Child and Youth Program Assistant

Air Education and Training Command • Lackland AFB, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) position is located at the Lackland Child Development Center. It is a flexible-category position with no guaranteed hours; employees may work up to 40 hours per week and are scheduled as needed. The position is not eligible for benefits. Pay depends on experience, education, and/or certification: Target Level, $22.08; Intermediate Level, $20.65; Entry Level, $18.70.

The incumbent serves as a Child and Youth Program Assistant in one or more child and youth programs and is accountable for the whereabouts and safety of children and youth. The role provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants. Duties vary by level, from assisting with routine tasks and prepared activities to coordinating and leading activities for children and youth ages 6 weeks through 18 years. Work is performed in accordance with applicable policies and regulations. The employee may be required to transport children in government vehicles.

Target-level assistants coordinate and conduct activities, implement program options for children and youth with special requirements, facilitate planned and spontaneous activities, brief staff, management, and parents, and inventory equipment and supplies. Intermediate-level assistants help plan, coordinate, and conduct activities; implement daily schedules and activity plans; brief staff, management, and parents; and inventory equipment and supplies. Entry-level assistants help deliver planned activities using prepared curriculum and materials, identify needed supplies and equipment, and attend to children’s physical needs as applicable.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Qualifications beyond that baseline vary by level. Target-level applicants need relevant childcare or youth-program experience and qualifying training, credentials, or education as specified in the announcement. Intermediate-level applicants need qualifying group-program experience and specified training. No previous experience is required for the entry level.

Employment is contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation, and meeting residency, physical, immunization, training, and other eligibility requirements. Direct-care staff may be eligible for child-care fee discounts under the conditions described in the announcement.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent, with proof provided for verification.
• Meet the experience and qualification requirements for the level sought.
• Target Level: 18 months of experience working in a childcare or youth program, plus applicable DoD-approved competency-training courses and evidence of completed entry- and intermediate-level training; alternatively, the announcement lists qualifying combinations of experience with relevant credentials, an associate degree with 24 related credit hours, or a bachelor’s degree or at least 120 semester hours with 24 related credit hours in specified fields.
• Target Level: Where applicable, possess and maintain a credential directly related to the assigned age group, such as a Child Development Associate credential, Military School Age credential, Army Youth Practicum, or another nationally recognized youth-development credential.
• Intermediate Level: Six months of experience equivalent to CY-01 Entry Level working in a group program for children or youth, completion of three Air Force modules or equivalent, and completion of the AF Orientation Training Program.
• Entry Level: No previous experience required.
• Satisfactorily complete pre-employment checks under Air Force and DoD policy, including a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation.
• Have resided in the United States for three years and reside in the commuting area of the vacancy location.
• Meet the physical lifting requirement and complete a favorable pre-employment physical.
• Obtain, maintain, and provide evidence of current immunizations, including annual influenza vaccination, and be free of communicable diseases.
• Complete assigned training, including Food Handlers certification, within the specified period after hire or assignment.
• Be at least 18 years old at the time of hire.
• Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Provide direct deposit information and satisfactorily complete E-Verify employment verification.
• Provide a REAL ID or an authorized combination of identity documents to access the installation.
• Provide supporting documents needed to verify qualifications and eligibility; foreign education must be documented as equivalent to a conventional U.S. education program.

Responsibilities

• Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for children and youth participating in programs.
• Maintain accountability for the whereabouts and safety of program participants.
• Assist in preparing age-appropriate activities.
• 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 policies and regulations.
• Transport children in government vehicles when required.
• At the Target Level, coordinate and conduct activities for children and youth ages 6 weeks to 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.
• Brief staff, management, and parents on activities.
• Conduct inventories of equipment and supplies.
• At the Intermediate Level, assist in planning, coordinating, and conducting activities for participants.
• At the Intermediate Level, implement daily schedules and activity plans to ensure age- and stage-appropriateness.
• At the Entry Level, perform routine tasks following step-by-step instructions and assist with planned activities using prepared curriculum and materials.
• At the Entry Level, generate lists of needed supplies and equipment and attend to children’s physical needs, as applicable.

Benefits

• Child Development Program fee discount for the first child enrolled in a full-time or regular part-time DAF Child Development Program for eligible direct-care staff.
• A 25% fee discount for additional children of eligible direct-care staff.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED