Lead Child and Youth Program Assistant CY-02

About the role

Serves as a team leader with responsibility for ensuring the program staff provides appropriate developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in Child and Youth Services (CYS) programs.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the implementation of a developmentally appropriate program that promotes the social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth of children and youth in the ages served.
• Instructs team members in specific tasks and job techniques; makes available written instructions, reference materials, and supplies.
• Develops, plans and implements age-appropriate educational lesson plans, schedules, and developmentally appropriate activities based on observed needs and interest of individual children and youth.
• Ensure staff follow health and safety standards when performing diapering, toileting, hand washing, cleaning/sanitizing/disinfecting surfaces and materials, food service, safe sleep practices, and caring for ill children and youth.

Requirements

• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Favorably adjudicated background checks are required.
• This position has been identified as having regular contact with children under the age of 18.
• The incumbent must have the visual and auditory capabilities to supervise children and youth, to comply with sight and sound supervision requirements and to provide immediate responses when applicable.
• Incumbent is legally required to report all suspected incidents of child abuse/neglect.
• Must complete all DoW and Service training requirements within the specified time including orientation, initial, and annual ongoing training requirements, and any required certifications. Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.
• The incumbent is required to have mobility necessary to ensure safety of children and youth and engage in repetitive actions such as walking, standing, bending, stooping, and sitting on the floor. Safely lifts children as needed (CDC).
• The incumbent may work an uncommon tour of duty to include evenings, and weekends, and holidays to accommodate varying program operating schedules.

Qualifications

• All Candidates must:
• Must be 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• The incumbent must communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing to communicate with CYS team and customers, prepare reports and plans, and document observations.
• In addition, candidates must meet one of the following:
• Minimum of 18 months experience working in group programs with children/youth as well as demonstrated knowledge in theories and principals of child/youth development AND Education:- Completion of DoW standardized training course OR Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) credential.
• OR
• Experience: Minimum of 12 months experience working in group programs with children/youth as well as demonstrated knowledge in theories and principals of child growth and development ANDEducation:- Associate's degree or 60 semester hours of college credit in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education; child and youth development, special education, Human Development, Youth Program Administration, Recreation (children and youth), Physical Education or directly related behavioral sciences (developmental psychology, child psychology/sociology for the family. General psychology/sociology course work is not qualifying) OR related field which includes a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group to which assigned, from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university. OR Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education; child and youth development, or special education, Human Development, Youth Program Administration, Recreation (children and youth), Physical Education or directly related behavioral sciences (developmental psychology, child psychology/sociology for the family. General psychology/sociology course work is not qualifying) or related field which includes a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group to which assigned, from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university.