Team Leader

About the role

The Thunderbird Challenge Program seeks a dedicated Team Leader to supervise young cadets aged 15½ to 18. This role involves providing daily guidance, leading character education and team-building activities, enforcing program rules, and supporting cadets' academic and personal development.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily supervision, guidance, and positive mentorship to assigned cadets in a structured, residential, and quasi-military environment.
• Lead and oversee leadership development, character education, and team-building activities that promote discipline, accountability, and teamwork.
• Enforce program rules, policies, and standards; address behavioral and disciplinary issues in a fair, calm, and constructive manner.
• Support cadets in achieving academic, career, and personal development goals and guide cadets to appropriate resources.
• Supervise cadets during all scheduled activities, including physical training, academic instruction, community service, and field trips.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to behavior, incidents, and cadet progress; participate in staff meetings and required trainings.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Military background preferred but not required; experience working with youth in structured environments such as education, coaching, mentoring, corrections, or law enforcement is highly transferable to this role.
• Able to work in conditions of both high and low temperatures, and lead and participate in age-appropriate physical training activities as required by the program.
• Requires long periods of standing and walking indoors and outdoors throughout the day.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement within one year of employment.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to connect with young people.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, and constructive in challenging situations.
• Capable of fostering teamwork and discipline among diverse groups.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a commitment to modeling positive behavior.
• Exhibits sensitivity to the challenges faced by youth and a dedication to helping them succeed.
• Able to assess situations, make decisions under pressure, and address cadet needs effectively.
• Able to work effectively within a structured environment while maintaining a supportive and motivational approach with youth.

Skills

• Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and patient.
• Fostering teamwork and discipline.
• Integrity and accountability.
• Assessing situations and making decisions.

Benefits

• Percentage of matching contributions to employees’ retirement plans.
• 11 holidays.
• A minimum of 15 days of annual and sick leave per year.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including a benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.

Pay

$40,000.00 starting salary.

Schedule

Full-time position with shift work and potential weekend work (facility open 24 hours, 7 days a week).

Benefits

• Retirement plan matching contributions.
• 11 holidays.
• Minimum of 15 days of annual and sick leave per year.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including a benefit allowance for insurance premiums.