Child and Youth Program Assistant - may be eligible for 1000.00 at 6 months and 1 year

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Virginia Beach, VA

About The Position

Child and Youth Program Assistants work directly with children and youth to keep them engaged, well-cared for, and safe while participating in the Child and Youth Program (CYP). They support social skills, healthy choices, self-help and school readiness skills, and exploration of the surrounding environment. The position is with NRMA Naval Air Station Oceana/Dam Neck Annex N96. Assistants develop and implement schedules, activity plans, activities, and special events that address participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs, including the needs of children and youth with special requirements. They help prepare and maintain activity spaces and supplies, foster positive interactions, and provide accountable supervision during program activities and outings. They communicate with parents and employees, observe and document participants’ development, contribute to program evaluations, and help maintain compliance with applicable DoD and local policies and standards. The job posting identifies entry, intermediate, and target levels with different qualification requirements. Applicants must meet the applicable age, education, experience, training, certification, background-check, drug-testing, and physical requirements. A selectee may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. The position may be eligible for $1,000 at six months and one year.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
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 checks required for child-care positions.
Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing and consent to testing; a positive result or failure to submit may result in removal or withdrawal of a 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 if it was not included with the application; a high school diploma or equivalent is required for each level.
Entry level: Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers 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, and work cooperatively with a team; six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
Intermediate level: Completion of Navy Entry Level training requirement; Army, Air Force, and Marine equivalents are accepted.
Target level: Entry- and intermediate-level knowledge and abilities, plus knowledge and skill in 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.
Target level: One year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
Target level: Completion of DoD standardized training courses, a valid CDA or MSA credential, or at least a two-year degree in a listed or related education, child development, recreation, physical education, or youth development field.
Must satisfactorily complete child-care background checks, including fingerprint checks, a Tier 1 with Child Care check, State Criminal History Repository check, and Installation Records Check.
Certain convictions or findings involving sexual offenses, child victims, felony drug offenses, or negligence concerning a child’s death or serious injury are disqualifying under the cited DoD policy.
Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
Must provide a copy of a high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts showing a degree awarded or conferred when applying.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred for entry-level applicants.
Intermediate-level applicants may have six months of child- or youth-setting experience and Navy Entry Level training or an accepted service equivalent.
Target-level applicants may qualify through DoD standardized training, a valid CDA or MSA credential, or a qualifying two-year degree in a listed or related field.

Responsibilities

Develop schedules and activity plans, incorporating observed needs of individual children and youth.
Implement activities and special events that support participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
Incorporate parent-provided instructions, including special dietary or physical needs, and prepare program options for participants 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 activity-area management.
Promote and model safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices; help arrange and/or serve 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 replenishing 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 local installation policies and standards.
Maintain control of and account for participants’ whereabouts and safety during daily activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensure participants depart with authorized persons in accordance with written parental instructions.
Observe participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and report as directed; act as a mandatory reporter in suspected child abuse or neglect cases as prescribed by local policy.
Interact professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel; provide parents daily verbal or written feedback and participate in conferences.
Observe participants, document developmental progression or concerns, and use this information in planning.
Participate in program evaluation using designated rating scales, risk assessment tools, self-inspection materials, and accreditation tools.
Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent; ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
Notify the supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.
Collect, maintain, and report program participation data.
Perform other related duties as assigned.