CHILD AND YOUTH PROGRAM ASSISTANT (LEADER LEVEL)

Clarification from the agency

Please see the "Who May Apply" section under the Qualifications section.

• Serves as a team leader in one or more Child and Youth Programs. Provides care, supervision, accountability, and developmental instruction for children and youth while serving as a lead resource for assigned staff. Monitors daily operations to ensure program requirements, staff-to-child ratios, and safety standards are maintained.
• Provides guidance, instruction, mentoring, and on-the-job training to Entry, Intermediate, and Target Level Child and Youth Program Assistants. Explains program procedures, policies, and work assignments. Demonstrates proper work methods, models appropriate interactions with children and youth, and assists staff in developing professional knowledge and skills. Relays instructions from supervisors and assists with coordinating daily activities and staffing assignments.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements age-appropriate activities, schedules, and special events that support the developmental needs of children and youth. Supports inclusive programming for children and youth with special needs and ensures staff follow individualized care instructions, behavior support strategies, and accommodation requirements.
• Monitors compliance with health, fire, safety, sanitation, accountability, and program requirements. Conducts routine checks of classrooms, activity areas, equipment, supplies and reports deficiencies to supervisors. Responds to emergencies, observes participants for signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, or emotional distress, and ensures required documentation is completed.
• Works collaboratively with parents, staff, and program leadership. Participates in parent conferences and provides information regarding program activities and participant progress. Assists with program evaluations, certification, accreditation, inspections, inventories, participation reporting, and risk management activities. May serve as acting manager during non-routine situations or opening and closing procedures as directed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

If interested in this position please preview the online application: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13082121

Conditions of employment

• This position requires satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks in accordance with Air Force and DoD policy, and a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation.
• 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.
• This position has physical lifting requirement which requires the incumbent to complete a favorable pre-employment physical.
• This position requires the incumbent to be able to obtain, maintain, and provide evidence of current immunizations this includes annual influenza vaccinations and be free of all communicable diseases.
• This position requires the incumbent to complete assigned training, to include Food Handlers certification, within specified time from date hire or assignment to position.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• The position may require the incumbent to transport children in a government vehicle therefore a valid state driver's license must be obtained and maintained; a good driving record may be required as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Open to everyone. Applicants will be categorized by preference(s) and/or priority consideration eligibilities. An applicant's eligibility will be determined based on eligibility claimed in the questionnaire and proof of eligibility MUST be provided with application by the closing date, 10/19/2026

• Business Based Action
• Military Spouse Preference
• Outside Applicant Veteran
• Spouse/Widow/Parent of Veteran
• Transition Hiring Preference

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Qualifying Experience:

Basic Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age, hold a high school diploma (or equivalent). Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

AND

Specialized Requirement:
Must possess ONE of the following:

• 24 months (2 years) of experience working in a childcare or youth program and completion of DoD-approved competency-based training requirements. Successful completion of all required Entry, Intermediate, and Target Level training requirements must be documented by the Service

OR

• 24 months (2 years) of specialized experience working in a group program with children or youth and an associate degree, or at least 60 semester hours of college coursework, including 24 semester hours directly related to early childhood education, child development, youth development, human development, elementary education, special education, secondary education, youth program administration, recreation, physical education, ora closely related field

OR

• 24 months (2 years) of specialized experience working in a group program with children or youth and possession of a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Military School-Age Credential, Army Youth Practicum, or other nationally recognized child or youth development credential appropriate to the age group served

OR

• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university that includes at least 24 semester hours directly related to early childhood education, child development, youth development, human development, elementary education, special education, secondary education, youth program administration, recreation, physical education, or a closely related field.

Condition of Employment: Must meet specific physical requirements, must pass a physical examination, and have required immunizations. Mustbe able to lift 40 lbs. or more and stand for long periods of time. Must be able to obtain a Food Handler's Certificate. Successful completion and favorable adjudication of applicable background investigation installation, state, and national criminal background checks is required. Must satisfactorily complete mandatory training as specified below.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: Successfully demonstrate in-depth knowledge of: (1) Child and youth development principles, curriculum implementation, and developmentally appropriate practices (2) Health, safety, accountability, sanitation, medication, and special needs procedures (3) Emergency response procedures, risk management, and incident reporting requirements; (4) Child abuse prevention, identification, reporting requirements, and positive guidance techniques(5)Leadership, mentoring, staff development, work assignment, and team communication practices; (6) Program operations, documentation, inspections, accreditation, and compliance requirements.

TRAINING: Prior to working with children and youth, must successfully complete the AF orientation training program. Must complete First Aid and CPR (as applicable) within the first 6 months of employment. Must complete 24 hours of annual training and retain current First Aid and CPR certification (as applicable).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume and supporting document will be evaluated against the qualifications of the position.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination has been made that you have inflated your responses to meet the position's qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

To better expedite the hiring process, we recommend including full contact information (name, address, phone number, email, etc.,) for professional and personal references on your resume.

Required documents may vary based on the eligibility you are claiming (i.e., applying as a Military Spouse Preference - MSP, applying as a veteran, applying as a current federal employees, applying as a displaced employee, etc.,). The below document(s) are required and MUST be submitted with your application by the closing date of this job announcement:

• Diploma/ GED
• License
• Resume

Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support identified the general or specialized experience described in this announcement. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.

Other accepted documents to support a qualification and/or claimed preference/priority eligibility may include:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Diploma/ GED
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and supporting documents which prove your claimed eligibility. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package to include supplemental documents may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

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