Youth Challenge Program Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $61,644.00 - $69,744.00 Annually
Location : Kitsap County - Bremerton, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-02152
Department: Military Department
Division: Washington Youth Academy
Opening Date: 03/13/2026
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
At the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy our mission is to empower at-risk youth to improve their educational levels and employment potential and become responsible and productive Washingtonians. The Academy envisions a world where young adults are equipped and respected as equal partners in building resilience in their families and communities.
If our mission resonates with you and you are seeking a meaningful career that will have a positive lasting impact on the youth we serve, we invite you to apply for the position of Youth Academy Residential Specialist 2 (Cadre Team Member) where you will work in a diverse, inclusive, team-oriented environment while helping at-risk youth get their lives back on track.
This position is eligible for on-site, 24/7 facility premium pay of 5%, as well as shift differential pay for applicable shifts.
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 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 citizens of the State of Washington. The National Guard Challenge Program is one of the most successful alternative education programs designed for high school dropouts or youth that are not progressing in a traditional high school setting and has graduated over 215,000 Cadets to date.
To learn more about the Washington Military Department and the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy visit
What makes WYCA a great place to work?

• Work that matters-building character, enriching lives, one Cadet at a time!
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.
• 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.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Support for employee growth and development

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies and will remain opened 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:

• Providing direction and guidance to the Cadet Corps members (Cadets) on a 24/7 basis.
• Participating in screening, interviewing and selecting applicants for admission into the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy (WYCA) program.
• Assisting in preparing the Academy facilities, supplies, and equipment for program activities and participates in planning, coordination, and set-up of recurring and special events.

Qualifications
What we're looking for:
REQUIRED
High school graduation or GED equivalent and one year 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 required experience.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
Experience:
Working with at-risk youth.
A teacher/instructor/coach with an understanding of teaching techniques and learning processes.
Knowledge of:
Military drill and ceremony.
Military customs / courtesies.
Basic first aid and emergency medical care.
Skills / Abilities:
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to meet the needs of others.
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.
Demonstrate mature judgment under stress and conditions of uncertainty to provide stable and consistent guidance and leadership to Cadre staff, Cadets and family members.
Supplemental Information
GENERAL INFORMATION:
You do not need to be a member of the Washington National Guard to apply for this position.
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 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).
WYCA Campus:
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 site or in employee vehicles. Use of tobacco or vaping products is not permitted anywhere within the confines of the Youth Academy (to include alternate duty stations) or in the view of students when performing off campus duties and responsibilities.
Ability, 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.
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.
National Guard Youth Challenge Program-Cooperative Agreement (NGYCP-CA) Hands-Off Leadership 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 ChalleNGe 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.
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).
Driver 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.
Telework Eligibility:
Due to the essential functions of this position requiring customer focused in-person contact with Cadets in residence as well as community stakeholders, this position is not telework eligible.
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 and,
3. A list of three professional references. Please include two past/current supervisors, one peer and/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 questions about the application process or this recruitment, please contact Patricia Acoba at or (360) 473-2622.
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.
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: Call: (360) 473-2622, or 711.
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 ty