Child and Youth Program Assistant

About the Role

The CY Program Assistant provides appropriate developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in one or more Child and Youth (CY) programs.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum
  • Develops schedules and activity plans, including reviewing and providing input into plans created by entry- and intermediate-level staff.
  • Ensures program plans and activities incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth.
  • Implements activities and special events that meet physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
  • Incorporates special instructions from parents (e.g., dietary needs, physical needs, or other relevant information).
  • 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 practices and classroom or activity area management techniques.
  • Promotes and models safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices.
  • Helps arrange for and/or serves appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
• Indoor and Outdoor Environment
  • Helps prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.
  • Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
  • Inventories equipment and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, or depleted supplies.
  • Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.
• Interactions and Relationships
  • Establishes a program environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with children, youth, and adults.
  • Interacts with children and youth using approved child guidance and youth development techniques.
• Supervision of Children and Youth
  • Provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with Department of Defense (DoD), NAF Component, and local installation policies.
  • Maintains control of and accounts for the whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
  • Supervises children and youth during indoor/outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
  • Ensures children and youth depart with authorized persons according to written parental instructions.
  • Observes program participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed. Acts as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services for suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Parent and Employee Communication
  • 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.
• Assessment
  • Observes children and youth and documents developmental progression and/or concerns.
  • Uses assessment information in planning.
  • Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments (e.g., programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools, self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools).
• Compliance
  • Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
  • Ensures compliance with laws, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs.
  • Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must consent to pre-employment and random drug testing (position is a Test Designated Position).
• Must satisfactorily complete all background checks for child care positions, including fingerprint checks, Tier 1 with Child Care check, and State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check.
• Must pass E-Verify employment verification check; discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations.
• Ability to sustain considerable walking, standing, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.
• 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 for DoD Child and Youth Programs.
• Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
• Positions at the Child Development Center are year-round; hours are between 5:15 AM and 7:00 PM, including some evenings and/or weekends to support training requirements.
• Must work a minimum average of 20 hours per week to be eligible for incentive bonuses.
• Starting May 7, 2025, non-affiliated individuals requesting access will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification to access CNRMA Installations.

Qualifications

Resumes must demonstrate experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) relevant to the position. Applicants are encouraged to be clear and specific when describing their experience level and KSAs.

• Entry Level (CY-1702-01)
  • 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.
• Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)

  Entry Level abilities plus:

  • Knowledge of basic child and youth development principles to meet physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development needs.
  • Ability to implement developmentally appropriate principles and practices to provide high-quality direct care and education.
  • Ability to interpret a curriculum or activity plan.
  • Ability to follow written instructions.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and work cooperatively as a team member.
  • Six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
  • Completion of Navy Entry Level training requirement (Army, Air Force, and Marine equivalent accepted).
• Target Level (CY-1702-02)

  Entry and Intermediate Levels' knowledge and abilities plus:

  • Knowledge of child and youth development principles to inform program responses.
  • Skill in implementing developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles, practices, and services.
  • Skill in promoting and fostering effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
  • Skill in verbal communication to provide program information and explain CYP processes and procedures.
  • One year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
  • One of the following:
    • Completion of 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 Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, or another field related to Pre-K or Primary Education.

Education

Must provide a copy of your high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.

• Entry Level (CY-1702-01)

  Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred.

• Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)

  Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent and six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.

• Target Level (CY-1702-02)

  Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.