Lead Child & Youth Program Assistant, CY-02

Duties

Encourages participant interest and establishes a program setting that promotes positive interactions with other children, youth, and adults. Monitors staff-to-child or -youth ratios to ensure adequate staffing. Plans, coordinates, and conducts activities for program participants based on observed needs of individual children and youth. Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special requirements. Works with trainers and supervisors to implement activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of children and youth. Works with team members to prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules. Assists children and youth with special projects, homework, and life skills.

Interacts with children and youth using approved child guidance and youth development techniques. Interacts professionally with staff members, parents, and local installation command personnel. Participates in conferences with parents, program staff, school representatives, and local installation command personnel. Briefs other employees and parents. Notes special instructions provided by parents. Ensures children and youth (as applicable) depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions. Provides opportunities for parental involvement.

Instructs team members in specific tasks and job techniques; makes available written instructions, reference materials, and supplies. Explains program guidance, procedures, policies, and directives to team members. Resolves problems and conflicts or obtains information and guidance from the supervisor. Demonstrates proper work methods and provides work-related guidance to subordinates. Models appropriate behaviors and techniques for working with children and youth. Provides on-the-job training and instruction to team members. Ensures team members follow safety, fire, fitness, health, and nutrition procedures and informs supervisor of compliance concerns. Relays instructions from the supervisor, makes activity assignment, and gets the work started in accordance with daily activity plans. Provides input to the supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignments, performance evaluations, incentive awards, etc.

Observes program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed. Sets up displays and bulletin boards. Arranges for and serves appropriate snacks or meals where applicable. Inventories equipment on a recurring basis and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies. Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities. Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data. Uses designated evaluation materials to ensure assigned area is in compliance with, DoD, and local installation command baseline standards and metrics. Ensures assigned area achieves and maintains standards for DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent. Provides care and supervision to children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years. Provides care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with DoD, Army, and local installation command policies, guidance, and standards.

Completes training requirements using approved OSD and Service materials to include designated training modules. Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs. Acts as manager in non-routine or emergency situations for purposes of opening or closing facility when 15 or fewer children or youth are present.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidate must:
-Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.

-Be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

1. Two years of specialized experience working in a group program with children or youth plus
2. An associate's degree or at least 60 semester hours with a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group to which assigned, for example: Child Development Centers: Early Childhood Education/Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education. School Age: Elementary Education, Child Development, Youth Development, Special Education. Youth Services: Youth Development, Secondary Education, Human Development, Youth Program Administration, Recreation, Physical Education, or directly-related behavioral or cultural science (developmental psychology, child psychology/sociology, sociology of the family, gender identity, parenting. General psychology/sociology coursework is not qualifying).

OR one of the following:

1. Possess and maintain one of the following directly related to the age group of the position to which assigned:

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

Military School Age Credential

Army Youth Practicum or other nationally recognized Youth Development Credential.

2. A bachelor's Degree or at least 120 semester hours with a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content as indicated above.

Highly Preferred: Possess one year of CYPA Target experience.