Child and Youth Program Assistant

About the role

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.

Curriculum

• Develops schedules and activity plans.
• Ensures that 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 information that may affect the child or youth's experience in the program.
• 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.
• 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 the Department of Defense (DoD), NAF Component, and local installation policies, guidance, and standards.
• Maintains control of and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
• Supervises children and youth during daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.
• Ensures children and youth (as applicable) depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions.
• Observes program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed.
• Incumbent is a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services as prescribed by local policy in the case of suspected incidences of 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.
• Uses the information in planning.
• Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments such as programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools (as required), self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.

Compliance

• Affords assistance in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
• Affords assistance in ensuring compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs.
• Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.

Qualifications

• Entry Level (CY-1702-01): 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. 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 time of application.
• Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01): 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. 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 time of application. Six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
• Target Level (CY-1702-02): 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. 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 time of application. One (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting. Possess a minimum of a 2-year degree in 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.