Child and Youth Program Assistant May be eligible for 1000.00 Incentive at 6 Month and 12 Month

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Kittery, ME

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. The role includes planning and leading activities, maintaining safe and engaging indoor and outdoor spaces, supervising participants, communicating with parents and coworkers, observing developmental progress, and supporting program compliance and evaluation. The position has entry, intermediate, and target levels, with qualifications varying by level. Duties include implementing activities and special events that address participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs; adapting activities and care to individual or special requirements; maintaining equipment and supplies; and following Department of Defense, Navy, and local installation policies. The assistant also documents participation and developmental observations, reports safety or compliance concerns, and serves as a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse or neglect. Employment is subject to required training and credentials, background and records checks, pre-employment and random drug testing, and a pre-employment physical. The selected candidate may be required to complete a one-year probationary period and must participate in direct deposit within the first 30 days of employment. The posting notes possible incentives of $1,000 at six and twelve months.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; documentation must be provided.
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 Child and Youth Programs.
Must promote effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers and work cooperatively as a team member.
Must pass applicable background and records checks, including required child-care checks, fingerprint checks, a Tier 1 with Child Care check, a State Criminal History Repository check, and an Installation Records Check.
Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing and consent to testing; a positive result or failure to submit for testing may result in 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 if it was not provided with the application.
Intermediate level: Six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting, knowledge of basic child and youth development principles, and ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices, interpret a curriculum or activity plan, plan and organize, and work cooperatively.
Intermediate level: Completion of Navy Entry Level training, or an accepted Army, Air Force, or Marine equivalent.
Target level: One year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting, knowledge and skill in applying child and youth development principles, ability to provide high-quality direct care and education individually or in groups, and ability to explain basic program information and CYP processes and procedures.
Target level: Must have completed DoD standardized training courses, hold a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) credential, or have at least a two-year degree in a listed or related education field.
Must meet applicable suitability standards; specified convictions or findings involving sexual offenses, child victims, felony drug offenses, or negligence resulting in a child’s or dependent person’s death or serious injury are disqualifying.
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 required starting May 7, 2025.
Candidates should be committed to improving Federal government efficiency, the ideals of the American republic, the rule of law, and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Develops schedules and activity plans, including reviewing and providing input on plans prepared by entry- and intermediate-level assistants.
Ensures program plans and activities address the observed needs of individual children and youth.
Implements activities and special events that meet participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
Incorporates parents’ instructions, including information about dietary or physical needs, and prepares program options for participants with special requirements.
Cares for children and youth with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous activities; models developmentally appropriate practices and activity-area management.
Promotes and models safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices; helps arrange or serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
Prepares, arranges, and maintains indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials; sets up displays and bulletin boards.
Inventories equipment and recommends replacement of damaged, missing, or depleted supplies; secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.
Establishes an environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions; uses approved child-guidance and youth-development techniques.
Provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability in accordance with DoD, NAF Component, and local installation policies and standards.
Maintains control of and accounts for participants’ whereabouts and safety during daily activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensures participants depart with an authorized person according to written parental instructions, as applicable.
Observes participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and reports concerns as directed; fulfills mandatory reporting obligations for suspected abuse or neglect.
Communicates professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel and provides parents daily verbal or written feedback.
Participates in conferences with parents and employees.
Observes children and youth, documents developmental progress or concerns, and uses the information in planning.
Participates in program evaluation using designated rating scales, risk-assessment tools, self-inspection materials, and accreditation tools.
Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or an equivalent.
Ensures compliance with laws, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD Child and Youth programs and notifies the supervisor of health, fire, or safety compliance concerns.
Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
Performs other related duties as assigned.