Child and Youth Program Assistant

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Kingsville, TX

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 abilities, school readiness, and exploration of their environment. The role involves planning and facilitating activities that address participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs, including accommodating individual and special requirements. Assistants prepare and maintain indoor and outdoor activity spaces, build positive relationships with participants and families, and supervise children and youth during routine activities, outings, and special events. They observe and document development, communicate with parents and coworkers, contribute to program evaluations, and help ensure compliance with applicable Department of Defense and local policies. The position may be filled at entry, intermediate, or target levels, with level-specific experience, training, and credential requirements.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
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 pass applicable records and background checks, including required child-care checks and fingerprint checks.
Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing and consent to testing; a positive result or failure to submit for testing is grounds for removal.
Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations.
Must reside within 50 miles of 78363 at the time of applying.
Must provide proof of education if it was not provided with the application.
Entry level: High school diploma or equivalent; ability to foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers and work cooperatively as a team member.
Intermediate level: Entry-level abilities plus knowledge of basic child and youth development, ability to apply developmentally appropriate practices and interpret activity plans, and at least six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
Intermediate level: Completion of Navy Entry Level training, or an accepted Army, Air Force, or Marine equivalent.
Target level: Entry- and intermediate-level knowledge and abilities, including skill in applying child and youth development principles and providing basic program information, plus at least one year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
Target level: Must have completed DoD standardized training courses, hold a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) credential, or have a qualifying two-year degree in a listed or related education or youth-development field.
Must complete applicable child-care background checks, including a Tier 1 with Child Care check, State Criminal History Repository check, and Installation Records Check.
Certain convictions or findings of negligence involving the death of or serious injury to a child or dependent person result in automatic disqualification, as described in the posting.
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 meet employment eligibility requirements; the employer uses E-Verify.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Develop schedules and activity plans, including reviewing or contributing to plans developed by other assistants.
Ensure program plans and activities address the observed needs of individual children and youth.
Implement activities and special events that support participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
Incorporate parents’ special instructions, including dietary or physical needs, and prepare program options for participants with special requirements.
Care for children and youth with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
Demonstrate, instruct, lead, and facilitate planned and spontaneous activities.
Model developmentally appropriate practices and classroom or activity-area management techniques.
Promote and model safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices; help arrange or serve snacks and meals where applicable.
Prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials; set up displays and bulletin boards.
Inventory equipment and recommend replenishment of damaged, missing, or depleted supplies; secure supplies, equipment, and facilities.
Establish an environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions.
Interact with children and youth using approved child-guidance and youth-development techniques.
Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability in accordance with applicable DoD, NAF Component, and local installation policies and standards.
Maintain control of and account for participants’ whereabouts and safety during activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensure children and youth depart with authorized persons in accordance with written parental instructions.
Observe participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and report concerns as directed; serve as a mandatory reporter under local policy.
Interact professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel; provide parents daily verbal or written feedback and participate in conferences.
Observe children and youth, document developmental progress or concerns, and use that information in planning.
Participate in program evaluation using designated rating scales, risk-assessment tools, self-inspection materials, and accreditation tools.
Assist with achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations, and notify the supervisor of health, fire, or safety concerns.
Collect, maintain, and report program participation data.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Annual leave: 13 days per calendar year.
Sick leave: 13 days per calendar year.
11 paid holidays per year.
Medical insurance, including vision, and dental insurance, with immediate enrollment and coverage available.
NAF Retirement Plan.
401(k) Savings Investment Plan with employer match up to 3%.
Basic life insurance with optional life and spouse/dependent coverage.
Medical savings account (FSA).
Long-term disability coverage.
Access to Morale, Welfare & Recreation programs and facilities, including golf courses, marinas, gyms and fitness centers, bowling centers, restaurants, discounted tickets and travel options, and Navy Exchange shopping privileges.
Discounted daycare.