Clarification from the agency

Open to Public

Serves as a Child and Youth (CY) Program Assistant in one or more Child and Youth Programs (CYP). Maintains control and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years. Assists in providing and leading planned activities for program participants.

Performs the more routine simple child-care tasks, following step-by-step instructions.  Little or no previous training or experience is required. Work is reviewed in detail, while in progress and upon completion, to ensure and assess trainee’s progress and to evaluate attainment of training objectives and readiness for further training. Training will be of a progressively more responsible and specialized nature associated with the child-care and development operations.

These duties are performed to increase knowledge of child care duties and responsibilities and to develop skills for advancing to the higher-level positions.

Helps establish a program environment that promotes positive interactions with other children, youth, and adults.  Helps prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.  Uses prepared curriculum and program materials and assists with developing a list of needed supplies and equipment for submission to the supervisor. Helps create adult-made games and play materials (mixing paint and play dough and assembling props for dramatic plays, activities, etc.).

Interacts with participants using appropriate approved guidance and development techniques as provided by supervisors and Training and Curriculum Specialists. Interacts professionally with staff members, parents, and local installation command personnel.

Supervises participants during daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events. Promotes and models safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices. Prepares and implements program options to care for participants with special needs as directed by the supervisor.  Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.  Helps arrange for and serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.

Administers medications and basic care items to participants according to prescribed procedures and CYP medical directives.  Observes program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed.  Notes special instructions provided by parents. Ensures participants depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions.

Assists in maintaining program participation data and completing required daily reports. Provides care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with DoD Component, and local installation policies, guidance, and standards.

Completes training requirements using approved Office of Secretary of Defense and Service materials to include Department of Defense (DoD) approved competency training courses. Participates in program evaluation as required. Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable. Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CYPs.

May work a fluctuating work schedule to complete work assignments outside of the typical work hours.  Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• See Duties and Qualifications

EVALUATIONS:

Qualifications

Be 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, have the ability to speak, read, and write English, follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Be able to lift and carry children and objects up to 45lbs independently and over 45lbs with assistance. Activities may require incumbent to drive an automobile (to include driving a government vehicle while transporting children).  May be required to obtain a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and/or a government driver’s license.  Prior experience working with children or youth preferred.

Must be able to obtain and maintain TIER-1 (T1)Child Care background checks which are required for positions that involve working with children under 18 years of age. Must pass a pre- employment physical and annual physicals thereafter, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease.  Must complete all DoD training requirements within the specified time including orientation, initial, DoD Standardized Virtual Lab School Training, and annual ongoing training requirements, and required certifications. Must maintain current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid certifications.

Note:  This position is identified as a Test Designated Position (TDP).  The incumbent is subject to random drug testing because duties must be performed with a high level of productivity, reliability and judgment to prevent adversely affecting personnel safety, and causing risk/damage to government property, and/or significant adverse impact to day-to-day operations.  A positive drug test, or failure to submit for testing, may become the basis for removal from this position.

Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the applicant fails to report to the scheduled drug test appointment. Incumbents of drug testing designated positions will be subject to random testing. Drug test results will be provided to the employing activity/command.

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.

GSE-02 Level: Must be 18 years of age, have the ability to speak, read, and write English, follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent. Be able to lift and carry children and objects up to 45lbs independently and over 45lbs with assistance.

With DoD approved Standardized Module Training completion, employee may proceed to intermediate level (GSE-03, $13.32 per hour) within 6 months of employment.

GSE-03 Level: Must be 18 years of age, have the ability to speak, read, and write English, follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent. Be able to lift and carry children and objects up to 45lbs independently and over 45lbs with assistance. Must have six (6) months experience working with children or youth in a child or youth setting and have completed DoD Standardized Entry Level Module Training. Possess skills to interpret and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and practices under immediate supervision to provide direct care, education and development for children and youth.

With DoD approved Standardized Module Training completion, employee may proceed to target level (GSE-04, $14.95 per hour) within 18 months of employment.

GSE-04 Level: Must be 18 years of age, have the ability to speak, read, and write English, follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Be able to lift and carry children and objects up to 45lbs independently and over 45lbs with assistance. One year prior experience working with children, youth or teens in a day care setting is required. Six months of this experience must have been at the GSE-03 level or private sector equivalent. Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School Age (MSA) credential, or a two year degree in a related field, or complete the DoD Standardized Module Training. Incumbent must have successful completion of all required training for Program Assistant (Entry and Intermediate Level Module Training).

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application/resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. This vacancy will be filled by the best qualified applicant as determined by the selecting official.