WYCA Commandant
Salary
$95,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually
Location
Kitsap County - Bremerton, WA
Job Type
Agency Internal - Permanent
Job Number
2026-05200
Department
Military Department
Division
Washington Youth Academy
Opening Date
06/24/2026
Closing Date
7/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
COMMANDANT
WASHINGTON YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY
WASHINGTON MANAGEMENT SERVICE (WMS)
BREMERTON, WA
This recruitment is open on an internal basis only to permanent State employees of the Washington Military Department.
The Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy (WYCA) Commandant reports directly to the WYCA Deputy Director and has primary responsibility for managing the Cadet Residential operations, which includes direct supervision of Cadre supervisors, and oversight of the Cadre work schedule, training and shift operations.
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.
Mission:
WMD: The mission of the Military Department is to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, environment and the economy of Washington State and the region; provide trained and ready forces for state and federal missions; and provide structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.
WYCA: The mission of the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy is to provide a highly disciplined, safe, and professional learning environment that empowers at-risk youth to improve their educational level and employment potential and become responsible and productive Washingtonians.
To learn more about the Washington Military Department and the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy visit www.mil.wa.gov/youth-academy.
Duties
Responsibilities include:
Management and oversight of the Youth Academy Residential Operations in compliance with the national quasi-military service model and the National Guard Bureaus Master Cooperative Agreement.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor's degree and five years of experience working with at-risk youth or related experience such as youth services, social services, military, education or law enforcement. Additional qualifying experience can substitute for education on a year for year basis.
AND
At least two years of supervisory experience. This experience may be gained concurrently with the experience listed above.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge & Competencies:
Experience:
Knowledge of:
Competencies:
Supplemental Information
COMPENSATION:
This position is currently being banded. The anticipated starting salary is between $95,000 and $110,000 depending on qualifications and rules of promotion.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Physical Demands:
Skills & Abilities to:
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:
Candidates are encouraged to read the Physical Abilities Test Packet that provides a detailed explanation regarding the assessment. This can be found at http://mil.wa.gov/uploads/pdf/youth-academy/cadre_physical_fitness_assesment-pre-employment.pdf(Download PDF reader)
(Download PDF reader) (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.
Training/Policies:
Must complete annual first aid and CPR training/re-certification.
Must comply with Department policies and procedures governing workplace conduct.
Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP):
This position is critical based on agency continuity plans.
Report for duty on short notice for a specified timeframe.
Report for duty outside of normally scheduled work hours and work days.
Report for duty station that is different from the official duty station.
Perform work tasks outside of the normal scope of duties reflected in the PDF.
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.
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:
This position is eligible for telework on an adhoc basis.
Schedule:
Normal working hours are Sunday off: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday off.
Incumbent must be willing to work beyond the established core hours/days when necessary to accomplish the day-to-day duties and responsibilities.
Duty will include periodic weekends and nights depending on program activities and requirements, including responding to emergency situations in a reasonable amount of time when they involve Cadet health, safety of security.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the "Apply" button and submit the following:
Recruitment Timeline:
Application Screening:July 6, 2026Candidates Notified of interview selection:July 6, 2026Interviews Conducted:July 8 - 9, 2026
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
If you have questions about the application process or this recruitment, please contact Patricia Acoba at patricia.acoba@mil.wa.gov or (360) 473-2622.
Please add info@governmentjobs.com 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: patricia.acoba@mil.wa.gov; 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. Thats 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.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
01
Are you willing and able to meet all of the conditions of employment listed on the job announcement, to include an extensive background check which will include fingerprinting?
02
What is your highest level of education?
03
How many months of supervisory experience do you have?
04
How many months of full-time equivalent experience do you have working directly (in a leadership, mentoring, or coaching role) with 16-18 year old at-risk teenagers (Example: youth who have dropped out of High School, are at-risk of not graduating, or are struggling with socio/economic issues)?
05
Why do you want to serve as the Commandant for the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy?
Required Question
Employer State of Washington
Address View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Website http://www.careers.wa.gov