SAD VA 2026-093 Counselor (SAD CW2/O-2) W1-O3 Grizzly Youth Challenge Academy (GYA), Camp San Luis Obispo, CA 

Position Details 
Announcement Number: SAD VA 2026-093
Opening Date: 2 October 2026
Closing Date: 29 October 2026 
Position Title: Counselor (SAD CW2/O-2) 
Duty Location: Grizzly Youth Challenge Academy (GYA), Camp San Luis Obispo, CA 
Selecting Official: Director, GYA 

Projected Employment Date: TBD 

Vacancy Announcement Details 
The California Military Department is accepting applications for the State Active-Duty position indicated above. An appointment to this position provides full benefit status for the appointee and their beneficiaries. The incumbent will be appointed on annually renewable State Active-Duty orders through year six, at which time the incumbent may be eligible for career status IAW CMD Reg 600-1, dated 15 November 2024. Continuation and 
subsequent extensions of service will be determined by the individual’s performance of duty and continuation of funding. The Service Member selected for this position will be paid at their Federal or California State Guard 
(CSG) pay grade, not to exceed CW2/O-2. This announcement has minimum requirements. Failure to meet these requirements will cause your application to be rejected from consideration. While it is important for you to read the entire announcement closely, please pay particular attention to the instructions at the end of this announcement for documents required to submit a complete application. Applications missing signatures and required documents will not be considered. The Service Member selected for this position may be eligible for health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits. Other benefits may also be available to those who qualify such as Employee Assistance Programs, Group Legal Services, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, Retirement Annuity, Savings Plus, and the Military Service Buy Back Program. Reimbursement for moving and relocation expenses will not be paid. 

Eligibility Requirements  
Grizzly Youth ChalleNGe Academy is a tobacco and smoke-free environment; smoking or use of tobacco products is not authorized on duty or on Academy premises. 
• Active members of the California Military Department (Army, Air, CSG) in the grades WO1 through CW3 or O-1 through O-3 may apply. Applicants must have a militia affiliation per Para 5-2 of CMD Reg. 600-1. CSG members who have no prior federal militia experience must be a member of the CSG in good standing for a minimum of two years for eligibility for SAD vacancies.   
• Completion of a Master’s Degree in counseling or a related field is desired.  
• Credential, licenser, and or experience for counseling is desired.  
• Completion or concurrent enrollment of a Graduate level course work in counseling or social work is recommended. 
• Training or education in child growth and development or education techniques or counseling techniques. 
• Possess at least two years of counseling experience or other related experience. 
• Must be available for on call for cadet crisis.  
• Flexible work schedule requirement including nights and weekends when the academy mission dictates. 
• Demonstrate ability to communicate orally and in writing. 
• Training in Human Relations, Equal Opportunity, or Human Awareness is desired. 
• Strong computer skills with Windows Operating System and Office Suite experience desired. 
• Applicants must maintain good standing with militia component. 
• Completion of militia and civilian education requirements commensurate with the grade of the applicant are required.  
• Militia assignments appropriate to the grade of the applicant are required. 
• Applicants must meet, and maintain, militia component medical and physical fitness standards. 
• Appropriate militia uniform with federal or state recognized rank will be worn in accordance with militia regulation. 
• Must be able to pass State and Federal background checks (Live Scan), and California Military Department status verification. Continuation of employment is contingent upon maintaining favorable background checks. 
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 
Works as a Counselor for up to 100 cadets under the direct supervision of the Lead Counselor. 
• Counselors are responsible for the guiding of cadets on acquiring meaningful life-skills, problem-solving strategies, better decision-making, personal responsibility and accountability, and goal selling.  
• Responsible for identifying, observing and monitoring mental health related behaviors of cadets (i.e. suicide ideation, self-harm, hallucinations etc.) and reports any behavioral problems or areas of concern to the Program Director.  
• Responsible for networking with outside agencies and community partners to provide licensed counseling services for cadets while promoting positive relationships throughout our local community.  
• Responsible for collecting, evaluating and recording social behavior for case tracking of the National Guard Youth Challenge program  
• Provides support and strategies to cadets helping them to cope with the stressors of living with other cadets and the school environment.  
• Serves as the academy's liaison and are responsible for developing and maintaining communications with families/guardians.  
• Supports organizational regulations and policies.  
• Plans and coordinates academy events that influence cadet success and their experience.  
• Provides resources to cadets and their families who require counseling services in which the Academy is unable to provide.  
• Assists other departments with cadet supervision during events as assigned by Lead Counselor.  
• Provides Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training to staff & cadets.  
• Provides leadership guidance to staff and informed recommendations to the Program Director.  
• Performs Platoon Leader duties.  
• Administers cadet medications upon successful completion of training. 
• Performs other duties assigned. 

Applications must be received by the State Personnel office no later than midnight on Thursday, 29 October 2026. 

Statement of Qualifications: 
A Statement of Qualifications is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application. 
Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please limit your SOQ to a maximum of two (2) pages, single-spaced, no less than twelve-point Arial font. 
Candidate must clearly and concisely identify experience in categories listed below and must be in the following order: 
• What experience do you have working with youth ages16-18? 
• What experience do you have working with mental illness / mental health related concerns? 
• What experience do you have working in a supervisory capacity? 
• Why do you want to work for Grizzly Youth ChalleNGe Academy? Please identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Chuck Callahan