Child And Youth Program Assistant

Air Education and Training Command • Keesler AFB, MS

3d

About The Position

This Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) position is located at a Child Development Center. The Child and Youth Program Assistant provides care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for children and youth in one or more programs, ensuring their whereabouts and safety. The assistant helps prepare age-appropriate activities, supervises indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events, arranges and serves snacks or meals, and follows applicable policies and regulations. The role may require transporting children in government vehicles.

At the target level, the assistant coordinates and conducts activities for children and youth ages 6 weeks through 18 years, supports positive interactions and participant interest, implements program options for children and youth with special requirements, leads planned and spontaneous activities, briefs staff, management, and parents, and inventories equipment and supplies.

At the intermediate level, the assistant helps plan, coordinate, and conduct activities; implements daily schedules and age- and stage-appropriate activity plans; encourages positive interactions; briefs staff, management, and parents; and inventories supplies and equipment.

At the entry level, the assistant performs routine tasks using step-by-step instructions, helps deliver prepared activities and curriculum, fosters positive interactions, identifies needed supplies and equipment, and attends to children’s physical needs as applicable.

The position requires satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation and a favorable pre-employment physical. The employee must maintain current immunizations, including annual influenza vaccinations, be free of communicable diseases, and complete assigned training, including Food Handlers certification, within the specified period. Child care fee discounts are available to direct care staff subject to the stated eligibility and schedule requirements.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
• Must satisfactorily complete pre-employment checks, including a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation.
• Must meet the physical lifting requirement and receive a favorable pre-employment physical.
• Must obtain and maintain current immunizations, including annual influenza vaccinations, and be free of communicable diseases.
• Must complete assigned training, including Food Handlers certification, within the specified time after hire or assignment.
• Target level: 12 months of experience working in a childcare or youth program and demonstrated knowledge of child/youth development theories and principles.
• Target level: Must have one of the following: completed DoW-approved competency-based training requirements; a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Military School-Age Credential, or other nationally recognized credential appropriate to the age group served; or at least 12 semester hours of directly related coursework from an accredited college or university.
• Intermediate level: Six months of experience equivalent to the CY-01 Entry Level working in a group program for children or youth.
• Intermediate level: Must have one of the following: completed Entry Level DoW standardized training documented by the Service; completed industry training considered equivalent to DoW Entry Level training; or at least six semester hours of relevant college credit in early childhood, elementary or secondary education, child and youth development, or special education.
• Entry level: No previous experience required.
• Applicants qualifying based on education must provide transcripts; foreign education must be shown to be equivalent to a conventional U.S. education program.
• Must provide proof of claimed hiring preference or priority eligibility, if applicable, with the application by the closing date.
• Must provide a REAL ID or an authorized combination of identity documents to access the installation.
• Direct deposit is required.
• Must satisfactorily complete an employment verification (E-Verify) check.

Responsibilities

• Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for children and youth, including ensuring their whereabouts and safety.
• Help prepare age-appropriate activities and supervise indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
• Arrange and serve snacks and meals.
• Carry out work in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Transport children in government vehicles if required.
• At the target level, coordinate and conduct activities for children and youth ages 6 weeks through 18 years.
• Create an environment that welcomes participant interest and promotes positive interactions.
• Implement program options for children and youth with special requirements.
• Demonstrate, instruct, lead, and facilitate planned and spontaneous program activities at the target level.
• Brief staff, management, and parents on activities.
• Conduct inventories of equipment and supplies.
• At the intermediate level, assist in planning, coordinating, and conducting activities and implement daily schedules and age- and stage-appropriate activity plans.
• At the entry level, assist with planned activities using prepared curriculum and program materials, generate lists of needed supplies and equipment, and attend to children’s physical needs as applicable.

Benefits

• 100% child care fee discount for the first child enrolled in a full-time or regular part-time Department of the Air Force Child Development Program, subject to eligibility requirements.
• 25% child care fee discount for additional children of direct care staff, subject to eligibility requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED