Salary: $6,708.00 - $7,224.00 Monthly
Location : Kitsap County - Bremerton, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Military Department
Division: Washington Youth Academy
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
DREAM! BELIEVE! ACHIEVE!
This recruitment is open on an internal basis for current state employees within the Washington State Military Department.

AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF WASHINGTON'S YOUTH!

This position reports to the Commandant of the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy (WYCA). The Youth Academy Residential Specialist 4 (working title is Cadre Supervisor) provides staff supervision, cadet leadership, and facility supervision including during non-traditional hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
About the Washington Military Department and the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy
The mission of the Military Department is to provide trained professionals and operational forces who are ready to defend our state and nation, response to emergencies and disasters, and enhance resiliency in communities through structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.

The WYCA was established under the authority and guidelines of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. It is a voluntary program which includes a 22-week residential academy 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 Washingtonians.

To learn more about the Youth ChalleNGe Program and the Washington Military Department visit .
Duties

Some of what you'll be doing:

• Supervise Cadre Team Leaders (YARS3) and Cadre Team members (YARS2) in implementing the daily training plans and programs to the Cadet Corps members (Cadets) on a 24/7 basis. Manages day to day work schedule for Cadre Team and ensures time, leave and attendance reporting is accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
• Oversee Cadre Team Leaders (YARS3) and Cadre Team Members (YARS2) in executing program activities to the Cadet Corps members related to Leadership/Followership; Physical Fitness; Health & Hygiene and Service to Community.
• Operations oversight, including assisting in preparing/maintaining the Academy facilities, supplies, and equipment for program activities and incoming classes.
• Direct the Cadre Team Leaders (YARS3) and the Cadre Team Members (YARS2) in assessing and addressing behavior and program performance of Cadet Corps members.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

High school graduation or GED equivalent and four years of experience working with at-risk youth or related experience such as youth services, social services, military, education, or law enforcement.

Two years of college may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience

• A teacher/instructor/coach with an understanding of teaching techniques and learning processes.
• Working with at-risk youth.

Knowledge of:

• Military drill and ceremony.
• Military customs/courtesies.
• Basic first aid and emergency medical care.

Skills / Abilities:

• Promote positive youth development by establishing healthy professional relationships with Cadets, role-modeling desired professional behaviors, maintaining an exceptional uniform appearance and ensuring a safe training environment.
• Work effectively with at-risk youth who may have social, economic, emotional or behavioral challenges which does include identifying and managing manipulative behaviors.
• Understand various concepts of learning and behavior and their application to the client served.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to meet the needs of others.

Supplemental Information
COMPENSATION: Wage/salary will depend on qualifications or rules of promotion

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Physical Demands:
Skills & Abilities to:

• Routinely work a 40-hour week to provide ongoing customer and program support.
• Obtain and maintain a basic first aid and CPR certification.
• Execute a full range of physical motions; walk or stand for long periods of time; work outside in all types of weather.
• Manual dexterity - Writing, light keyboarding, and use of a personal computer/software related to word processing.
• May require periods of great physical effort in completing essential functions and / or responding to situations/issues when Cadet safety/security is involved.

Physical Abilities Test:

• Able to participate in and pass a pre-employment physical fitness and agility standardized test and annual re-certification tests thereafter, in accordance with program requirements. The assessment consists of the following:
• Emergency Response Test
• Physical Fitness Demonstration Test
• 15-minute continuous run without stopping, walking, or speed walking.

Candidates are encouraged to read the Physical Abilities Test Packet that provides a detailed explanation regarding the assessment. This can be found at(Download PDF reader)

Character:
Youth Academy Residential Specialists (YARS) are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of Cadets in the residential phase of the program and for role modeling the behavior expected from those Cadets. As such it is imperative that YARS have basic character traits of honesty, courtesy, tact, cooperation, professional appearance and bearing.

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 ChalleNGe 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 WMD Applicant Background and Disclosure Statement and a Waiver and Authority to Release Information Form. Candidates will not have access to any investigative materials and files.
Must be willing and able to participate in periodic background checks in accordance with department policy. Failure to successfully complete any required background check may be cause for termination.

Drug & Alcohol Testing & 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).

WYCA Campus:
Ability, willingness, desire and commitment to work with all 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.
Must be willing to work in and around military facilities and programs.

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.

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.

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.
Shift Work:

Position is subject to shift work and incumbent must be willing to work beyond established core hours/days when necessary to accomplish program activities and requirements, including responding to emergency situations in a reasonable amount of time when they involve cadet health, safety, or security.

Union:
This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Telework Eligibility:
This position may be eligible for ad/hoc telework.

Application Process:Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the "Apply" button and submit the following:

1. A Current application profile
2. Response to the Supplemental Questionnaire
3. 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 360-473-2622 or .

Please add 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.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
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