Training And Curriculum Specialist

Air Combat Command • Shaw AFB, SC

2d

About The Position

The Training and Curriculum Specialist serves as an early childhood education or youth development specialist for child and youth programs, including child development centers, family child care, school-age programs, youth programs, and unique child care programs. The specialist trains program staff, volunteers, contractors, family child care providers, administrative staff, and food service staff.

The position oversees curricula and supports ongoing professional development and continuous quality improvement through observation, coaching, mentoring, collaborative learning, training, and reflective practice. The specialist supports children with special needs or complex behaviors and ensures procedures comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other relevant laws and directives. The role also develops improvement plans, represents programs to installation and functional-area organizations, and maintains working relationships with agencies on and off the installation.

This is a mission-essential position with regular contact with children. It requires background checks, a pre-employment physical and periodic renewals, specified immunizations, and the ability to obtain ServSafe, Food Handler's, First Aid, and CPR certifications and complete required training, including applicable Virtual Lab School courses. The employee must drive a motor vehicle, maintain a valid driver's license, and undergo annual driving-record checks and initial and periodic short-notice drug testing. The position carries ultimate responsibility for programs meeting applicable accreditation criteria and DoD certification requirements.

Requirements

• Meet the basic education requirement: a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, with major study in child development or early childhood education; or equivalent coursework combined with appropriate experience or additional coursework.
• Meet the specialized qualification requirement through one year of specialized experience at the GS-07 level or equivalent; two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or an equivalent graduate degree; or a qualifying combination of graduate education and experience.
• Specialized experience includes knowledge of early childhood and youth development principles and practices, from infancy through school age and teens, and knowledge of child care regulations and policies.
• For merit-promotion applicants, meet applicable federal time-in-grade requirements; one year at GS-07 is required for the GS-09 level when applicable.
• Provide transcripts when education is used to qualify; foreign education must be shown equivalent to U.S. education.
• Be a U.S. citizen and, if male, registered for Selective Service.
• Complete the initial online questionnaire and additional assessments.
• Complete required background checks, including DD Form 2981, installation records, FBI fingerprint, and State Criminal History Repository checks; comply with required recurring checks and annual form review.
• Complete a pre-employment physical examination, periodic physical renewals, and specified immunizations.
• Obtain and maintain ServSafe, Food Handler's, First Aid, and CPR certifications and complete additional required training, including applicable Virtual Lab School courses.
• Drive a motor vehicle and possess and maintain an appropriate, valid driver's license; submit to annual driving-record checks.
• Pass initial and periodic short-notice drug testing as a Testing Designated Position.
• Demonstrate skill in developing curricula that support children's and youths' physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
• Demonstrate skill in developing supports for children with special needs and challenging behaviors.
• Demonstrate skill in developing, adapting, and delivering training to staff, volunteers, family child care providers, parents, food service staff, and administrative staff.
• Demonstrate skill in administering and interpreting environmental, program, and child abuse probability assessments.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Clearly identify duties and responsibilities and weekly hours for part-time or unpaid experience claimed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee curricula for child development centers, family child care programs, school-age programs, youth programs, and other unique children's programs.
• Create a work environment that supports professional development and continuous quality improvement through observation, coaching, mentoring, collaborative learning, training, and reflective practice.
• Support children who may have special needs or complex behaviors.
• Ensure procedures support the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other laws and directives concerning children's special needs.
• Develop plans to improve operations, correct identified deficiencies, and enhance developmental programs and services.
• Represent programs with installation and functional-area organizations.
• Establish, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with agencies on and off the installation.
• Train program staff, volunteers, contractors, family child care providers, administrative staff, and food service staff.
• Ensure programs meet National Academy of Early Childhood Programs or Council of Accreditation criteria and DoD certification requirements.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families, subject to eligibility.
• Child care discounts for eligible employees: direct childcare employees may receive a 100% discount for the first child and 25% for each additional child; other assigned CYP and FCC personnel may receive a 25% discount.
• PCS may be paid if authorized, in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations and Air Force regulations.
• Disabled veteran leave may be available to eligible federal employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level