The Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) is accepting applications for a full-time Cadre Instructor position in Dillon, Montana. This position will remain open until filled.​

About the Academy

The Montana Youth Challenge Academy is a residential academic intervention program for youth at risk of not completing high school, located on the campus of the University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT. The Academy uses a highly-structured environment and selected aspects of military-style training—such as team accountability, leadership, and physical fitness—to help youth build positive skills, self-confidence, and a path toward successful adult lives.​

Position Overview

Cadre Instructors provide direct supervision, mentoring, and instruction to program participants (“Cadets”) in a safe, healthy, and highly-structured residential setting. Cadre Instructors are responsible for maintaining the safety, welfare, and accountability of Cadets at all times, modeling appropriate conduct, and reinforcing program standards and expectations.​

In this role, you will help Cadets learn and practice:

• Healthy life habits and positive routines.​
• Coping skills for emotional and social challenges.​
• Time management, problem solving, and communication skills.​
• Self-motivation and progress toward personal and career goals.​
• Personal accountability, teamwork, and pride in group achievement.​

Cadre Instructors also provide direct instruction and coaching in leadership, military customs and courtesies, and physical fitness training, consistent with the MYCA model and curriculum.​

Shift and duty differential pay may increase the base rate of pay for this position. A tiered pay structure offers pay increases based on performance after the first six months of employment.​

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and guide Cadets in a residential, quasi-military environment.​
• Enforce Academy rules, standards of conduct, and safety protocols to ensure a secure, orderly environment.​
• Lead and participate in daily formations, inspections, drills, and physical fitness activities.​
• Provide instruction and coaching in leadership, teamwork, military customs and courtesies, and appropriate life skills.​
• Model professional behavior, sound judgment, respect, and integrity at all times.​
• Monitor and document Cadet behavior, performance, and progress; report concerns and successes to supervisory staff.​
• Respond to emergencies and challenging situations in a calm, consistent, and safety-focused manner.​

• Collaborate with Academy staff to support Cadets’ academic, behavioral, and personal development goals.

  
  
  
  Effective April 4, 2026, this agency is participatingin E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/.

This is an entry-level professional position that builds a pathway into a variety of human service fields, such as education, social work, psychology, advocacy, and community development.​

Successful candidates may draw on a variety of experiences; any combination of the following may be considered:​

• An associate’s degree or two years of post-secondary education in a human-service related field such as psychology, sociology, social work, or education.​
• Two years of professional experience coaching, mentoring, teaching, or leading youth.​
• Two years of military experience.​

Relevant combinations of education, military service, and experience working with youth will be considered.​

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a citizen of the United States of America.​
• Must be able to pass background and driving record checks.​
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Montana driver’s license and maintain a good driving record.​
• Must be of sound judgment and good character, as demonstrated through reference and background checks.​
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test and comply with ongoing random drug screenings.​

Application Materials

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following through the State of Montana Careers system:​

• Cover letter describing interest in and qualifications for the Cadre Instructor position.​
• Current resume.​
• Completed State of Montana employment application.​

This position is open until filled; applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.