**This announcement may be used to fill all current or future full-time and part-time openings at Youth Challenge Academy Ft. Gordon.**

Pay depending on time at YCA, plus meeting performance standards.

$31,000 - Primary Level (1-6 months) 

$32,500 - Senior Level (7-12 months) 

$34,000 - Advanced Level (13-24 months) - Full Performance Level

$37,000 - Expert Level (25+ months) - Promotion to the Expert Level is competitive and based on program needs 

Part time pay is $12.00 per hour.

The purpose of the Youth Challenge Program (YCP) is to recruit, enroll, and train at-risk youth who have left high school without a diploma (dropouts or expulsions) to complete work on their General Educational Development (GED) Diploma, and to receive life skills training. The program is structured similar to a US Army basic training company, providing military structure and discipline, drill and ceremony, self-control and motivation. Eight core components form the basis of the curriculum: academic excellence; life coping skills; vocational training; responsible citizenship; leader/followership; health, hygiene and sex education; physical fitness; and, community involvement/community service projects. The program is drug-free, gang-free, and tobacco-free. The 22-week residential program ensures a safe, secure environment where the eight core components can be achieved through individualized instruction. In addition, 40 hours of service learning is required of all cadets in order to graduate. The majority of the graduates continue on to post secondary school education, vocational-technical training, full-time employment, military enlistment, or some combination of these. With campuses at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Fort Gordon in Augusta, plus a third campus in Milledgeville, Georgia’s YCP is one of the most successful “at-risk” youth programs in the nation, graduating over 16,000 cadets since the program’s inception in 1993.

SPECIFIC DUTIES OF A YOUTH LEADER / CADRE WORKER:

Supervises and trains youth in a quasi-military style program of physical training, character development, and general education. Assists in the monitoring, training, disciplining, and supervision of cadets. Provides a safe and clean environment, security, non-professional counseling services, and on-site crisis intervention. Documents student progress and encourages cadets in order to enhance motivation.

The selected candidate must be willing to work a flexible schedule when needed, which will include some evenings, weekends or additional hours.

Applicant is required to maintain a valid driver's license.

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Defense has determined that “GENDER IS A BONA FIDE OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATION" for this job. Therefore, depending on the need created by a vacancy, hiring decisions will be gender specific.

Minimum Entry Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED and Three (3) years of honorable active duty AND copy of Form DD214 (Member 4 copy) or reserve component military service which included the attainment of an E4 or higher,
OR
One (1) year of experience as a Correctional Officer, Juvenile Correctional Officer or another P.O.S.T. certified position,
OR
Two years' experience at the level equivalent to Cadre Helper/Assistant Youth Leader.

Additional Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to instruct, perform and demonstrate physical training activities such as weight training, calisthenics, and two-mile runs; 
• Ability to obtain or possession of a valid Georgia Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with School Bus endorsement;   
• Ability to learn or sufficient knowledge to lead military drill and ceremony.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Job Experience working with “at-risk” youth; 
• Skill in completing administrative activities to include proficiency in using Microsoft Office software;   
• Skill in swimming, climbing, and/or canoeing;   
• Associate’s Degree or higher;   
• CPR/First Aid certified.

Additional Information:

The selected applicant must pass a pre-employment background investigation, which includes a Georgia and national criminal records search, a pre-employment drug test (post-hire will be placed in the pool for the State Random Drug Testing Program), AND a post-employment federal background investigation.

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER & DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE”

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.