CHILD AND YOUTH PROGRAM ASSISTANT (Multilevel) - DIX

Air Mobility Command • Fort Dix, NJ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This Non-Appropriated Funds position is located at the Child Development Center at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The Child and Youth Program Assistant serves in one or more child and youth programs and is accountable for participants’ whereabouts and safety. The assistant provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability; helps prepare age-appropriate activities; supervises participants during indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events; and arranges and serves snacks and meals. Work is performed in accordance with applicable policies and regulations. The assistant may be required to transport children in government vehicles.

Duties vary by level. At the Target level, the assistant coordinates and conducts activities for children and youth ages 6 weeks through 18 years, fosters participant interest and positive interactions, 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; briefs staff, management, and parents; and inventories equipment and supplies. At the Entry level, the assistant performs routine tasks using step-by-step instructions, helps provide planned activities using prepared curriculum and materials, fosters participant interest and positive interactions, identifies needed supplies and equipment, and attends to children’s physical needs as applicable.

The position requires satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks, a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation, a favorable pre-employment physical, current immunizations including annual influenza vaccination, and freedom from communicable diseases. The incumbent must complete assigned training, including Food Handlers certification, within the specified period after hire or assignment. Applicants must be at least 18 and communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing. The position offers a child care fee discount for direct care staff: 100% for the first child enrolled in a full-time or regular part-time Department of the Air Force Child Development Program and 25% for additional children, subject to the stated work-schedule requirements.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Must complete required pre-employment checks and a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation.
• Must complete a favorable pre-employment physical due to the physical lifting requirement.
• Must be able to obtain, maintain, and provide evidence of current immunizations, including annual influenza vaccination, 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 completed DoW-approved competency-based training requirements, hold an appropriate recognized child or youth development credential, or have at least 12 semester hours of coursework directly related to the age group served.
• 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 completed Entry Level DoW standardized training, completed equivalent industry training, or have at least six semester hours of qualifying college credit in early childhood, elementary or secondary education, child and youth development, or special education.
• Entry level: No previous experience is required.
• Applicants qualifying through education must provide transcripts; foreign education must be shown to be equivalent to a conventional U.S. education program.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct deposit is required, and applicants must satisfactorily complete an E-Verify employment verification check.
• Applicants must provide a REAL ID or an authorized combination of source identity documents to access the installation.

Responsibilities

• Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for children and youth in one or more programs.
• Ensure the whereabouts and safety of program participants.
• Help prepare and provide age-appropriate activities and supervise children and youth during 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.
• May transport children in government vehicles.
• 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 activities.
• 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, perform routine tasks following step-by-step instructions, use 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 DAF Child Development Program for eligible direct care staff.
• 25% child care fee discount for additional children of eligible direct care staff.

What This Job Offers

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