Child and Youth Program Assistant

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Patuxent River, MD

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of the CY Program Assistant is to provide appropriate developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in one or more CY programs. The duties and responsibilities of the CY Program Assistant have been grouped into categories, including curriculum, indoor and outdoor environment, interactions and relationships, supervision of children and youth, parent and employee communication, assessment, compliance, and additional responsibilities.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
Ability to complete all Department of the Navy (DoN) training requirements within the specified timeframe.
Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
Six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting (for Intermediate Level).
One (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting (for Target Level).
Must provide a copy of your H.S. Diploma, GED, or College Transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.
Must satisfactorily complete all background checks for child care positions, including fingerprint checks, a Tier 1 with Child Care check, and a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check.
Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
Ability to sustain considerable walking, standing, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
Must successfully obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as needed.
Ability to complete required training certificates, and maintain certifications or credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions used as part of DoD's Child and Youth Programs.
Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
Must be a U.S. citizen or hold 3 years of lawful U.S. residency.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred (for Entry Level).
Completion of Navy Entry Level training requirement (Army, Air Force, and Marine equivalent accepted) (for Intermediate Level).
Completion of the DoD standardized training courses; OR A valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential; OR A minimum of a 2-year degree in degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, or other field related to Pre-K or Primary Education (for Target Level).

Responsibilities

Develops schedules and activity plans.
Ensures that program plans and activities incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth.
Implements activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of children and youth.
Incorporates special instructions provided by parents such as special dietary needs, physical needs, or other information that may affect the child or youth's experience in the program.
Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special requirements.
Cares for children and youth with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous program activities.
Role models developmentally appropriate practice and classroom or activity area management techniques.
Promotes and models safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices.
Helps arrange for and/or serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
Helps prepare, arrange and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.
Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
Inventories equipment on a recurring basis and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies.
Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.
Establishes a program environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with other children, youth and adults.
Interacts with children and youth using approved child guidance and youth development techniques.
Provides care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with the Department of Defense (DoD), NAF Component, and local installation policies, guidance, and standards.
Maintains control of and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
Supervises children and youth during daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensures children and youth (as applicable) depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions.
Observes program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed.
Incumbent is a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services as prescribed by local policy in the case of suspected incidences of child abuse and neglect.
Interacts professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel.
Provides parents with daily verbal or written feedback about their child/youth or program activities.
Participates in conferences with parents and employees.
Observes children and youth and documents developmental progression and/or concerns.
Uses the information in planning.
Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments such as programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools (as required), self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.
Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs
Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.
Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
Performs other related duties as assigned.