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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Ensures 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

• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment.
• Must meet qualification/eligibility/background requirements for this position.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Satisfactorily complete an employment verification (E-Verify) check.
• Favorably adjudicated background checks are required.
• Position is subject to immunization requirements as a condition of employment for working with children and youth.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical and subsequent physicals, thereafter, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease.

Qualifications

A qualified candidate must possess the following: 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.

• 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
    • Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) credential.
  • 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 AND Education:
    • 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.
    • 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.

Skills

• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for enrollment in health and life insurance, participation in 401k and retirement plans, and paid personal time off and federal holidays.

NAF flexible employees, working in the United States or a U.S. citizen or spouse or child of a U.S. citizen working for a NAFI in a foreign area, are eligible to participate in the NAF 401(k) plan.

Some flexible employees may also be eligible to receive health insurance.