Clarification from the agency

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

1. Serves as a program specialist for Air Force Child Development and Youth programs within multiple MAJCOMs. Advises host and associate organization commanders and staff personnel on the functions and capabilities of Child Development, Family Child Care, School-Age, and Youth Programs.
2. Establishes, defines, and implements requirements for Child and Youth Programs to ensure services and operations are in line with regulatory and fiscal requirements, support goals, and mission requirements.
3. Participates in determining the need for programs/activities to support youth, school age, and family members, and in developing the installation programs and facilities to address these needs.
4. Conducts periodic technical and staff assistance visits to Air Force installations to evaluate and assess the quality of operations within Child Development and Youth Programs or other applicable sections within Force Support Squadrons.
5. Participates in working groups to evaluate existing policies/procedures and develops recommendations for strategy direction.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• Male must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• The position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft
• This position may require drug testing, and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection
• Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position
• Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period
• PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
• This is a Centrally Managed position under the Force Support Career Field
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours
• The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver’s license may be required for the position
• Employee must successfully complete training requirements identified for the position, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid
• Must have a bachelor’s degree to meet the 1701 qualifications

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

1. Degree: that included or was supplemented by major study in education or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position.

   or

2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in education, or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional course work that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in A above.

For Child Development Training and Curriculum Specialist positions with the Departments of the Air Force and Navy, and Education Program Specialist positions with the Department of the Army, the education must have been in child development or early childhood education.

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force; Child Development Services Coordinator, Child Development Center Director and Assistant Director, Family Child Care Director, Outreach Worker, and Supplemental Programs and Services Director positions with the Department of the Army; and Child Development Program Administrator and Child Development Center Director positions with the Department of the Navy; the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood emphasis), elementary education, special education, or other fields appropriate to the position to be filled. For director and administrator positions with the Department of the Navy, education in childcare administration, in addition to the above fields, is qualifying, and qualifying education in special education must have had a concentration in early childhood education.

Evaluation of Experience: Some positions appropriately classifiable in this series involve work in connection with grants or similar funding activities to further educational progress. For such positions, experience gained in an occupational area similar or closely related to the position is qualifying experience, provided such experience involved judgment of a kind and level of difficulty and responsibility essential to successful performance in the position to be filled.

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force, and Child Development Services Coordinator, Child Development Center Director and Assistant Director, Family Child Care Director, Outreach Worker, and Supplemental Programs and Services Director positions with the Department of the Army, specialized experience must have been in group child care or other work that demonstrated the ability to:

• Manage the operation of a childcare center.
• Select, train, and supervise childcare and preschool employees, family childcare providers, or other care-giving adults.
• Develop and implement child development programs, including family day care programs, part-day preschool programs, and before and after school programs.
• Work with individuals and groups to solve complex problems related to the care and education of children.

The following are examples of qualifying specialized experience for Air Force and Army child development positions:

• For GS-11 and above, experience in managing a large, complex child development program offering a wide range of services, in a variety of settings.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is experience in Child and Youth Program Specialist proficient in developing and implementing comprehensive programs that align with child development principles and regulatory requirements (AF, DoD). Adept at conducting program inspections, ensuring fiscal compliance, and optimizing resource allocation. Proven ability to analyze data, identify areas for improvement, and present actionable recommendations through concise reports and briefings, contributing to a high-quality, compliant, and enriching environment for children and youth.

NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Professional knowledge of child and youth development and education principles, norms, behaviors, growth patterns, and procedures to develop meaningful program services and establish criteria for developmentally appropriate child activities; determine requirements for program materials and equipment; and develop curriculum plans and activities which promote the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children at various ages, with a variety of needs, and in diverse settings.
• Knowledge of public law, AF policy, and DoD directives related to the area of childcare, youth activities, school-age programs, teen activities/programs, and social events for children and families, to plan and direct programs and provide administrative guidance and/or technical advice to management.
• Knowledge of Child Development and Youth Program inspection requirements, reports, and program terms, as well as knowledge of common accounting, budgeting, funds control, resale, and inventory management principles to conduct staff assistance visits and inspect assigned programs.
• Knowledge of the organization's mission and higher headquarters policies and principles applicable to financial indicators, corporate standards, and performance measurements.
• Skill in gathering, assembling, and compiling data, evaluating information, drawing conclusions, devising solutions, and preparing quantitative and narrative reports for a variety of offices and agencies; establishing and maintaining records; and managing resources to enhance accomplishment of program goals and mission.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and to communicate well with others, orally and in writing, including preparing and conducting formal and informal briefings.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

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