Childcare Program Assistant (Target): CY-1701-02

- This vacancy announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies and supercedes prior announcements -

INTRODUCTION

This is the full performance level of a career ladder. The purpose of the Child and Youth (CY) Program Assistant is to provide appropriate developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in one or more CY programs. The incumbent works under the direction of the supervisor or other qualified higher graded employee, who provides guidance on scope of assignments and assistance on more complex, non-routine problems. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved and adherence to established standards and procedures. Routine day-to-day assignments are normally performed independently with technical assistance available from the supervisor when required. Routine assignments are spot-checked; the more technical assignments are closely reviewed for adherence to policies, procedures, and instructions.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

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. 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.

CLASSIFICATION FACTORS

1. Knowledge Required by the Position

Knowledge in child and youth development to provide input to an efficient and effective program responsive to the needs of children and youth. Skill to implement developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles/practices and services to provide direct care and education for children and youth, individually or with groups of children and youth. Skill to promote and foster effective working relationships with children and youth and coworkers. Skill to work cooperatively as a member of a team. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Possesses skill in oral expression to explain processes and procedures and to provide basic program information.

2. Supervisory Controls

The supervisor, CYP Director or CYP Assistant Director, provides assignments by indicating what is to be done, limitations, quality and quantity expected, deadlines and priority of assignments. The supervisor provides additional specific instructions on new, difficult or unusual assignments including suggested work methods or advice on resource material available. The employee uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently without specific instruction, but refers deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations not covered by instructions to the supervisor for decision or help. The supervisor assures that finished work and methods used are technically accurate and in compliance with instructions or established procedures.

3. Guidelines

Guidelines are available and incumbent is expected to select the appropriate guides and to interpret and apply guidance. The incumbent may make minor deviations as necessary.

4. Complexity

The work consists of duties that involve clear-cut and directly related steps, processes, or methods. Work operations are routine and stable. Actions to be taken and responses to be made are readily discernible. The work is quickly mastered.

5. Scope and Effect

The work involves the development and implementation of plans and activities for a designated classroom. Employee provides classroom/activity area oversight, ensuring activities are carried out according to established rules and procedures. The service provided by this employee affects the reliability and acceptability of services provided by the CYP as a whole.

6. Personal Contacts

Contacts are with co-workers, community members, and parents or guardians of children and youth receiving care. Contacts with parent/guardians are frequent and are carried out in moderately structured settings/meetings, such as progress meetings, and also occur infrequently when dealing with specific problems involving an individual child or youth or problem/situation.

7. Purpose of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to obtain and provide facts and information, plan and coordinate work efforts and motivate individuals who are working toward the mutual goal of a quality CY program.

8. Physical Demands

The work requires considerable walking, standing, bending, stooping and lifting up to 40 pounds. Activities may require incumbent to drive an automobile (to include driving a government vehicle while transporting children). However, most of the work is done in classrooms or activity areas, and no special, physical demands are made upon the incumbent.

9. Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of a wide variety of child care, school-age and youth activities, programs and services, such as exposure to disease and injuries from lifting. Normal fire and safety precautions must be adhered to.

Activities are conducted in a building or outside and are suitable for CY programs. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The incumbent may be required to work and uncommon tour of duty to include evening and weekend work.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Position is subject to special inoculation and immunization requirements as a condition of employment for working with children. 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. Test Designated Position: In accordance with the Department of the Navy Test Designated Position listing issued 7 October 2003 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. Must obtain appropriate credentials as required. Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease. Satisfactorily complete all background checks in accordance with PL 101-647 to include National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI). Must satisfactorily obtain or complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by federal, state or National Accreditation institutions utilized as part of DOD’s Child and Youth Programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES:

In accordance with DoDI 6060.2, must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent. The Military Child Care Act requires national accreditation of CY programs. Minimum education requirements are required by the accrediting body DoDI 1400.25-v14-5 requires completion of prerequisite training and education before advancing to the next level with or between pay bands. In accordance with DoD, accrediting body, and CY Pay band requirements incumbents must have: Completion of the DoN Standardized Module Training AND 12 months of experience working with children and youth.

OR

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

OR

2-year degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development or related field of study, which can include Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, Psychology, Social Work, Home Economics with an emphasis in Human Development, or other degrees as appropriate.

HOW TO APPLY: