Child And Youth Program Assistant (Cdc)

Air Force Global Strike Command • Ellsworth AFB, SD

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This Non-appropriated Fund position is located at the Ellsworth AFB Child Development Center. The Child and Youth Program Assistant provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for children and youth in one or more programs, ensuring their whereabouts and safety. The role supports age-appropriate activities, supervises indoor and outdoor activities and outings, and may arrange and serve snacks and meals. Work must follow applicable policies and regulations, and the incumbent may be required to transport children in government vehicles.

Duties vary by level. At the target level, the assistant coordinates and conducts activities for participants from 6 weeks to 18 years old, supports welcoming 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 activity plans appropriate to participants’ ages and stages, 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, generates lists of needed supplies and equipment, and attends to children’s physical needs as applicable.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Qualifications for target and intermediate levels include specified childcare or youth-program experience, credentials, education, and training; no prior experience is required for the entry level. Employment is subject to background checks, drug testing, a favorable pre-employment physical, current immunizations, and required training, including Food Handlers certification. Applicants must be at least 18 at hire and communicate effectively in English. Direct-care staff may receive a child-care fee discount under the stated eligibility conditions.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent; proof must be provided for verification.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
• Must be at least 18 years old at time of hire.
• Satisfactory completion of required pre-employment checks, including a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation.
• Must consent to pre-employment and random drug testing because the position is a Test Designated Position.
• Must complete a favorable pre-employment physical due to the physical lifting requirement.
• Must obtain and maintain current immunizations, including annual influenza vaccinations, and be free of communicable diseases.
• Must complete assigned training within the specified time after hire or assignment, including Food Handlers certification.
• Entry level: no previous experience required.
• Intermediate level: six months of experience equivalent to the CY-01 Entry Level working in a group program for children or youth; completion of three Air Force modules or equivalent and the Air Force Orientation Training Program.
• Target level: 12 months working in any childcare or youth program, plus completion of DoD-approved competency-training courses; entry- and intermediate-level training must also be completed and documented by Service-issued documentation.
• Target level qualification may be met through 12 months of childcare or youth-program experience plus a relevant credential maintained for the assigned age group, such as a Child Development Associate credential, Military School Age credential, or other nationally recognized youth development credential.
• Target level qualification may be met through 12 months of childcare or youth-program experience plus an associate degree with 24 credit hours of study related to the assigned age group.
• Target level qualification may be met through possession and maintenance of a relevant credential for the assigned age group, including a Child Development Associate credential, Military School Age credential, Army Youth Practicum, or other nationally recognized youth development credential.
• Target level qualification may be met through a bachelor’s degree or at least 120 semester hours, including 24 credit hours in a related major such as early childhood education, child development, youth development, human development, elementary education, special education, secondary education, youth program administration, recreation, or physical education.
• Applicants relying on foreign education must provide evidence that the credentials are equivalent to conventional U.S. education.
• Applicants must provide supporting documents needed to verify qualifications and eligibility.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct deposit is required, and employment verification through E-Verify must be completed satisfactorily.
• Applicants must provide a REAL ID or an authorized combination of identity documents to facilitate installation access.

Responsibilities

• Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for children and youth, ensuring their safety and whereabouts.
• Assist in preparing age-appropriate activities and supervise participants during indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
• Arrange and serve snacks and meals.
• Perform 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 to 18 years.
• Create an environment that welcomes participant interest and promotes positive interactions.
• Implement program options for children and youth with special requirements, as applicable to the target-level duties.
• Demonstrate, instruct, lead, and facilitate planned and spontaneous program activities at the target level.
• Brief staff, management, and parents on activities.
• Conduct inventories of equipment and supplies at target and intermediate levels.
• 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 and assist with planned activities using prepared curriculum and program 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 provides a 100% child-care fee discount for the first child enrolled in a full-time or regular part-time Department of the Air Force Child Development Program for eligible direct-care staff.
• A 25% child-care fee discount applies to 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