Job Description:

The Southwest Area CTE Academy (SWCTE) is seeking a motivated and visionary educator to serve as a High School Military Instructor. This unique position will help launch and pilot the first program of its kind in North Dakota, providing students across Southwest North Dakota with opportunities to explore military careers, leadership development, and transferable career skills.

The selected candidate will play a key role in developing, refining, and delivering curriculum that connects military leadership, training, and career pathways with high demand civilian occupations. This position offers a rare opportunity to help design and build a model program that may serve as a blueprint for other Career and Technical Education centers across the state.

The position will be based at the Southwest Area CTE Academy in Dickinson, but instruction will serve students across western North Dakota through both in person and hybrid learning environments.

Position Responsibilities
The High School Military Instructor will:
• Deliver engaging instruction to high school students in military career exploration and leadership development
• Develop and refine curriculum to ensure strong alignment with career readiness skills, and student engagement
• Provide instruction in both in person and hybrid learning environments serving students across western North Dakota
• Coordinate hands on training experiences and lab days in partnership with the North Dakota National Guard and local military partners
• Build relationships with local military recruiters, community partners, and Guard facilities to enhance student learning experiences
• Foster leadership, discipline, teamwork, and career readiness skills that benefit both military bound students and those pursuing civilian careers
• Help establish and grow a program that can become a model for military pathway education in North Dakota

Course Offerings for 26/27 School Year
Introduction to Military Careers (1 Credit)
Grades 10 through 12
This course bridges civilian career opportunities and military pathways. Students explore how military training, values, and career fields connect to high demand civilian occupations such as cybersecurity, aviation, healthcare, engineering, logistics, and leadership. Students will also gain exposure to real world military training applications while learning how service-based skills translate into career opportunities across many industries. The course helps students evaluate military service, civilian careers, or both while building the knowledge and skills needed for long term success.

Military Leadership (1 Credit)
Grades 10 through 12
Prerequisite: Introduction to Military Careers
This course focuses on leadership development through military style leadership principles, ethical decision making, teamwork, and communication. Students explore the chain of command, leadership roles, civic responsibility, and participate in military drill and ceremony activities. Hands on learning experiences are provided through partnerships with the North Dakota Army National Guard, including leadership and skill building opportunities locally and beyond.

Minimum Qualifications
• Current or former member of the United States Armed Forces
• Holds or is eligible to obtain a North Dakota Teaching License
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to work with high school students
• Strong communication and relationship building skills
• Passion for mentoring students and developing leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications
• Previous teaching or instructional experience
• Experience working with youth leadership programs or training environments
• Knowledge of Career and Technical Education pathways
• Experience collaborating with military organizations, training programs, or community partners
• Ability to develop innovative curriculum and hands on learning experiences

Position Details
• 185 day teaching contract
• Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with the Dickinson Public Schools Professional Negotiated Agreement
• Opportunity to help design and lead a first-of-its-kind military career pathway program in North Dakota

About Southwest Area CTE Academy
The Southwest Area CTE Academy serves students from seven high schools around SW ND by providing innovative Career and Technical Education programs aligned with workforce needs. Through strong partnerships with business, industry, and community organizations, SWCTE prepares students with the skills, leadership, and experiences necessary for success in both college and careers.

For additional information, please contact:
Aaron Anderson
CTE Director
Southwest Area CTE Academy
Dickinson Public Schools
aanderson@dpsnd.org
(701) 456 3270