Child and Youth Program Assistant

About the role

Summary CYP ASSISTANTS MULTI-LEVEL - FLEXIBLE 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; may review and provide input into schedules and activity plans developed by entry‑level and intermediate Educational Aids (CY Program Assistants, CY‑1702‑I).
  • 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 from parents (dietary, physical, or other information affecting the child’s experience).
  • Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special requirements; cares for them as directed by the supervisor.
  • Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous program activities.
  • Role models developmentally appropriate practice and classroom/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 regularly 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, supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with 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/outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.
  • Ensures children and youth depart with an authorized person according to written parental instructions.
  • Observes participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed; incumbent is a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services per local policy.
• 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 this information in planning.
  • Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments (programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools, self‑inspection materials, national accreditation tools).
• Compliance
  • Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
  • Ensures compliance with law, 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/credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions used in DoD's Child and Youth Programs.
• Pass all applicable records and background checks.
• Undergo pre‑employment and random drug testing; a positive test or failure to submit is basis for removal.
• Pass a pre‑employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
• Employment contingent upon proof of education if not provided at time of application.
• Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act; use is illegal under Federal law regardless of State laws. A positive drug test for marijuana (or any other tested drug) results in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and ineligibility to apply for a DoD position for 6 months from the test date.
• This position is a Test Designated Position (TDP); incumbent must consent to pre‑employment and random drug testing.
• Must reside within 50 miles of the chosen hiring installation at the time of application.

Qualifications

• 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)
  • All 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 and organize, and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
  • Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
  • Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.