Youth Development Specialist

Work for Indiana
Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana's communities every day.
At the State of Indiana, we don't just talk about diversity and inclusion - Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process, as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
Next Level benefits at the State of Indiana are here! Be sure to review our expanded benefit package offerings below.
Agency Statement:
The Adjutant General's Office (AGO) provides a dynamic workplace while serving the Indiana National Guard at its various facilities throughout the state. AGO's programs and projects offer exciting opportunities for professionals in many fields - from maintenance repair to cadre to civil engineers - looking to begin or advance their careers. AGO offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well as an outstanding work/life balance. AGO offers agency-specific benefits, such as an opportunity to work an alternative work schedule and a spot bonus program to reward hardworking employees.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $39,000 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Role Overview:
The mission of the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy (HYCA) is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of at-risk youth to produce program graduates with the values, skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults. This program provides training, including supervised work experience in community service and conservation programs, to civilian youth who cease to attend secondary school before graduating so as to improve their life skills and employment potential.
As the Cadre Team Leaders, you will be responsible for a team of cadets as their direct supervisor responsible for cadet accountability, discipline, and safety; enforcement of Academy rules and policies; instruction of drill and ceremony; physical-fitness training; movement of cadets according to the training schedule; and completing administrative reports. In this position, you will be Teaching the cadets life skills through positive mentoring, leading by example, teaching basic social skills, enforcing standards, helping to build self-confidence and problem-solving abilities, and developing leadership and teamwork skills for the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy (HYCA).
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Ensure accountability and maximum participation of cadets in activities and classes.
• Participate in and monitor class activities and monitor and supervise cadets during scheduled visitations by parents, guardians, and mentors.
• Analyze and evaluate cadet progress and development towards accomplishing the program goals and objectives and completion of the eight-core program.
• Provide limited first line counseling to reduce friction, improve morale and maintain continuity and report any behavioral concerns.
• Ensure that cadet barracks, common areas and living conditions are properly maintained in accordance with established standards.
• Secure and control of the use of cadet residential quarters, report facility deficiencies, hold residents accountable for misuse and abuse of the facility.
• Prepare and teach classes to cadets on rules and procedures.
• Transport cadets between locations, i.e. formations, physical training areas, classrooms, and other authorized off-site locations making certain cadets are always accounted for.
• Teach, demonstrate, supervise, and evaluate cadets' performance during daily physical fitness training, drill and ceremonies and during community involvement activities and community service projects.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirement to be considered for employment:

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• High School Diploma or High School Equivalent (HSE).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to supervise.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Access, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to read and comprehend policies, procedures,manuals, and other written material.
• Ability to promote socially acceptable attitudes and behaviors, use tact, recognize that value systems may vary, treat individuals with respect and consideration and reason logically and arrive at sound conclusions.
• Ability to gain trust and establish effective mentoring relationships with at-risk youth.
• Ability to make sound decisions and remain calm under stressful circumstances.
• Ability to perform work outdoors and withstand inclement weather and other environmental conditions.
• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the job. This includes conducting and performing rigorous physical fitness training, to include hiking with a backpack over rough terrain, running from one mile up to five miles and demonstrating a variety of physical fitness exercise routines, such as push- ups, sit ups, etc.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

You must satisfy the following requirement to continue employment:

• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) will be required within first 90 days of employment.
• Have and maintain a valid driver's license.
• First Aid and CPR certification required or ability to obtain such certification.
• Familiarity with basic military style training and ability to enforce disciplinary safety and security measures.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid new parent leave
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruit, select, develop, and promote employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
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