HOOSIER YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY, Knightstown, Indiana

PROGRAM: HOOSIER YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY, Knightstown, Indiana
POSITION: POST RESIDENTIAL ADVISOR (10060635, Job ID # 570735)

SALARY: $914.00 bi-weekly: $23,764.00 annually.

Purpose of Position/Summary:
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 military based 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.
This position is responsible for effective post residential management to ensure successful mentoring relationships in the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy. Post Residential management in Challenge is defined as the oversight practices employed by the program that lead to active mentor matches and successful cadet placement throughout the twelve months of the Post-Residential Phase. Effective post residential management is the key to ensuring successful mentoring relationships. Successful mentoring relationships lead to successful transitions into positive placement activities in the Post-Residential Phase which produce both qualitative and quantitative positive long-term results.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
• Organizes and executes a successful mentoring program to ensure the Cadets meet their long term goals;
• Ensures monthly contact between mentor and Cadet is being maintained; Monthly contact is defined as receipt
assigned area;
• Coordinates factors leading to the Cadet’s successful completion of their long term goals;
• Assist in Development and Implementing the mentoring plan, program brochures, presentations/media, and other materials;
• Assists in preparing and presenting presentations to school districts, community organizations, juvenile justices, civic groups, employers, etc.;
• Ensures appropriate student data is entered into the Data Management and Reporting System (DMARS):
• Coordinate background/criminal checks on potential mentor applicants in coordination with program requirements;
• Assists in training and matching volunteer adult mentors with their Mentees through the residential phase so as to begin the communication about the Cadet’s future plans;
• Assists in the Cadet’s development of their Post-Residential Action Plan (P-RAP) providing copies to the Mentors encouraging them to utilize the document as they interact with Cadets during the Post-Residential Phase;
• Monitors the Cadet/Mentor relationships in residential phase;
• Performs all necessary administrative functions, including, but not limited to: filing, storage and transport of records, opening and responding to mail, providing information and forms to applicants and the general community.

Job Requirements:
• Three (3) years full-time experience in program coordination, development, implementation, or related experience. Substitution: Accredited college training may substitute for the required experience on a year for year basis.
• Work experience, case management and/or volunteer management experience;
• Working knowledge of the Youth ChalleNGe Program and all applicable regulations, policies and procedures;
• Strong computer skills and experience with data based programs;
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, tactfully and persuasively, with diverse individuals and groups;
• Ability to monitor and support the mentors and cadets that includes contacting at least 80% of the mentors and cadets on a monthly basis;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to speak before professional and lay groups as well as economically and educationally disadvantaged groups regarding the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy;
• Ability to work with emotional at-risk teenagers and unstable families;
• Considerable knowledge of computers and the use of basic software programs such as Microsoft Office and web based programs such as DMARS;
• Working knowledge in maintaining up-to-date post residential files for each mentoring relationship;
• Ability to organize and work independently on multiple tasks under pressure;
• Must have a valid Indiana Driver’s License.

Difficulty of Work:
The job requires varied tasks, many of which are not standardized and require understanding and the application of appropriate Academy policies and procedures. Work is performed in a very busy and changing environment.

Responsibility:
Work is normally unsupervised and accepted without review. Tact and sound judgment must be exercised in managing the flow of work through R/P/M Coordinator’s office. Consequence of error is usually moderate; however, situations exist for consequences of error to be adverse. The failure to apply the appropriate regulation in performance of duties or to coordinate with appropriate personnel could cause an adverse effect on the operations of the Academy. It may also cause embarrassment to the Academy and/or the Military Department of Indiana. Exercise independent judgment following brief and general instructions. Extreme confidentiality of records and activities must be maintained. Exercise final responsibility for the accuracy and form of assigned tasks. Authority exists for recommending changes in office procedures used and purchases of office equipment, material formats, and composition of records. Authority exists to initiate and carry out details of assigned tasks.
Personal Work Relationships:
Personal work relationships are direct contact with Cadets and their Mentors, with the Academy staff, the public and Military Department of Indiana. Contacts are for the purpose of relaying and giving information, screening business problems, interpreting departmental policies, obtaining assistance on significant matters by explaining needs as requested by R/P/M Coordinator. These contacts have a major role in the development and accomplishment of the program goals.

Physical Effort:
Work is sedentary, but may require extensive driving throughout the assigned region. Occasional lifting up to 20-pounds of recruitment materials and equipment.

Working Conditions:
Incumbent may travel extensively to make necessary contacts. Work will require frequent evening, weekend and/or holiday work. Flex hours will be considered. Positions will work an Alternate work schedule with hours from 12:00 – 8:00 PM. These positions are required to make contact with parents and Mentors and the best time to contact these personnel will be after normal work hours.
Other Information concerning the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program may be found at: www.ngycp.org.

CLOSING DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2010

APPLY ON-LINE AT: http://www.in.gov/spd/2334.htm
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER