The duties and responsibilities of the CY 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.

Conditions of employment

• These positions are subject to background check and pre-employment drug and medical screenings in accordance with federal regulations.
• Incumbent may be assigned to work at various Child & Youth Centers as needed within NAS Whidbey Island.
• The work requires considerable walking, standing, bending, stooping and lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to favorably pass pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease and ability to favorably pass pre-employment drug screening.

Qualifications

Must provide proof of High School Diploma/Transcripts or equivalent, and any additional education, certification, and or training as required prior to placement.

GSE-02 – Entry Level:  The primary function of this position is to serve as a trainee assisting higher-level employees to provide appropriate developmental care and instruction for children in the Child Development Center. Applicant must be 18 years of age at the time of appointment and be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED).  Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and successfully pass the required security and health checks.

GSE 03 – Intermediate Level:  The grade level of this position represents the intermediate level for childcare positions. Performs many difficult childcare tasks using training and experience. Training will be of a progressively responsible and specialized nature associated with the childcare and development operations. In addition to meeting the requirements of the GSE-02, applicant must have six (6) months experience working with children or youth in a child or youth setting AND completion of child abuse modules and modules 1-3 of the Department of the Navy (DON) Standardized Module Training. Knowledge of basic child and youth development principles as they relate to children and youth’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. Ability to plan and organize work and to interpret a curriculum or activity plan and follow written instructions.

GSE-04 – Target Level:  Must possess one of the following:  A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School Age (MSA) credential OR completion of the DON Standardized Module Training AND 12 months of experience working with children and youth OR a 2 year degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field of study. Note: If the incumbent is hired at the GSE04 target position, the incumbent must complete the Navy module program within 18 months.

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 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.