Child and Youth Program Assistant

About the Role

Multi-Level Child and Youth Program (CYP) Assistants work directly with children and youth, keeping them actively engaged, well-cared for, and safe while participating in the CYP. The CYP Assistant's day includes helping children develop social skills such as making friends and conflict resolution; make healthy choices whether it be choosing nutritional snacks or appropriate recreational activities; build self-help and school readiness skills; and explore the environment around them.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum
  • Develops schedules and activity plans, including reviewing and providing input into plans created by entry- and intermediate-level Educational Aids.
  • Ensures program plans and activities incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth.
  • Implements activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of children and youth.
  • Incorporates special instructions provided by parents, such as 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 serve 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 on a recurring basis and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies.
  • Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.
• Interactions and Relationships
  • Establishes a program environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with other children, youth, and adults.
  • Interacts with children and youth using approved child guidance and youth development techniques.
• Supervision of Children and Youth
  • Provides care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with Department of Defense (DoD), NAF Component, and local installation policies, guidance, and standards.
  • Maintains control of and accounts for the whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
  • Supervises children and youth during daily indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.
  • Ensures children and youth depart with authorized persons according to written parental instructions.
  • Observes program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed. Acts as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services in cases of 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 for use in planning.
  • Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments such as 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 CYP 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 be 18 years of age or older.
• Complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions used as part of DoD's Child and Youth Programs.
• Pass all applicable records and background checks, including fingerprint checks, a Tier 1 with Child Care check, and a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check.
• Undergo pre-employment and random drug testing. A positive drug test or failure to submit for testing is a basis for removal from this position. Marijuana use is illegal under Federal law regardless of State laws.
• Pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
• Employment contingent upon proof of education if not provided at the time of application.
• Incumbents must satisfactorily complete all background checks for child care positions, including an Installation Records Check (IRC) covering Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP), Family Advocacy Program (FAP), and installation security/base checks.
• Automatic disqualification for convictions (civilian or military) involving sexual offenses, child victims, or felony drug offenses, as well as negligence in civil or administrative proceedings concerning the death or serious injury of a child or dependent.
• Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.

Qualifications

Resumes must demonstrate experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) relevant to this 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.
  • 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)
  • 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 (6) 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 that meet the needs of children and youth.
  • Skill to implement developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles, practices, and services.
  • Skill to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
  • Skill in verbal communication to provide program information and explain CYP processes and procedures.
  • One (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
  • One of the following:
    • Completion of the 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 other 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. If your degree has not been awarded and/or you possess certificates of completion for DoD-approved competency-based training courses and/or a valid CDA/MSA credential, you must also provide a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.