Child and Youth Program Assistant - May be eligible for 1000.00 Incentive at 6 mo. and 1 year

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.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum
  • Develops schedules and activity plans, including reviewing and providing input into schedules and activity plans developed by entry-level and intermediate 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 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 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 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 of illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed. 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 such as programmatic rating scales and risk assessment 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.
• Pass all applicable records and background checks, including fingerprint checks, Tier 1 with Child Care check, and 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 use is illegal under Federal law; a positive drug test result for marijuana (or any other drug) will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and ineligibility to apply for a DoD position for 6 months.
• This position is a Test Designated Position (TDP); incumbents must consent to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• 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 the installation.

Qualifications

Resumes must demonstrate experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) relevant to this position. Applicants should clearly describe 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.
• 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 and practices.
  • 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.
  • One year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.

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)
  • 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)
  • At least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, six months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting, and completion of Navy Entry Level training (or Army, Air Force, or Marine equivalent).
• Target Level (CY-1702-02)
  • At least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, one year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting, and 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 a related field.
  • If your degree has not been awarded and/or you possess certificates of completion for DoD-approved competency-based training, you must also provide a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.

Additional Information

• Incumbents 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.
• All individuals involved in child care services on a DoD installation must complete the Installation Records Check (IRC), including checks of SARP, FAP, and installation security/base records.
• Automatic disqualification for convictions in civilian or military court (including non-judicial punishment) for sexual offenses, crimes involving child victims, or felony drug offenses. Also disqualified if found negligent in a civil or administrative proceeding concerning the death or serious injury of a child or dependent.
• Some positions may require a one-year probationary period.
• Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
• E-Verify is used to confirm selectee’s eligibility.