CYP Child and Youth Program Leader

Provides specialized developmental care and instruction for children and youth ages 6 weeks to 18 years in Child and Youth Programs (CYP), including guidance, assistance, and mentoring for CYP Assistants.

Responsibilities

• Mentor
  • Mentors assigned CYP Assistant team.
  • Works with senior employees to provide instruction and training to lower-level employees.
  • Assists lower-level employees in completing Standardized Module Training.
  • Assists the Training and Curriculum (T&C) Specialist in translating 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 charting 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 based on observed needs of individual children and youth.
  • Reviews activities and plans for appropriateness.
  • Works with T&C Specialist, supervisor, and CYP Assistants to implement activities and special events meeting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.
  • Incorporates special instructions from parents (e.g., dietary needs, physical needs).
  • Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special requirements.
  • Assists with special projects, homework, and life skills.
  • Recommends changes to activities and plans to meet unusual situations.
  • Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
  • Arranges for and/or serves appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
• Indoor and Outdoor Environment
  • Prepares, arranges, and maintains indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.
  • Makes suggestions about 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 using approved child guidance and youth development techniques.
• Supervision of Children and Youth
  • Provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability in compliance with 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 during daily indoor/outdoor activities and on 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.
• Assessment
  • Observes children and youth, documents developmental progression or concerns, and uses information in planning.
  • Assists CYP Assistants with assessment tasks.
• Compliance
  • Ensures assigned area achieves and maintains standards for DoD certification and national accreditation.
  • Ensures compliance with laws, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CYP programs.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions.
• Undergo pre-employment and random drug testing; a positive test or refusal to submit is grounds for removal.
• Pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations.
• Employment contingent upon proof of education if not provided at time of application.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check; discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
• Must meet federal suitability requirements, including a successful background investigation.

Qualifications

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

• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate programs for children and youth ages 6 weeks to 18 years.
• Knowledge of child and youth development principles, practices, and techniques.
• Skills to apply Federal and State laws governing 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 CYP Assistants.
• Ability to identify and respond to emergency situations.
• Ability to train employees on issues such as recognition 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.

Education

Must provide a copy of one of the following:

• High school diploma, GED, or college transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred).
• Completion of DoD Standardized Module Training and high school diploma or equivalent (or higher degree).
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential and high school diploma or equivalent (or higher degree).
• Associate or higher 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.

If your degree has not been awarded and/or you possess certificates of completion for DoD-approved competency-based training courses and/or a valid CDA/MSA credential, you must also provide a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.