Duties
The duties and responsibilities of the Child and Youth Program Assistant have been grouped into categories, including curriculum, indoor and outdoor environment, interactions and relationships, supervision of children and youth, parent and employee communication, assessment, compliance, and additional responsibilities. Each is described below.
Curriculum
Develops schedules and activity plans. This may include reviewing and providing input into schedules and activity plans developed by the entry level and intermediate level Educational Aids (CY Program Assistants), CY-1702-I. Ensures that program plans and activities incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth.
Implements activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of children and youth. Incorporates special instructions provided by parents such as special dietary needs, physical needs, or other information that may affect the child or youth's experience in the program.
Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special requirements. Cares for children and youth with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous program activities.
Role models developmentally appropriate practice and classroom or activity area management techniques.
Promotes and models safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices.
Helps arrange for and/or serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
Indoor and Outdoor Environment
Helps prepare, arrange and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.
Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
Inventories equipment on a recurring basis and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies.
Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.
Interactions and Relationships
Establishes a program environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with other children, youth and adults.
Interacts with children and youth using approved child guidance and youth development techniques.
Supervision of Children and Youth
Provides care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with the Department of Defense (DoD), NAF Component, and local installation policies, guidance, and standards.
Maintains control of and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
Supervises children and youth during daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensures children and youth (as applicable) depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions.
Observes program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed. Incumbent is a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services as prescribed by local policy in the case of suspected incidences of child abuse and neglect.
Parent and Employee Communication
Interacts professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel.
Provides parents with daily verbal or written feedback about their child/youth or program activities.
Participates in conferences with parents and employees.
Assessment
Observes children and youth and documents developmental progression and/or concerns. Uses the information in planning.
Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments such as programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools (as required), self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.
Compliance
Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.
Additional Responsibilities
Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Complete required training certificates, and maintain certifications or credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions used as part of DoD's Child and Youth Programs.
- Pass all applicable records and background checks.
- Undergo pre-employment and random drug testing. A positive drug test, or failure to submit for testing, is a basis for removal from this position.
- Pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
- Employment contingent upon proof of education if not provided at time of application.
- Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act and therefore use of marijuana is illegal under Federal law regardless of State laws.
- A positive drug test result for marijuana (or any other drug tested for) will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and ineligibility to apply for a position within the Department of Defense for 6 months from the date of the drug test.
- This position has been identified as a Test Designated Position (TDP). The incumbent of this position will be subject to and must consent to a pre-employment and random drug testing.
- Must meet Federal Employment suitability requirements and successful completion of background investigation. Background investigations are conducted using fingerprint identification and completion of background inquiry forms.
- Must successfully pass the E-verify employment verification check. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
- You must go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9.
- Must have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- ***As of May 7, 2025, The REAL ID act requires visitors to have a REAL ID or passport to access to Government Facilities. This will be a requirement for employment.
Qualifications
Resumes must include information which demonstrates experience and knowledge, skills, and ability (KSAs) as they relate to this position. Applicants are encouraged to be clear and specific when describing their experience level and KSAs.
A qualified candidate possesses the following:
Entry Level (CY-1702-01)
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Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
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Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
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Ability to complete all Department of the Navy (DoN) training requirements within the specified timeframe.
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Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
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Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)
Entry Level abilities plus:
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Knowledge of basic child and youth development principles to meet the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development needs of children and youth.
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Ability to implement developmentally appropriate principles and practices to provide high-quality direct care and education and development.
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Ability to interpret a curriculum or activity plan.
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Ability to follow written instructions.
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Ability to plan and organize, and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
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Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
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Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
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Six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
Target Level (CY-1702-02)
Entry and Intermediate Levels' knowledge and abilities plus:
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Knowledge of child and youth development principles in order to appropriately inform the efficient and effective program response to meet the needs of children and youth.
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Skill 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, either individually or within groups.
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Skill to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
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Skill to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
- Skill in verbal communication in order to provide basic program information and explain CYP processes and procedures.
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One (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.
Education
**Must provide a copy of your H.S. Diploma, GED, or College Transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.**
Entry Level (CY-1702-01)
A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Note: Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred.
Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)
A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, have six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting AND have the following:
Completion of Navy Entry Level training requirement (Army, Air Force, and Marine equivalent accepted).
Target Level (CY-1702-02)
A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, possess one (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting AND have one of the following:
Completion of the DoD standardized training courses;
OR
A valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential;
OR
A minimum of a 2-year degree in degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, or other field related to Pre-K or Primary Education.
Note: If your degree has not been awarded and/or you possess certificates of completion for DoD approved competency-based training courses, and/or a valid CDA/MSA credential(s), you MUST also provide a copy of your HS Diploma or equivalent.
How to Apply
To begin the process, click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USA JOBS account.
Application process is submitted through your USA JOBS account. Resumes/ Applications received other than by USA JOBS will be destroyed and will not be considered.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify all the information in their resume and documents; HR will not modify documents submitted by an applicant. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in the resume.
Qualifications must be clearly verifiable in your resume. Government positions must include pay plan, series, grade, to and from dates, and government agency/department.
Where a first cut-off date is indicated, a selection may be made from the resumes/applications received as of the specified first cut-off date. Completed applications (resume, supporting documentation, etc.) must be received by 11:59pm Eastern Time on the cut-off/closing date. If more than one resume is received, only the last resume received will be reviewed.
Please see the "REQUIRED DOCUMENTS" section and review the applicant checklist link to determine if there are other documents you are required to submit. You must submit all required documentation or you will not be considered for the position. Failure to submit all the required documentation may result in not be considered for the position.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/26/2025 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12734361
It is your responsibility to ensure your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Applicant
To verify or check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account. Once logged in, the Welcome screen lists your applications, your application status and the date it was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status
Next steps
All applicants will be notified regarding their status by email. Applicants will either be contacted by email for an interview or sent an email of non-selection 3-6 weeks after the announcement closing date. Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that communication is performed via email if you do not read your email, provide an inaccurate email address and/ or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.