SAD VA 2026-097  Recruitment, Placement, Mentoring (RPM) Assistant (Admissions) (SAD E-5) E4-E6 Discovery ChalleNGe Academy (DCA), Lathrop, CA

Position Details 
Announcement Number: SAD VA 2026-097 
Opening Date: 20 October 2026 
Closing Date: 2 November 2026
Position Title: Recruitment, Placement, Mentoring (RPM) Assistant (Admissions) (SAD E-5) 
Duty Location: Discovery Youth Challenge Academy (DCA), Lathrop 

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 E-5. 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  
Discovery 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 E-4 through E-6 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.   
• Experience supervising and/or counseling youth. 
• Public speaking skills are required. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Flexible work schedule requirement including nights and weekends when the academy mission dictates. 
• Must be able to pass State and Federal as well as NACI background checks (Live Scan), and California Military Department status verification.  Continuation of employment is contingent upon maintaining favorable background checks. 
• Must possess a valid state driver's license. 
• Training or experience in human relations, equal opportunity or human awareness is desired. 
• Strong computer skills with Windows Operating System and Office Suite experience is desired. 
• Experience with recruiting, advertising, marketing, public relations, or other related fields and knowledge of the NGB Post Residential Action Plan guidelines is desired. 
• Experience in recruiting youth, to include experience conducting presentations for recruiting purposes is desired.  
• Possess at least two years of managerial, administrative, or leadership experience is 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 state driver’s license.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 
Works under the supervision of the Recruiting, Placement, and Mentoring (RPM) NCOIC. 
• Processes and maintains admissions documents for the Academy. 
• Conducts interviews with applicants seeking to attend the Academy, ensuring they meet program participant eligibility for acceptance in accordance with National Guard Bureau and Department of Defense regulatory guidance.  
• Assists with preparing, delivering, and supporting orientation events to parents and potential applicants.   
• Participates in Academy recruiting events and activities.  
• Supports the medication administration process by assisting in the distribution of medications to cadets, and serves as required program staff in the medication distribution process in accordance with established 
protocols. 
• Provides support to the Academy Recruiter and assists with professional presentations to community organizations and agencies, as requested.  
• Serves as a member of a platoon support team, as directed each cycle and supports platoon team activities, including individual cadet assessments and community service projects.  
• Maintains and monitors cadet case files during the residential and post-residential phases of the Academy and submits reports to the National Guard Bureau, when required. 
• Maintains positive relationships with program graduates during the post-residential phase. 
• Assists with maintaining and preparing documents and data for National Guard Bureau compliance inspections and yearly Academy self-assessments.  
• Promotes positive relationships in the community through involvement with community organizations and community service projects.  
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Applications must be received by the State Personnel office no later than midnight on Monday, 2 November 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: 
• How would you best describe your abilities to communicate effectively and persuasively with candidates, clients, and colleagues? (This includes active listening, clear writing, and verbal skills). 
• In your own words, please depict your understanding of the Discovery Challenge Academy, as an organization, specifically who you are recruiting for, and the specific skills, qualifications, and experience required to be in an outreach department. 
• What is your prior experience and/or history with networking skills and building relationships within the California Military Department and/or other organizations from an outreach and case management perspective? 
• Accurately depict your time management skills within a robust / cumbersome work environment in order to effectively and efficiently meet needs / deadlines of a given organization. 
• How would you best describe your leadership traits that allow you to be adaptable and make you the best fit for the Outreach, Recruiting and Admissions department within the Discovery Challenge Academy?

Chuck Callahan