Child and Youth Program Leader - Retention Bonuses

Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR); Napoli; Hybrid; EUR 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) seeks a Child and Youth Program Leader to provide direct care and instruction for ages 6 weeks to 18 years, while mentoring CY Program Assistants and guiding curriculum development under supervisor guidance.

Responsibilities include mentoring, planning activities, maintaining safe indoor/outdoor environments, and coordinating with parents and staff to support developmental progress and program outcomes.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate programs for 6 weeks to 18 years.
• Ability to mentor CY Program Assistants and staff.
• Experience in curriculum planning and program assessment.

Responsibilities

• Mentor CY Program Assistant team and provide instruction.
• Plan and implement curriculum and activities.
• Ensure indoor/outdoor environments meet program needs.
• Communicate with parents and staff and maintain documentation.
• Supervise activities and ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Child development

Mentoring

Curriculum planning

Program assessment

Communication

Education

2-year degree in Youth Development

CDA/MSA credential

Job description

Incumbent provides appropriate specialized developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in one or more CY programs. This includes the provision of guidance, assistance, and mentoring for the CY Program Assistants. 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 the more complex, non‑routine problems encountered.

Overview

Open 10/14/2026 to 10/31/2026

Location: Naples, Italy

Work site options: Telework eligible, No Remote job, No Relocation expenses reimbursed. Salary: $22.82 - $26.85 per hour.

This position includes a 6 month & a 12 month incentive payable of $1,000 and 8 hour time off award each in Retention Bonuses.

Pay scale & grade: CY 2.

Promotion potential: None.

Work schedule: Full‑time. Travel Required: Not required.

Appointment type: Permanent.

Occupations and job series: 1702 Education And Training Technician.

Supervisory status: No. Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service. Represented by a union: No.

Drug test: Yes. Security clearance: Other Position sensitivity and risk: Non‑sensitive (NS)/Low Risk.

Background check type: Suitability/Fitness.

Financial disclosure required: No.

Announcement number: EUR27-019. Control number: 888400400.

Qualified Candidates

This job is open to US Citizens that are Military Spouses or Family of Overseas Federal Employees on PCS Orders for Naples, Italy.

Duties

The Child and Youth Program (CYP) Leader provides direct care and instruction to children and youth (6 weeks to 18 years) in addition to guidance, assistance, and mentoring for CY Program Assistants. Routine day‑to‑day assignments are normally performed independently with technical assistance available from supervisor when required. Routine assignments are spot‑checked; the more technical assignments are closely reviewed for adherence to policies, procedures, and instructions.

The duties and responsibilities have been grouped into categories, including mentor, 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.

Mentor

• Mentors assigned CY Program Assistant team.
• Works with senior employees to provide instruction and training to lower‑level employees.
• Assists lower‑level employees in completing the Standardized Module Training.
• Assists the Training and Curriculum (T&C) Specialist in helping lower‑level CY Program Assistants translate professional development training into practice by mentoring, guiding and role‑modeling.
• Models appropriate behaviors and techniques for working with children and youth.
• Provides suggestions and makes recommendations to credential practicum candidates.
• Assists the T&C Specialist with recording observations and charts progress of team members' on‑the‑job skills.
• Consults frequently with the T&C Specialist for guidance on strategies to further assist team members' professional development efforts.

Curriculum

• Plans activities for program participants based on observed needs of individual children and youth. Continually reviews activities and plans for appropriateness.
• Works with T&C Specialist, supervisor, and the CY Program Assistants to implement 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. Assists children and youth with special projects, homework, and life skills.
• Recommends to the T&C Specialist and CY Program Assistants changes and adjustments to activities and plans where necessary to meet unusual situations.
• Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
• Arranges for and/or serves appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.

Indoor and Outdoor Environment

• Works with team members to prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules. Makes suggestions about improvements to the activity areas.
• Inventories equipment on a recurring basis and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies.
• Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.

Interactions and Relationships

• Encourages participant interest and establishes a program setting that 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 command policies, guidance, and standards.
• Maintains control of and accounts for the whereabouts and safety of children and youth. Ensures children and youth (as applicable) depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions.
• Oversees arrival and departure of children and youth.
• Supervises children and youth during daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.

Parent and Employee Communication

• Interacts professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel.
• Participates in conferences with parents, employees, school representatives, and local installation command personnel.
• Briefs other employees and parents.

Assessment

• Observes children and youth and documents developmental progression and/or concerns and uses the information in planning.
• Assists CY Program Assistants with assessment tasks when needed.

Compliance

• Ensures assigned area achieves and maintains standards for DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
• Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• A complete list of duties and responsibilities will be provided at the time of hire.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• This position has been identified as a Test Designated Position (TDP). The incumbent of this position will be subject to and must consent to a pre‑employment and random drug testing.
• Must satisfactorily complete all background checks for child care positions, including fingerprint checks, a Tier 1 with Child Care check, and a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check.
• 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.
• 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.
• Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must be 18 years old.

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.

A Qualified Candidate Possesses The Following

• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate programs designed to meet the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs of children and youth from 6 weeks to 18 years of age.
• Knowledge of child and youth development principles, practices, and techniques.
• Skills to apply Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Skill in understanding interests and motivation of individuals and groups in a CYP environment.
• Skill in program planning, organizing, and employee scheduling.
• Skills to provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to CY Program Assistants.
• Ability to identify and respond to emergency situations.
• Ability to train employees on variety of issues to include recognition and identification of childhood illnesses and child abuse, etc.
• Ability to develop curriculum outlines and lesson plans/guides.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing and possess strong interpersonal skills.
• One (1) year of experience at the CY‑02 (GSE‑04) level or equivalent displaying knowledge of and competency in developmentally appropriate programming for children and youth.

Education

Completion of DOD Standardized Module Training AND 12 months Experience at the CY‑II (GSE‑04) Level.

OR

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School‑Age (MSA) credential AND 12 months Experience at the CY‑II (GSE‑04) Level.

OR

A minimum of a 2‑year degree in Youth Development, Child Development or a related field, which can include Recreation, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Work, Home Economics with an emphasis in Human Development, or other degrees as appropriate AND 12 months Experience at the CY‑II (GSE‑04) Level.

• Must provide a copy of your H.S. Diploma, GED, or College Transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.

Note: If your degree has not been awarded and/or you possess certificates of completion for DoD approved competency‑based training courses, and/or a valid CDA/MSA credential(s), you MUST also provide a copy of your HS Diploma or equivalent.

Daily Operations

Daily operations run Monday‑Friday from 0600‑1800, though employees may be required to work split shifts with hours varying based on program needs. Additionally, candidates must be available for potential night and weekend shifts to support special events or youth programming.

Legal & Compliance

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.

Required Documents

• Resume: two‑page limit, learn more here - Resume Requirements
• Proof of education/training: provide a copy of your awarded/conferred college transcript(s); if degree hasn't been conferred, provide copy of HS Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• FOR APPLICANTS RESIDING IN NAPLES, ITALY:
  • Copy of U.S. Government no‑fee passport showing picture, passport number and expiration date
  • Copy of PCS Orders
  • Copy of Italian Visa
  • Copy of Sojourner's Permit (or receipt of application)
• 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
• Provide SF‑50 or Personnel Action Report: confirming experience at /GSE‑4/ Target level

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). If your degree has not been awarded and/or you possess certificates of completion for DoD approved competency‑based training courses, and/or a valid CDA/MSA credential(s), you MUST also provide a copy of your HS Diploma or equivalent. 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.

Employer Statement

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 [e-mail] to ensure proper consideration is given.