Child Development Center Director (Med/Large) Job in Patuxent River, MD

Vacancy No. 26-12875067 Department Commander, Navy Installations Command
Salary $102,415.00 to $124,500.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/28/2026 Close Date 2/5/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Patuxent River, MD


Summary

The purpose of the Child Development Center (CDC) Director position is to administer a large center based developmentally appropriate early childhood program for over 200 children of eligible patrons. A variety of childcare services are provided in accordance with demand and availability of funding to include full-time child development programs for ages six weeks through five years, emergency care, special needs care, annex facility, and extended hours care.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

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

Duties

Supervisory Duties:

  • Plans, assigns, monitors, observes, and assesses ongoing staff work based on priorities, difficulty, complexity, and requirements of assignments, and staff capabilities. Sets and adjusts short-term and long-term priorities.
  • Leads the hiring process, initiating timely recruitment and selection of staff required to fill vacancies. Ensures staff receives proper training to fulfill requirements of their positions.
  • Prepares and adjusts staff schedules considering the needs of the work area and the experience, training, and demonstrated abilities of the assigned staff. Ensure necessary support and resources are applied to effectively meet organization and customer needs.
  • Provides subordinate supervisors and staff with direction and determinations regarding policies, procedures, and guidelines. Establishes local performance standards and requirements for employees and volunteers. Observes and monitors staff performance.
  • Conducts annual performance reviews of staff.
  • Provides clear guidance to employees and volunteers regarding compliance with standards and execution of management directives.
  • Ensures all employees follow safety, health, and risk management policies and procedures.
  • Ensures proper and timely initiation and implementation of all personnel actions and assures quality related to selection, assignments, training, promotions, disciplinary actions, and recognition of employees and volunteers.
Program Management
  • Provides program oversight and accountability for the performance of employees and the safety of children in a large CDC with over 200 children enrolled in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Navy (DoN), and local policies and standards.
  • Establishes policies and procedures for accomplishment of age-appropriate programs to all children through individual and group developmental and educational settings to stimulate and sustain social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth of children.
  • Ensures implementation of a developmentally appropriate program that promotes the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of children in the age categories served.
  • Ensures the development and implementation of the established curriculum.
  • Establishes higher-level program goals and interprets and applies child development philosophy/principles and DoN policies based on patron needs and program evaluation and assessment.
  • Ensures the development, implementation, and analysis of surveys and needs assessments of staff and patrons to ensure appropriate programming and hours of operation.
  • Collects and maintains up-to-date statistical data for planning and reporting purposes in accordance with higher headquarters and statutory requirements and for the purpose of maximizing spaces and ensuring that resources accommodate the needs of command personnel. This may include hours of operation and programming needs of the military community.
  • Maintains liaison with local institutions and community organizations to stay abreast of trends and changes in the community.
  • Interacts professionally with employees, parents, volunteers, and local installation command personnel.
Budgeting and Financial Management
  • Conducts studies and surveys to evaluate program effectiveness and cost efficiency.
  • Develops integrated budget input, conducts written analysis of budget variances as necessary, and prepares justification for funding of program resource requirements and repairs or maintenance of facilities and equipment.
  • Oversees the collection, accurate accounting and reporting of funds received from patrons.
  • Ensures program meets established financial goals.
  • Ensures compliance with all regulations governing the use of appropriated and nonappropriated funds.
Program Operations
  • Develops, administers and evaluates an ongoing program of individual and group developmental and educational activities for staff implementation and execution.
  • Establishes review systems for the organization that make certain government needs are met and validated, and that economy and quality of operations are maintained or improved.
  • Provides input into the development of CYP standard operating procedures (SOPs) as required for the efficient operation and management of facility and programs. Oversees implementation of these SOPs.
  • Works collaboratively with other CYP Directors in establishing and implementing combined Parent Involvement Board (PIB) that includes parents and representatives from the CDC, Child and Youth Education Services (CYES), Family Child Care (FCC), School Age Care (SAC), and Youth Program (as applicable to each installation). Maintains an active program of parental involvement to include a PIB, parent education opportunities, and activities that provide parents with opportunities to participate.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
  • Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
  • Must successfully obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as needed.
  • This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. A positive drug test, or failure to submit for testing, may become the basis for removal from this position.
  • Ability to 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.

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.

