Keystone State Challenge Academy Team Leader (Dormitory Counselor)

Make a positive impact on the lives of teenagers! The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is seeking a dedicated Dormitory Counselor to serve as a team leader at the Keystone State Challenge Academy (KSCA). By using your leadership and motivational skills, you will energize and direct at-risk youth to better themselves and achieve their goals. If you are looking forward to shaping the futures of young people in a quasi-military environment, apply today!

Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

In this position, you will interact with cadets as their team leader. By guiding and training cadets using military practices, you will provide a safe and structed environment for the cadets. Your work will involve providing day-to-day supervision for cadets, providing input into the training schedules, and executing daily and weekly schedules to ensure all activities are met. You will also lead cadets during their movement on campus and transport them when they participate in off-campus activities. By role modeling positive social values and behaviors, you will encourage both individual growth and positive group dynamics. You can expect to conduct daily inspections of cadet property and uniforms, as well as the barracks and unit formations. Additionally, you will assist in preparing KSCA facilities, supplies, and equipment for program activities and participate in set-up and conduct of recurring and special events.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM or 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, including occasional weekends. Your work hours will alternate to meet operational needs. This position requires scheduling flexibility to ensure 24/7 coverage.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years of experience in working with school age children (aged 6 to 21) or adults in an organized physical, recreational, educational, or related program;or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• You must possess a valid federal or state-issued photo ID and pass a favorable NCIC screening for admittance to Fort Indiantown Gap.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Working knowledge of military customs, courtesies, drills, and ceremonies
• Ability to conduct physical training with cadets
• Knowledge of at-risk teenage population

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

In accordance with the seniority provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, this position was previously posted for seniority candidates. Since there were no seniority candidates, it is now open to all applicants.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.