CYP Training and Curriculum Specialist

About the role

The CYP Training & Curriculum Specialist’s purpose is threefold: to provide comprehensive staff training, assist in monitoring developmentally appropriate curriculum (ages 6 weeks–18 years), and promote career and education opportunities for professional growth. Quality training directly correlates to high-quality child and youth programming.

Responsibilities

• Training
  • Serve as a lead participant in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
  • Develop, coordinate, and deliver a comprehensive training program that expands the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of individuals assigned to work with children and youth in Navy CYP, ensuring appropriateness for the age group(s)/program area.
  • Arrange for subject matter experts to conduct or support specialized training as needed.
  • Identify ongoing training needs by evaluating individuals’ strengths and challenges, and tailor training plans and content accordingly.
  • Coordinate with CYP Directors to establish training plans that address the full range of CYP training requirements, confirm each professional is scheduled for required learning opportunities, and ensure resources are available to support career progression.
  • Work primarily with CY Program Assistants to ensure DoD standardized courses are completed and competencies are documented as mastered within specified timeframes.
  • Provide training to CYP employees so they can ensure classroom and activity area compliance with fire, safety, and sanitation rules and regulations.
  • Maintain training records and individual development plans.
  • Prepare training status reports and recommendations for supervisors; notify CYP Directors of employees’ and providers’ training status and performance.
  • Develop programs that encourage and support the pursuit of continuing higher education by documenting requirements for completion of the Child Development Associate (CDA) or the Military School-Age Credential (MSA), and providing information, assistance, and guidance to employees and providers who are seeking college-level classes to meet their professional goals.
  • Support CYP employees’ utilization of the employee tuition assistance program to pursue higher education and credentials.
  • Develop working relationships with local colleges, universities, and professional organizations and advise employees/providers about continuing avenues of professional development.
  • Assist the Family Child Care (FCC) Director and FCC Monitor(s) with requested training supports and encourage providers to become accredited where applicable.
• Classroom/Programming Support
  • Ensure compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs.
  • Monitor and provide quality assurance for the development and implementation of curriculum, activity plans, schedules, and routines that incorporate the observed needs of children and youth.
  • Observe, review, evaluate, and modify activities and plans for appropriateness and effectiveness to optimize physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development, unique developmental needs, and experiences in classrooms/activity areas and programs.
  • Coordinate recommendations for adjustment and conduct follow-up observations as needed.
  • Provide frequent physical checks of assigned classrooms/activity areas to ensure supervision and accountability measures are implemented; support professionals functioning in single ratio as needed.
  • Conduct quality assurance checks on classroom/activity records, including lesson plans, after-action plans, medication and allergy documentation, classroom inspection checklists, temperature logs, child portfolios, inclusion and behavior support plans, accident/incident reports, child attendance and accountability reports, and any locally required documentation.
  • Ensure the quality and consistency of developmental programming, including environment, equipment, materials, program structure, curriculum, risk management practices, and oversight and coordination of activity schedules and lesson plans.
  • Review inspection and accreditation requirements for knowledge of the overall process and update accordingly.
  • Provide direction and support to CYP professionals in preparing for and completing tasks and procedures related to inspections and accreditation.
  • Advise appropriate behavior management techniques and classroom management strategies while working with children and youth.
  • Ensure best practices in supporting and responding to children and youth of all abilities.
  • Facilitate inclusion of children who require accommodations for participation in CYP.
  • Guide the Program Assistant team in preparing and implementing program options for children and youth with special or unique requirements and individual needs.
  • Monitor and ensure care for children with special needs is applied, evaluated, and modified in accordance with policy.
  • Support the Installation Inclusion Action Team (IAT) by participating in meetings and supporting the development of Inclusion Support Plans (ISP).
  • Monitor the implementation of ISPs and ensure classroom and program staff are trained on accommodations and supports documented in the ISP.

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.
• May work an uncommon tour of duty to include evening and weekend work to accommodate schedules of employees and providers.
• Position not eligible for scheduled recurring telework; management may authorize unscheduled telework in the event of weather, other base closures, or on an ad hoc basis and should be considered on a case-by-case basis IAW DoD and Navy policy.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or higher degree in child development or early childhood education and three years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth; or a combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of early childhood or youth education principles, concepts, and techniques to develop, interpret, monitor, and evaluate the execution of curriculum and age-appropriate activities.
• Knowledge of adult learning techniques and experience training adult learners.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Knowledge of the national accreditation criteria and process, the required core programs of School Age Care (SAC) and Youth Programs (YP), and the skills and knowledge to implement the Department of Defense (DoD) certification standards.
• 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 support DoD certification, accreditation, and staff credentialing (Child Development Associate (CDA), Military School-Age (MSA) and higher education) by ensuring required training is administered and successfully accomplished to meet statutory and program requirements.
• Ability to provide guidance and leadership to CYP Professionals.
• 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

• A bachelor’s degree in child development or early childhood education and three years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
• OR a combination of education and experience; education must include courses in a child-related field and a total minimum of 24 higher-level semester hours, plus three years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
• A copy of your official college transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) must be submitted when applying.