Child and Youth Program Assistant

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Indian Head, MD

10d

About The Position

Child and Youth Program Assistants work directly with children and youth to keep them engaged, cared for, and safe while participating in the Child and Youth Program (CYP). They support the development of social skills, healthy choices, self-help abilities, school readiness, and exploration of the surrounding environment. The position includes duties in curriculum, indoor and outdoor environments, interactions and relationships, supervision, communication with parents and employees, assessment, compliance, and other program responsibilities. Assistants develop schedules and activity plans, adapt programming to participants’ observed needs and special requirements, and lead planned and spontaneous activities that support physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. They prepare and maintain activity areas and materials, promote safety, health, fitness, and nutrition, supervise participants during activities and outings, communicate with parents and colleagues, document developmental progress, contribute to program evaluations, and help ensure compliance with applicable requirements. The posting describes entry, intermediate, and target levels. All candidates must be at least 18 years old and meet the education, experience, and training requirements applicable to the level for which they qualify. Employment is subject to background checks, drug testing, a pre-employment physical, immunization requirements, and other stated conditions.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing, follow verbal and written instructions, and complete required Department of the Navy training within the specified timeframe.
Must promote effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers and work cooperatively as a team member.
Must complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by applicable Federal, State, or national accreditation institutions used by DoD Child and Youth Programs.
Must pass applicable records and background checks, including required child-care checks, fingerprint checks, Installation Records Check, and other checks described in the posting.
Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing; a positive result or failure to submit for testing is a basis for removal. Marijuana use is illegal under Federal law and a positive test may result in withdrawal of a tentative offer and a six-month period of ineligibility to apply for a DoD position.
Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations against communicable diseases.
Must be a U.S. citizen or have three years of lawful U.S. residency.
Must provide proof of education if it was not provided with the application; the posting requests a high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts showing a degree awarded or conferred.
Entry level: high school diploma or equivalent; ability to communicate effectively in English, follow instructions, complete required DoN training, foster effective working relationships, and work cooperatively as a team member.
Intermediate level: entry-level abilities plus knowledge of basic child and youth development principles; ability to apply developmentally appropriate practices, interpret a curriculum or activity plan, plan and organize, follow written instructions, and work effectively with children, youth, and coworkers; six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting; and completion of Navy Entry Level training or an accepted Army, Air Force, or Marine equivalent.
Target level: entry- and intermediate-level knowledge and abilities plus skill applying child and youth development principles and services, fostering effective working relationships, working as a team member, and providing basic program information and explaining CYP processes and procedures; one year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting; and one of the stated training, credential, or degree alternatives.
Target-level education/training alternative: completion of DoD standardized training courses, a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) credential, or at least a two-year degree in a listed or related education, child development, recreation, physical education, or youth-development field.
Some positions may require completion of a one-year probationary period.
Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
The employer uses E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.
Candidates should be committed to improving Federal government efficiency, the ideals of the American republic, and upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred for the entry level.

Responsibilities

Develop schedules and activity plans, including reviewing and providing input on plans developed by entry- and intermediate-level assistants.
Ensure program plans and activities address the observed needs of individual children and youth.
Implement activities and special events that meet participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
Incorporate parents’ special instructions, including dietary or physical needs, into program activities and care.
Prepare and implement program options for children and youth with special requirements, and provide care for participants with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
Demonstrate, instruct, lead, and facilitate planned and spontaneous program activities.
Model developmentally appropriate practices and classroom or activity-area management techniques.
Promote and model safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices; help arrange or serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
Prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials; set up displays and bulletin boards.
Inventory equipment and recommend replenishment of damaged, missing, or depleted supplies; secure supplies, equipment, and facilities.
Establish an environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with children, youth, and adults.
Interact with children and youth using approved child-guidance and youth-development techniques.
Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability in accordance with applicable DoD, NAF Component, and local installation policies and standards.
Maintain control of and account for the whereabouts and safety of participants during daily activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensure participants depart with an authorized person in accordance with written parental instructions, as applicable.
Observe participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and report concerns as directed; serve as a mandatory reporter under applicable local policy.
Interact professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel; provide parents daily verbal or written feedback about their child or program activities.
Participate in conferences with parents and employees.
Observe children and youth, document developmental progress or concerns, and use the information in planning.
Participate in program evaluations using designated rating scales, risk-assessment tools, self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.
Assist with achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
Ensure compliance with laws, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD Child and Youth programs; notify the supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.
Collect, maintain, and report program participation data.
Perform other related duties as assigned.