Are you a person who likes to help others? Do you have a passion for working with at-risk youth? This is the job for you. The mission of the Wisconsin Challenge Academy is to offer our Cadets the opportunity to develop the strength of character and the life-skills necessary to become a successful responsible citizen. Our intention is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of disengaged youth through education, mentoring, and empowering our youth to improve their academic level and employment potential.

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll also have access to an amazing benefits package, including paid time off, low-cost insurance options, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System, which is considered among the best in the country!

The Department of Military Affairs is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

These positions are with the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy, located at Fort McCoy. This recruitment will be used to current and future staff vacancies which may occur at the Challenge Academy during the next six months.

The Challenge Academy is a voluntary character development and educational program for 16 - 18 year-old youth at risk of not graduating from high school. We are an intensive residential program that uses the military model, located at Fort McCoy, WI. Cadet Specialists provide for the safety, security and accountability of youth (cadets); provide cadets with training and guidance in the areas of military drill and ceremony and customs and courtesies, daily living skills, self-discipline, physical fitness, social skills and goal-setting; lead or assist with leading experiential activities; enforce Academy policies, rules and regulations and submit verbal and written reports; consult with other team members to make recommendations to management regarding cadet issues; and discipline and counsel cadets as needed.

Starting pay will be $23 per hour, plus an excellent benefit package (12-64). For current permanent state employees, pay will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.

1. A criminal background check will be conducted as part of the hiring process including FBI fingerprint check.
2. These positions will require a flex work schedule that includes days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holiday hours.
3. A twelve-month probationary period is required.

All state employees are required to report their COVID vaccination status, whether vaccinated or not, and must provide supporting documentation if vaccinated. Newly hired employees will be required to submit this information within their first two weeks of employment.

Candidates who meet minimum qualifications will have:

• Acted as a lead-worker or role of some kind in the past where they were responsible for providing direction to others and monitoring the activities of others.
• Experience in providing instruction, guidance, or training to others in learning activities and/or non-academic skills.
• Experience in enforcing expectations or rules and providing feedback, assessment, or evaluation to others.

Apply online! To apply, click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don’t have an account. Once you are logged in, click “Apply for Job.” Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. The maximum length for review is two pages for each document. Any information after the second page will not be reviewed. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or reinstatement) should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.

Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Questions and reasonable accomodation requests can be directed to Allisa Brown at Allisa.Brown@widma.gov

Please apply by Tuesday, December 20, 2022 by 11:59 PM to be considered.