Child and Youth Program Leader

Incumbent provides specialized developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in one or more Child and Youth (CY) programs. This includes guidance, assistance, and mentoring for CY Program Assistants. The incumbent works under the direction of a supervisor or other qualified higher-graded employee, who provides guidance on the scope of assignments and assistance on complex, nonroutine problems encountered.

Responsibilities

The Child and Youth Program (CYP) Leader provides direct care and instruction to children and youth (6 weeks to 18 years) and mentors CY Program Assistants. Routine assignments are performed independently, with technical assistance available from a supervisor as needed. Responsibilities are grouped into the following categories:

• Mentor
  • Mentors assigned CY Program Assistant team.
  • Works with senior employees to provide instruction and training to lower-level employees.
  • Assists lower-level employees in completing the Standardized Module Training.
  • Assists the Training and Curriculum (T&C) Specialist in helping lower-level CY Program Assistants translate professional development training into practice by mentoring, guiding, and role-modeling.
  • Models appropriate behaviors and techniques for working with children and youth.
  • Provides suggestions and recommendations to credential practicum candidates.
  • Assists the T&C Specialist with recording observations and charts progress of team members' on-the-job skills.
  • Consults frequently with the T&C Specialist for guidance on strategies to further assist team members' professional development.
• Curriculum
  • Plans activities for program participants based on observed needs of individual children and youth.
  • Reviews activities and plans for appropriateness.
  • Works with the T&C Specialist, supervisor, and CY Program Assistants to implement activities and special events that meet physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
  • Incorporates special instructions from parents, such as dietary needs, physical needs, or other relevant information.
  • Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special requirements.
  • Assists with special projects, homework, and life skills.
  • Recommends changes and adjustments to activities and plans to the T&C Specialist and CY Program Assistants.
  • Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
  • Arranges for and/or serves appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
• Indoor and Outdoor Environment
  • Works with team members to prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials.
  • Makes suggestions for improvements to activity areas.
  • Inventories equipment and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, or depleted supplies.
  • Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.
• Interactions and Relationships
  • Encourages 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 Department of Defense (DoD), NAF Component, and local installation policies.
  • Maintains control of and accounts for the whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
  • Ensures children and youth depart with authorized persons according to written parental instructions.
  • Oversees arrival and departure of children and youth.
  • Supervises children and youth during indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events.
• Parent and Employee Communication
  • Interacts professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel.
  • Participates in conferences with parents, employees, school representatives, and local installation command personnel.
  • Briefs other employees and parents as needed.
• Assessment
  • Observes children and youth and documents developmental progression and/or concerns for planning purposes.
  • Assists CY Program Assistants with assessment tasks when needed.
• Compliance
  • Ensures assigned area achieves and maintains standards for DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
  • Ensures compliance with laws, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Resumes must include information demonstrating experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) relevant to this position. A qualified candidate possesses:

• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate programs for children and youth (6 weeks to 18 years).
• Knowledge of child and youth development principles, practices, and techniques.
• Skills to apply Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Skill in understanding interests and motivation of individuals and groups in a CYP environment.
• Skill in program planning, organizing, and employee scheduling.
• Skills to provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to CY Program Assistants.
• Ability to identify and respond to emergency situations.
• Ability to train employees on issues such as recognition and identification of childhood illnesses and child abuse.
• Ability to develop curriculum outlines and lesson plans/guides.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, with strong interpersonal skills.
• One year of experience at the CY-02 (GSE-04) level or equivalent, demonstrating competency in developmentally appropriate programming for children and youth.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience combinations:

• Option 1: Completion of DOD Standardized Module Training AND 12 months of experience at the CY-II (GSE-04) level.
  • Must include a copy of the completed module training transcript and resume reflecting 12 months of experience.
• Option 2: Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential AND 12 months of experience at the CY-II (GSE-04) level.
  • Must include a copy of the CDA or MSA certificate and resume reflecting 12 months of experience.
• Option 3: A minimum of a 2-year degree in Youth Development, Child Development, or a related field (e.g., Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary/Secondary Education, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Work, or Home Economics with an emphasis in Human Development) AND 12 months of experience at the CY-II (GSE-04) level.
  • Must include a copy of the conferred degree or transcripts and resume reflecting 12 months of experience.

All candidates must provide a copy of their high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when applying. If your degree has not been awarded, you must also provide a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.

Additional Information

• This position requires a Federal workplace free of illegal drugs per Executive Order 12564. Use of illegal drugs, including marijuana (regardless of State laws), will result in penalties up to removal from Federal service and ineligibility to apply for Department of Defense positions for 6 months.
• All individuals providing child care services on a Department of Navy (DON) installation or in a DON-sanctioned program must complete an Installation Records Check (IRC), including checks of the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP), Family Advocacy Program (FAP), and installation security/base checks.
• Automatic disqualification applies for convictions (civilian or military) of sexual offenses, criminal offenses involving a child victim, or felony drug offenses. Negligence in a civil or administrative proceeding concerning the death or serious injury of a child or dependent person also results in disqualification.