Child and Youth Program Training and Curriculum Specialist

About the Role

The Child and Youth Program (CYP) Training and Curriculum (T&C) Specialist position has three primary purposes:

• Provide and deliver a comprehensive training program to CYP professionals and others, supporting the professional requirements of their positions.
• Assist with the implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum/program for children and youth, ages 6 weeks to 18 years.
• Promote school readiness and support ongoing school success.

Responsibilities

Training

• Orient new employees to the CYP system and provide foundational information applicable across all settings.
• Collaborate with CYP Directors to establish training plans and schedules for employee and provider training.
• Arrange comprehensive CYP training opportunities, including for management, administration, food service, direct staff, and volunteers/contractors supporting the CY Program.
• Provide age-appropriate training tailored to the children and youth served by CYP employees and CDH providers.
• Execute the Department of Navy (DoN) Standardized Module Training, including initial and ongoing annual training, and ensure training supports career progression.
• Arrange for subject matter experts to conduct or support specialized training.
• Ensure completion and documentation of required monthly training.
• Work with CY Program Assistants to ensure completion of DOD standardized courses.
• Identify additional training needs.
• Maintain training records and individual development plans.
• Prepare training status reports and recommendations for supervisors, and notify CYP Directors of employees' and providers' training status and performance.
• Develop programs encouraging and supporting continuing higher education by documenting requirements for the Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age Credential (MSA).
• Provide information, assistance, and guidance to employees and providers seeking college-level classes to meet professional goals.
• Assist the CDH Director and CDH Monitor(s) in encouraging providers to become accredited.
• Develop working relationships with local colleges, universities, and professional organizations, advising employees/providers on continuing professional development opportunities.

Classroom/Program Support

• Ensure the required Navy curriculum is implemented within each CYP, supporting execution of the Navy standardized curriculum in the Child Development Center (CDC).
• Assist CY Program Assistants and Leaders by documenting observations and assessments, evaluating classroom environments, reviewing weekly activity plans, and providing additional training as needed.
• Coordinate programming supporting children and youth's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development, regardless of setting or duration of care.
• Ensure quality and consistency of developmental programming, including environment, equipment, materials, program structure, curriculum, risk management practices, and oversight of activity schedules and lesson plans.
• Role model appropriate behaviors and techniques when working with children and youth.
• Observe program settings throughout all hours of operation to assess employee competency and identify training needs for groups and/or individuals.
• Provide feedback to employees and supervisors.
• Work with CY Program Assistants and Leaders to evaluate classroom or activity area environments and recommend developmentally appropriate toys, materials, and equipment to the Director.
• Maintain a resource file library to aid employees in preparing lesson plans and activity schedules and to assist with training objectives.
• Review lesson plans to ensure they are appropriate and based on curriculum requirements; provide daily assistance with plans if needed.
• Assist in and support the development and implementation of parent education and parent participation programs.

Compliance

• Provide training to CYP employees to ensure classroom and activity area compliance with fire, safety, and sanitation rules and regulations.
• Support CYP employees and CDH providers in preparing for inspections and accreditation.
• Carry out EEO policies and communicate support of those policies to CYP employees.

Additional Responsibilities

• In the absence of the CYP Director, assume the responsibilities and perform the duties of the CYP Director.
• Serve as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services for suspected incidences of child abuse and neglect, as prescribed by local policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must satisfactorily complete all background checks for child care positions, including fingerprint checks, a Tier 1 with Child Care check, Tier 3 if applicable, and a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license.
• Must successfully obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as needed.
• Ability to 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.
• Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
• Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act; use of marijuana 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 from the date of the drug test.

Qualifications

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

• Knowledge, skill, and ability to independently manage a developmentally appropriate program for the age groups served.
• Knowledge and background of child and youth programs, including principles, practices, and techniques of child and youth development.
• Knowledge of adult learning techniques and strategies, and experience training adult learners.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Knowledge of NAEYC, COA, and NAFCC accreditation criteria and process, required programs of the BGCA and 4-H, and the skills to implement Department of Defense (DoD) certification standards.
• Knowledge of the interests and motivation of individuals and groups.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and implementing a variety of programs.
• Skill to develop curriculum outlines, courses of study, lesson plans/guides, and to conduct training workshops.
• Ability to provide guidance and leadership to employees and providers.
• Ability to identify and respond to emergency situations, including evacuations, child illness, and physical and emotional disorders.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, and possess strong interpersonal communication skills.

Education

One of the following education and experience combinations is required:

• A Master's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 1 year of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
• A 4-year degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 3 years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
• A combination of education and experience with courses (24 higher-level semester hours) in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 3 years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.

A copy of your H.S. diploma, GED, or college transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) must be submitted when applying. If your degree has not been awarded, you must also provide a copy of your HS Diploma or equivalent.