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 applicable laws and directives. The role develops plans to improve operations, address identified deficiencies, and enhance developmental programs and services, and represents the programs in dealings with installation and functional-area organizations and on- and off-installation agencies.

This is a mission-essential, mission-critical position with regular contact with children. It requires background checks, a pre-employment physical and periodic renewal, specified immunizations, required certifications and training, and operation of a motor vehicle. The employee must maintain an appropriate valid driver's license and is subject to annual driving-record checks and initial and periodic short-notice drug testing. The position has ultimate responsibility for programs meeting applicable accreditation and DoD certification requirements.

Requirements

• Successful completion of 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 education combined with appropriate experience or additional coursework.
• At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade, GS-07, or equivalent, in early childhood and youth development and child care regulation; or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or an eligible combination of graduate education and experience.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable federal time-in-grade requirements; one year at GS-07 is required for the GS-09 level when TIG applies.
• Professional knowledge of early childhood and youth development principles, theories, concepts, practices, and methodologies, from infancy through school age, youth, and teens.
• Knowledge of child care regulation requirements and policies.
• Skill in developing curricula that support children's and youths' physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
• Skill in developing supports for children with special needs and challenging behaviors.
• Skill in developing, adapting, and providing training to staff, volunteers, family child care providers, parents, food service staff, and administrative staff.
• Skill in administering and interpreting environmental, program, and child abuse probability assessments.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• U.S. citizenship is required; males must be registered for Selective Service where applicable.
• Must complete the initial online questionnaire and additional assessments.
• Must complete applicable Virtual Lab School courses and obtain ServSafe, Food Handler's, First Aid, and CPR certifications, along with additional required training.
• Must undergo required background checks, including installation records, FBI fingerprint, and state criminal history checks, with specified renewals and annual review of DD Form 2981.
• Must complete a pre-employment physical examination, renew it at least every three years, and receive specified immunizations.
• Must operate a motor vehicle and possess and maintain an appropriate valid driver's license; annual driving record checks apply.
• Must pass initial and periodic short-notice drug testing as a Testing Designated Position.
• Must submit transcripts when using education to qualify; foreign education must be supported by evidence of U.S. equivalency.
• Must meet qualification requirements for the GS-1701 occupational series.

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 ongoing 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 pertaining to children with special needs.
• Develop plans to improve overall 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

• Eligible child and youth program and family child care personnel may receive childcare discounts: eligible direct childcare employees receive a 100% discount for the first child and 25% for each additional child; other assigned CYP and FCC personnel are eligible for a 25% discount.
• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility based on position type.

What This Job Offers

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