CPR training/re-certification.
May be required to occasionally attend routine events, meetings or training at other locations.
On rare occasions, travel in and out of the state for up to one week at a time.
Must comply with Department policies and procedures governing workplace conduct.
DRIVER'S LICENSE Must possess a valid license to drive in the State of Washington Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act to enter Washington State Military Department installation.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the "Apply" button and submit the following.
A Current Application Profile Response to the Supplemental Questionnaire (Note that your responses to the supplemental questions are used to screen for interview selection and should be supported by the information you entered in your employment history section portion of the application).
A list of three professional references.
Please include two current/past supervisors, one peer or one subordinate, if applicable.
For each reference please include the following: Name, Professional Title, Working Relationship, Daytime Phone Number and Email Address.
If you have any questions about the application process or this recruitment, please contact Patricia Acoba at patricia.
acoba@mil.
wa.
gov.
Please add info@governmentjob.
com to your email contacts to ensure emails sent to advise you of the status of your application do not get sent to your junk mailbox.
The Washington Military Department is an equal opportunity employer.
We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.
Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.
Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruitment Section of State Human Resources at: Email: patricia.
acoba@mil.
wa.
gov; Call: (360) 473-2622, or 711.