Child and Youth Program Assistant

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 schedules and activity plans developed by entry-level 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 special 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 practice 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 and 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, using this information 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 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 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.
• 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.
• Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, and use is illegal under Federal law regardless of State laws. A positive drug test result for marijuana (or any other drug tested for) will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and ineligibility to apply for a position within the Department of Defense for 6 months.
• Must reside within 50 miles of the chosen hiring installation at the time of application.
• 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 in civilian or military court (including non-judicial punishment) for sexual offenses, criminal offenses involving a child victim, or felony drug offenses. Also disqualified if found negligent in a civil adjudication or administrative proceeding concerning the death or serious injury of a child or dependent person.

Qualifications

Resumes must include information demonstrating experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as they relate to this position.

• 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 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 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 year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
  • 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 H.S. Diploma, GED, or College Transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.