Clarification from the agency

Open to Public

This position serves as a team leader with responsibility for ensuring the program staff provides appropriate developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in Child and Youth Programs (CYP). The incumbent plans and implements age and developmentally appropriate daily activities, planned experiences, interactions, and field trips. These include a balance of CYP professional-guided and child/youth-initiated experiences that support goals and outcomes for children and youth.

The incumbent works under the written and verbal direction of the supervisor, who provides guidance on scope of assignments and assistance on the more complex, non-routine problems encountered. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved and adherence to established standards and procedures. Day-to-day assignments are normally performed independently with assistance available from the supervisor when required. The incumbent refers deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to the supervisor. The work includes numerous and unrelated processes and procedures concerning the wide variety of activities in a CYP.

The incumbent is expected to apply subject knowledge, ensure policy compliance, and use initiative and creativity in accomplishing plans, outcomes, goals, and objectives. Work is reviewed in terms of overall effectiveness and successful operation of the program, compliance with policies and regulations, and patron and command satisfaction.

The incumbent serves as a mandated reporter as prescribed by local policy in the case of suspected incidences of child abuse and neglect. The incumbent has knowledge of Federal, State and local laws governing the detection, prevention, and reporting of child abuse and/or neglect.

TEAM LEADERSHIP/MENTORING:

Explains program guidance, procedures, policies, and directives to team members. Instructs team members in specific tasks and job techniques; makes available written instructions, reference materials, and supplies. Resolves problems and conflicts or obtains information and guidance from the supervisor.

Relays instructions from the supervisor, makes activity assignments, and gets the work started in accordance with daily activity plans.

Provides on-the-job training and instruction to team members. Demonstrates proper work methods and provides work-related guidance to team members. Models appropriate behaviors and techniques for working with children and youth and continuously monitors team member performance. Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of team members, and any performance concerns. Ensures team members follow safety, fire, and fitness, health, and nutrition procedures and informs the supervisor of any compliance concerns.

Provides input to the supervisor, as requested, concerning mastery of skills and concepts. Resolves simple, informal complaints, referring others to the supervisor, and informs team members of available services.

CURRICULUM/PROGRAMMING:

Supports the day-to-day operation and programming of assigned CYP classroom or activity areas. Ensures the implementation of a developmentally appropriate program that promotes the social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth of children and youth in the age categories served.

Serves as a primary caregiver to a group of children/youth. Conducts and documents observations of children used to plan activities, schedules, and routines that address the observed and developmental needs of individual children and youth.

Develops, plans and implements age-appropriate educational lesson plans and schedules. Organizes developmentally appropriate activities based on observed needs and interest of individual children and youth. Creates learning experiences and engages in interactions appropriate for the child or youth's age, developmental level, individual needs, and interests.

Implements educationally enriching activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive, life skills, and vocational needs of children and youth using developmentally appropriate guidance techniques and appropriate teaching materials.

Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special or unique requirements. Monitors and ensures care for children and youth with special needs is applied and modified as needed and discusses concerns with the designated supervisor.

Encourages children and youth to participate in a variety of program areas/activities and provides instruction and constructive feedback to promote the development of life skills. Coordinates and supervises field trips.

Conditions of employment

• See Duties and Qualifications

EVALUATIONS:

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This position has been identified as having regular contact with children under the age of 18. In accordance with Section 231 of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-647 codified at 34 U.S.C. § 20351) and DoD Instruction 1402.05, favorably adjudicated background checks are required.

Position is subject to immunization requirements as a condition of employment for working with children and youth. Employee is required to obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases in accordance with recommendations from the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which includes the influenza vaccine.

Must pass a pre-employment physical and subsequent physical, thereafter, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease.

Must complete all DoD and Service training requirements within the specified time including orientation, initial, and annual ongoing training requirements, and any required certifications. Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma (or equivalent). Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. Be able to lift and carry children and objects up to 45lbs independently and over 45lbs with assistance.

In addition to the above, candidates must possess a minimum of one year's experience at the next lower grade working in group program with children/youth as well as demonstrated knowledge in theories and principals of child and youth development.

Completion of DoD standardized training courses.

OR

A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential

OR

Associate's degree in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education; child and youth development, or special education, or related field which includes a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group to which assigned, from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university.

OR

Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education; child and youth development, or special education, or related field which includes a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group to which assigned, from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university.

Please include MONTH/YEAR and HOURS per week for all previous work experience listed on the resume. If there is no indication of time in position, we will credit the minimum.

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.