Child and Youth Program Assistant May be eligible for 1000.00 Incentive at 6 mo. and 1 year

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Norfolk, VA

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 children's social skills, healthy choices, self-help and school readiness skills, and exploration of their environment. Duties span curriculum and activity planning, indoor and outdoor environments, participant interactions and supervision, parent and employee communication, assessment, compliance, and related responsibilities. The position may be hired at entry, intermediate, or target level, with qualifications that vary by level. A $1,000 incentive may be available at six months and one year.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing, and follow verbal and written instructions.
Must complete required training within specified timeframes and maintain certifications or credentials required by federal, state, or national accreditation institutions used by DoD CYP.
Must pass applicable records and background checks, including required child-care checks and installation records checks.
Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing; failure to test or a positive result is grounds for removal or withdrawal of the tentative offer.
Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations.
Must provide proof of education with the application if it was not provided at that time.
Must promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers and work cooperatively as a team member.
Intermediate level: Knowledge of basic child and youth development principles; ability to apply developmentally appropriate practices, provide direct care and education, interpret curricula or activity plans, and plan and organize; requires six months of experience working with children or youth in a child-and-youth setting.
Target level: Knowledge and skills in child and youth development and developmentally appropriate services; ability to provide basic program information and explain CYP processes and procedures; requires one year of experience working with children or youth in a child-and-youth setting.
Entry level: High school diploma or equivalent.
Intermediate level: High school diploma or equivalent, six months of relevant experience, and completion of Navy Entry Level training (or an accepted Army, Air Force, or Marine equivalent).
Target level: High school diploma or equivalent, one year of relevant experience, and one of the following: 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, or youth field.
Must consent to applicable child-care background screening, including fingerprint checks, Tier 1 with Child Care, State Criminal History Repository checks, and Installation Records Check.
May be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
Must participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment.
Must provide a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification for installation access when applicable, starting May 7, 2025.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Develop schedules and activity plans, including reviewing and providing input on plans prepared 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, and prepare program options for children and youth with special requirements.
Care for children and youth 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.
Promote and model safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices; help arrange and serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
Prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity spaces 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; use approved child-guidance and youth-development techniques.
Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability in accordance with applicable DoD, NAF Component, and installation policies and standards.
Maintain control of and account for the whereabouts and safety of participants; supervise daily indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensure children and youth depart with authorized individuals in accordance with written parental instructions.
Observe participants for possible signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and report as directed; report suspected child abuse or neglect as a mandatory reporter under local policy.
Interact professionally with employees, parents, and installation command personnel; provide parents daily verbal or written feedback and participate in conferences.
Observe children and youth, document developmental progress or concerns, and use findings in planning.
Participate in program evaluations using designated rating scales, risk assessment tools, self-inspection materials, and accreditation tools.
Help achieve and maintain DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent; ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations and notify the supervisor of health, fire, or safety concerns.
Collect, maintain, and report program participation data.
Perform other related duties as assigned.