  • Mastery knowledge of child development theory, methodology, and practices relating to physical, intellectual, social and special education needs and center management.
  • Mastery knowledge of the principles of child development and in designing and managing an exceptionally complex program that includes, but is not limited to safety, security, disease prevention, employee training, developmentally appropriate activities, parent involvement, and facility management.
  • Knowledge of DoD, DON, local and state regulations, instructions and procedures pertaining to military childcare.
  • Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect.
  • Knowledge of facility design, functional use, and maintenance concepts pertaining to military childcare.
  • Knowledge of financial, budget, resource management practices and principles, and analytical and evaluative methods and techniques.
  • Skill in educating, counseling, and advising childcare professionals and parents; assessing training and children's developmental needs.
  • Skill in effectively organizing and utilizing community resources within the program framework to augment the program to meet installation objectives.
  • Skill working with military families and an understanding of military lifestyles is preferred.
  • Ability to analyze, plan and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
  • Ability to supervise others, exercise sound business skills and provide positive personnel management.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, and possess strong interpersonal communication skills.

Education

A bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Elementary
Education, Special Education (concentration in ECE), Home Economics (early childhood
emphasis), Child Care Administration or related field of study and four years of full time
experience working with children and/or youth.

OR

A combination of education and experience; education must include courses in a child-related
field and total minimum of 24 higher level semester hours. In addition, four years of full time
experience working with children and/or youth is required.

Additional information

Executive Order 12564 requires a Federal workplace free of illegal drugs. According to the Executive Order, all Federal employees are required to remain drug free throughout their employment. Commander, Navy Installations Command is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated, and use of or intoxication by illegal drugs will result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal Service.

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.

All individuals involved in the provision of child care services on a Department of Navy (DON) installation or in a DON-sanctioned program must complete the Installation Records Check (IRC). The IRC includes a check of the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP) records in the Alcohol and Drug Management Information Tracking System (ADMITS) database, a check of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) records in the Fleet and Family Support Management Information System (FFSMIS), and an installation security/base check via the Navy Justice Information System (NJIS) database and/or other law enforcement systems. This information will be used to determine suitability for the applicant in accordance with criteria for automatic and presumptive disqualifiers, per DoDI 1402.05.

Per Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1402.05 Background Checks on Individuals in DoD Child Care Services Programs, incumbents will be automatically disqualified for a conviction in either civilian or military court (to include any general, special, or summary court-martial conviction or if they received non-judicial punishment [under Article 15 or chapter 47 of Title 10, U.S.C]) for any of the following: a sexual offense, any criminal offense involving a child victim, or a felony drug offense. Additionally, the incumbent will be automatically disqualified if he/she has been held to be negligent in a civil adjudication or administrative proceeding concerning the death of or serious injury to a child or dependent person entrusted to the individual's care.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

All resumes will be reviewed to determine if they meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement and will be rated based on the information provided in the resume to determine the level of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) related to the job requirements. Using the qualifications of the position, a predetermined rating criterion of KSAs will be used for each resume. Best qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews.

Required Documents

The following documents are required at the time of application:

  • Resume: two-page limit, learn more here - Resume Requirements
  • Proof of education: official transcripts only; diplomas and degree audits are not acceptable. Failure to provide official transcripts will result in an ineligibility rating.
  • Proof of training: licensures and certifications are acceptable, must show your name, licensure/certification type, and expiration date (if applicable)
  • If claiming Department of Defense (DOD) Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) Business Based Action (BBA) priority consideration: provide a copy of the notice of separation
  • If claiming Military Spouse Preference: provide a copy of the sponsor's Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and a marriage certificate at the time of application
  • If claiming Veteran's Preference: provide a copy of your DD-214, Member-4 page and any supporting documentation (SF-15, V.A. disability letter, proof of service, etc.)
  • If a current or former Federal Employee: provide a copy of your most recent Personnel Action Report (PAR) or SF-50

Note: When submitting transcripts for an Associate degree or higher, proof of a high school diploma or equivalent is not required. All transcripts MUST show student's name, the name of the awarding university or educational institution, degree type, awarded/conferred date, and the field of study (major). Altered transcripts will not be accepted.

Transcripts from foreign colleges must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency in order to be considered. Applicants are responsible to obtain and submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency which is a private U.S. organization. Credential evaluations are not free and applicants are responsible for the cost of the selected service.

How to Apply

To be considered for this vacancy you must apply and complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. When building or uploading your resume, please note there is a two-page limit. The system will restrict any attempts to submit a longer document.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/05/2026 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/12875067

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 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

DON is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, reprisal, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. The DON provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they may require reasonable accommodation(s) should email their request to usn.ncr.cnicwashingtondc.mbx.naf-hrinquiries@us.navy.mil to ensure proper consideration is given.

Agency contact information

NDW NAF HR
Email
ndwnafhr@us.navy.mil
Address
Naval Air Station Patuxent River
47402 Buse Rd
Bldg 467
Patuxent River, MD 20670
US

Next steps

Using the required qualifications of the position, a standardized rating and ranking criteria of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be used to screen and assess each application.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Times may vary during the hiring process, as your application status updates/changes you will be notified with a notification letter via email.

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., Spam Blocker, etc.), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.