WYCA Counselor

State of Washington; Bremerton (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site 5% premium pay

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

Washington Youth Challenge Academy seeks a qualified counselor to provide non-clinical guidance to 16–18 year‑old cadets in a highly structured program. The role focuses on career planning, academic success, and personal/social development within a disciplined environment.

The position requires a Master’s degree in counseling or related field and appropriate licensure. Two to four years of youth counseling experience and ability to lead large or small groups are essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling or related field.
• Licensure as LMHC/LPCC/LPC or equivalent required.
• At least 2–4 years counseling experience with youth.
• Experience instructing classes and group activities.

Responsibilities

• Administer behavioral, academic, and life-skills interventions for at‑risk youth.
• Instruct classes for platoon-sized groups (25–30 cadets) covering career, academic, and life skills.
• Collect, maintain, and report demographic, statistical, and historical counseling data.
• Coordinate and sponsor counseling department events for cadets.

Skills

Counseling delivery

Group facilitation

Data reporting

Child/youth development

Crisis mitigation

Education

Master’s degree in Counseling or related field

LMHC/LPCC/LPC or equivalent licensure

ESA/CTA or related certifications

Job 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!

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).

About the Challenge Program

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 www.mil.wa.gov/youth-academy. 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%.

Some of what you'll be doing:

• 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).

REQUIRED

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

PREFERRED / DESIRED

Certifications:

• 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

Experience:

• 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

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• 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. career/vocational, decision‑making/problem solving, personal finance/budgeting, stress management, anger management, drug/alcohol, etc.)
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to meet the needs of others.

Compensation:

Wage/salary will depend on qualifications or rules of promotion.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Work Hours:

• The standard work schedule for this position is a five‑day, eight‑hour work shift. The actual workdays/hours will be established between the employee and immediate supervisor upon hire.
• Work hours may require adjustment of hours to compensate for travel or short deadlines related to non‑standard projects/assignments. Work hours will vary during initial month of employment to support program operations and training requirements.
• 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.

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