Child and Youth Program Asst - Entry

Duties

The Child and Youth Program (CYP) Assistant provides developmentally appropriate care, instruction, and supervision for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years who participate in CYPs (including Child Development Centers, School-Age Centers, and Youth and Teen Programs).

A candidate for the CYP Assistant position may be hired at one of three position levels, depending on qualifications and experience: Entry Level, Intermediate Level, or Full Performance. Duties, responsibilities, and training opportunities are designed to allow for career progression in the CYP Assistant position. For the Entry Level position, supervision, mentoring, and training is provided to support the candidate’s skill development so that he/she may progress to the next level position, CYP Assistant – Intermediate Level. Similarly, for the Intermediate Level position, supports and training are available to help the candidate progress to CYP Assistant – Full Performance.

Duties and Responsibilities

The CYP Assistant – Entry Level does the following:

• Uses prepared curriculum and program materials to implement and lead daily planned activities with children and promotes a positive, nurturing learning environment.
• Helps to prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to support daily schedules, and helps to organize and serve snacks and meals to participating children.
• Ensures compliance with all laws, policies, and regulations applicable to Department of Defense (DoD) CYPs and standards associated with program accreditation.
• Assists in maintaining program participation data and completing required reports.
• Interacts professionally with all employees, parents, and local installation Command personnel.
• Serves as a mandated reporter of suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect.

In addition to the Entry Level duties described above, the CYP Assistant – Intermediate Level also does the following:

• Assists in planning and coordinating daily activities for participating children.
• Inventories equipment and supplies on a recurring basis.
• Participates in parent conferences.
• Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments, such as programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools (as required), self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.

In addition to the Entry and Intermediate Level duties described above, the CYP Assistant – Full Performance also does the following:

• Develops activity plans and schedules activities.
• Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates both planned and spontaneous program activities.
• Models developmentally appropriate practices and classroom/activity area management techniques.
• Observes program participants and documents developmental progression and/or concerns, and addresses identified needs via instruction.

Qualifications

Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A qualified candidate for an Entry Level position possesses the following:

• Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to complete all Department of Navy (DoN) training requirements within the specified time frames, including orientation, initial, Standardized Module training, and ongoing training requirements
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team

In addition to the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above for the Entry Level position, a qualified candidate for the Intermediate Level position possesses:

• Knowledge of basic child and youth development principles as they relate to children and youth’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development
• Ability to implement developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles and practices under immediate supervision in order to provide high-quality direct care, education, and supervision for children and youth
• Ability to interpret a curriculum or activity plan and follow written instructions
• Ability to plan and organize work

In addition to the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above for the Entry and Intermediate Level positions, a qualified candidate for a Full Performance position possesses:

• Knowledge of child and youth development
• Skills to implement developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles, practices, and services in order to provide high quality direct care and education for children and youth
• Skills to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers
• Skills to work cooperatively as a member of a team
• Ability to explain program processes and procedures, and to provide basic program information

Qualifications

A CYP Assistant – Entry Level must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred.

A CYP Assistant – Intermediate Level must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent AND have 6 months of experience working with children or youth in a child or youth setting AND have completed Child Abuse Modules and Modules 1, 2, and 10 of the DoN Standardized Module Training.

A CYP Assistant – Full Performance must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent AND have completed either:

Child Abuse Modules and Modules 1, 2, and 10 of the DoN Standardized Module Training AND have 12 months of experience working with children and youth

OR

A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential

OR

A 2-year degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field of study, which can include Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, Psychology, Social Work, Home Economics with an emphasis in Human Development, or other degrees as appropriate.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

As part of the application process, you must complete and submit an occupational questionnaire.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating and/or appointment eligibility.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position is Drug Testing designated
Position is represented by Bargaining Unit
Relocation Expenses will NOT be paid

Education

Please submit proof of highest degree completed. Applicants who fail to submit proof of education will be disqualified.