Lead Child and Youth Program Assistant CY-02.

About the Role

Serves as a team leader responsible for ensuring 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; provides 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 interests of individual children and youth.
• Ensures staff follow health and safety standards for diapering, toileting, hand washing, cleaning/sanitizing/disinfecting surfaces and materials, food service, safe sleep practices, and caring for ill children and youth.
• Legally required to report all suspected incidents of child abuse/neglect.
• Completes all Department of Defense (DoD) and Service training requirements within specified timeframes, including orientation, initial, and annual ongoing training, as well as any required certifications. Maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Performs duties involving mobility to ensure the safety of children and youth, including walking, standing, bending, stooping, sitting on the floor, and safely lifting children as needed.

Majority of work is performed at the CYS facility, including classroom settings, activity areas, and outdoor areas, with occasional indoor and outdoor field trips. Duties may involve working both indoors and outdoors. The incumbent may work an uncommon tour of duty, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to accommodate varying program operating schedules.

Requirements

• Direct Deposit and Social Security Card are required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must meet qualification, eligibility, and background requirements for this position.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Must satisfactorily complete an employment verification (E-Verify) check.
• This position has regular contact with children under the age of 18; favorably adjudicated background checks are required under Section 231 of the Crime Control Act of 1990 and DoD Instruction 1402.05.
• Subject to immunization requirements as a condition of employment for working with children and youth, including the influenza vaccine, per Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical and subsequent physicals, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable disease.
• For positions in Child Development Centers, must possess and maintain the physical ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs., walk, bend, stoop, and stand on a routine basis.
• Must have the visual and auditory capabilities to supervise children and youth, comply with sight and sound supervision requirements, and provide immediate responses when applicable.
• Must communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, to interact with the CYS team and customers, prepare reports and plans, and document observations.

Qualifications

Resumes must clearly demonstrate relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities pertaining to this position.

• Must be 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must meet one of the following:
• Option 1: Minimum of 18 months of experience working in group programs with children/youth, demonstrated knowledge in theories and principles of child/youth development, and completion of DoD standardized training course or Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) credential.
• Option 2: Minimum of 12 months of experience working in group programs with children/youth, demonstrated knowledge in theories and principles of child growth and development, and an 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 coursework is not qualifying. The degree must include a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group assigned, from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university.
• Option 3: Bachelor's degree or advanced degree 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 coursework is not qualifying. The degree must include a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group assigned, from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university.

Proof of education is required at the time of application. Education must be directly related to the position; general education courses do not count toward the credit total. If qualifying via DoD-approved competency training courses, you must supply one of the following:

• A completed Foundation Individual Development Plan (IDP) signed by both the employee and the supervisor/training specialist.
• A signed Foundation (or equivalent) certificate.
• A memorandum stating completion of Foundation training from a supervisor or CYS Training Specialist that contains their full name, title, and full contact information (email and/or phone number).

VLS certificates without an accompanying IDP will not be accepted.

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 U.S. or as a U.S. citizen/spouse/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 for health insurance.
• Access to on-base facilities, including fitness centers, libraries, and other amenities.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, education, and certification programs.
• Sunday premium pay for regularly scheduled employees and night differential pay may be authorized by the Garrison Commander.

This position is part of a pay-banded system.

Area of Consideration

This job is open to candidates who are in the local commuting area (60-mile radius) of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) and Involuntarily Separated Military Preference (ISMP) eligible candidates are included in the area of consideration.