WYCA Counselor

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!

This position works under the supervision of the Academy's Lead Counselor and provides professional, non‑clinical/non‑therapeutic guidance and counseling services directly to the 16‑18 year old "At‑Risk" youth (Cadet students) enrolled in the Washington Youth Challenge Academy (WYCA).

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 Washingtonians.

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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). In addition to job fulfillment, the Washington Military Department offers an excellent benefits package which includes exceptional health care coverage, a retirement savings plan and job training opportunities.

This position is also eligible for on‑site, 24/7 facility premium pay of 5%.

• Administer a behavioral, academic, and life skills intervention program for at‑risk youth (Cadet students) enrolled at the Washington Youth Challenge Academy (WYCA).
• Instruct classes of platoon size, or a more traditional 25‑30 Cadets (students), pertaining to the Counseling Department’s responsibilities of; career/vocational planning, academic success, personal/social adjustment, job skills, life coping skills, drug/alcohol abuse prevention, etc. and conduct learning assessments of these subjects to ensure comprehension.
• Collect, maintain, report, and archive demographic, statistical, and historical data pertaining to the scope of the Counseling department purview.
• Coordinate Counseling Department sponsored events for Cadets (students).

A Master’s degree with a major in career/vocational counseling, educational counseling, mental health counseling, psychology or comparable degree.

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC);
  Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC),
• Career and Technical Education Certification Counselor or equivalent,
• Vocational Education Certification, and/or
• Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certification

• Two to four years of professional experience in Substance Abuse Counseling, Mental Health/Behavioral Counseling, Resolution, Anger Management, and/or Trauma Counseling.
• Two tofour years working with high school aged student population
• Two years of experience facilitating instruction to large (25+) or small (3-7) groups
• Working with at‑risk or disengaged youth
• Group Guidance/Counseling and facilitation
• Individual Guidance/Counseling
• Training or experience counseling others for self‑harm, suicide ideation, alcohol & drug abuse, grief, loss or depression

• Career/Vocational, Academic, Social/Behavioral Guidance Programs
• Employment opportunities and processes, apprenticeship or other training programs for youth, including Work Based Learning, Job Shadowing, etc.
• Assessments for career/vocational, academic, social/behavioral
• Life Skills Prevention/Interventions (i.e., depression, suicide, home sickness, drug/alcohol, etc.)
• Develop instructional curriculum for classroom and group settings for Career/Vocational, Academic, Social/Behavioral guidance programs
• Conduct instructional, individual and group prevention/intervention programs (i.e.…