Title: Commandant/Operations Manager
State Role Title: Security Officer IV
Hiring Range: $60,000 - $85,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Department of Military Affairs
Location: Commonwealth Challenge
Agency Website: DMA
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
About the Agency:
The Mission of the Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is to intervene in the lives of 16-18 year old teenagers by providing the values, skills, education, and self-discipline needed to produce responsible, productive citizens, and to do so in a highly structured learning environment.
Purpose of Position:
Supervises Team Leaders/Shift Supervisors and the daily execution of cadet training, Military Science curriculum development and execution and curriculum/execution of Core Components requirements (Physical Fitness/Leadership/Followership/Service to Community).
Job Duties:
10% - Performance Management:
- Staff receive frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate;
- Staff have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals;
- Staff complete initial and sustainment training as needed to be successful;
- The requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and evaluations are completed by established deadlines with proper documentation;
- Performance issues are addressed and documented as they occur;
- Addresses any staff conflicts between each other within one day and briefs chain of command if support is needed.
80% - Operations Oversight:
- Develop Operations department budget and submit on established deadlines;
- Attends 2nd shift turnover briefing at least 3 x per week to observe and provide information to shift regarding issues pertaining to Operations;
- Coordinates all aspects of cadet and staff operations by attending daily Cadet Intervention meetings (CIM), department head meetings, Planning Board for Training (PB4T) meetings;
- Ensures Assistant Commandant completes the schedule for the 11 day Acclimation Period twice a year. The acclimation schedule is completed and reviewed by week 21 of the class in session and briefed to all staff during in-service training and updated daily during the actual Acclimation phase;
- Oversee the development and execution of the Military Science curriculum, provide instruction as needed, and ensure instructors are scheduled and grades are into tracking system for the academic transcript;
- Hold Team Leader/Shift Supervisor responsible and accountable for abiding by SOP 3.0, cadet safety, barracks cleanliness, standardization of barracks and cadet training, health and comfort weekly inspections, weekly uniform, and barracks inspections. Documentation retained on file;
- Ensure that all incident reports are completed properly as per SOP 1.23. Document those who fail to meet the criteria in accordance with SOP 1.23. Complete the incident report in accordance with policy on action taken.
5% - Cadet Service to Community (S2C):
- Ensure that Challenge Logistics/Physical Security Supervisor and staff, are synchronized with Operations to provide logistics, transportation, building use/status, field trip, dining facility, and all other support to ensure mission success;
- Ensure cadets arrive at service to community activities on time, in the proper uniform and are picked up on time.
5% - Special Cadet Activities:
- Logistics and operational requirements for building usage are requested for OPS needs in advance to the Logistics Supervisor;
- Performs additional tasks as directed by the Director or the Deputy Director.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of management: organization, planning, staffing, training, budgeting, and reporting within Operations Department;
Ability to input cadet information into Cadet Tracking database;
Ability to plan, direct, develop internal procedures and coordinate program and administrative activities within the Operations;
Ability to supervise, evaluate operational situations, and analyze data and facts in preparation for administrative and policy decisions;
Interpersonal skills required – Must be able to build and maintain successful working relationships with both adults and students from all backgrounds;
Ability to communicate and coordinate cadet parent/guardian matters/issues;
Ability to analyze and evaluate cadet conduct and discipline;
Ability to hold operations staff accountable for meeting standards of conduct, policy and procedures/SOPs;
Ability to evaluate student conduct/misconduct to determine and execute the best course of action;
Ability to communicate policy and procedure effectively;
Previous supervisory experience (to include hiring, employee evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary actions) required;
Previous work experience managing, planning, directing, and coordinating a program (preferably in an educational setting);
Develop and execute Operational Risk Management (ORM) within the Operations Department;
Capable of performing clerical functions and above working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel);
Must be willing and able to work various shifts as needed to cover for staff;
Valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving record is required.
Additional Considerations
Extensive experience successfully supervising five or more employees;
Prior military service preferred;
Prior experience working with at-risk youth.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Employment offers are subject to any of the following:
- Extensive criminal background check
- CPS Check
- Pre-employment drug screening
- Employment reference checks
- Virginia DMV Driver Alert System
- Pre-employment physical examination
Must obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with airbrake and passenger endorsement within 10 months of hire, and must maintain a valid CDL for the duration of employment thereafter.
Must have, and maintain, a valid Virginia Driver’s License for the duration of employment.
The Department of Military Affairs is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. DMA encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.
We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) certified state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application and/or resume.
AmeriCorps and Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume, or manually listed in the “Relevant Work History” section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
This position is restricted, meaning the funding for this job is non-general and/or non-recurring.
This job is a civilian position and does not require military service (including commission and enlistment).
Contact Information
Name: Loreley A. Leabhart
Phone: (804) 313-1694
Email: loreley.a.leabhart2.nfg@army.mil
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.