Child and Youth Program Assistant

Commander, Navy Installations Command • Gulfport, MS

7d

About The Position

CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth to keep them actively engaged, well cared for, and safe while participating in the Child and Youth Program (CYP). They help participants develop social skills, make healthy choices, build self-help and school-readiness skills, and explore their environment. This is a multi-level position with a flexible schedule and entry, intermediate, and target-level qualifications.

The assistant develops and implements schedules, activity plans, and events tailored to participants’ observed needs and developmental requirements. The role includes preparing indoor and outdoor activity areas, maintaining supplies and equipment, providing direct care and supervision, communicating with parents and coworkers, documenting developmental progress, participating in program evaluations, and helping ensure compliance with applicable policies and accreditation standards. Assistants may care for children and youth with special needs as directed by a supervisor and are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect under local policy.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; provide a copy of a high school diploma, GED, or qualifying college transcripts when applying.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and complete required Department of the Navy training within the specified timeframe.
• Ability to foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers and work cooperatively as a team member.
• Must complete required training and maintain certifications or credentials required by federal, state, or national accreditation institutions used by DoD CYP.
• Must pass applicable records and background checks, including required child-care checks and installation records checks.
• Must undergo pre-employment and random drug testing; a positive result or failure to submit is a basis for removal from the position.
• 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 39501 when applying.
• Intermediate level: knowledge of basic child and youth development principles; ability to apply developmentally appropriate practices, provide direct care and education, interpret curriculum or activity plans, and plan and organize; six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting; and completion of Navy Entry Level training or an accepted Army, Air Force, or Marine equivalent.
• Target level: knowledge and skill applying child and youth development principles and services, fostering effective working relationships, working as part of a team, and explaining basic program information and processes; one year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting; and one of the specified training, credential, or degree qualifications.
• Target-level education/training qualification: completion of DoD standardized training courses, or a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) credential, or a minimum two-year degree in a listed or related education, child development, youth recreation, or physical education field.
• Employment is contingent on proof of education if not submitted with the application; some positions may require a one-year probationary period.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred for entry level.
• Intermediate- or target-level experience and qualifications may qualify applicants for those levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop schedules and activity plans, including reviewing and providing input on plans developed by entry- and intermediate-level assistants.
• Ensure program plans and activities address the observed needs of individual children and youth.
• Implement activities and special events that meet participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
• Incorporate parents’ special instructions, including dietary or physical needs, into program activities and care.
• Prepare program options for children and youth with special requirements and care for those with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
• Demonstrate, instruct, lead, and facilitate planned and spontaneous activities; model developmentally appropriate practices and activity-area management.
• Promote and model safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices, and help arrange or serve appropriate snacks or meals when applicable.
• Prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials; set up displays and bulletin boards.
• Inventory equipment and recommend replacement of damaged, missing, or depleted supplies; secure supplies, equipment, and facilities.
• Establish an environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions; use approved child-guidance and youth-development techniques.
• Provide care, supervision, oversight, and accountability in accordance with applicable DoD, NAF Component, and installation policies and standards.
• Maintain control of and account for participants’ whereabouts and safety during activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
• Ensure participants depart with an authorized person according to written parental instructions, as applicable.
• Observe participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and report concerns as directed; report suspected child abuse or neglect as a mandatory reporter under local policy.
• Communicate professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel; provide parents daily verbal or written feedback and participate in conferences.
• Observe participants and document developmental progression or concerns, using the information in planning.
• Participate in program evaluations using designated rating scales, risk-assessment tools, self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.
• Help achieve and maintain DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent; support 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

• Access to Morale, Welfare & Recreation programs, including golf courses, marinas, gyms and fitness centers, bowling centers, and restaurants.
• Discounted tickets, travel options, and Navy Exchange shopping privileges.
• May be eligible for Flex with medical benefits after one year as a Flex employee, averaging 30 hours per week.
• May be eligible for conversion to a full-time position with benefits after one year as a Flex employee, averaging 35 hours per week with satisfactory performance, contingent on position availability.
• Eligible installation Navy CYP employees receive a 100% discount for the first enrolled child and a 25% discount for each additional enrolled child, subject to the stated eligibility and enrollment conditions.

What This Job Offers

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