Child and Youth Program Assistant

Naval District Washington (NDW) (NAF); Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 29,687 - 34,302; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retention Bonus: $1,000 after 6 months

Paid Time Off

Job summary

The Naval District Washington (NDW) (NAF) in Dahlgren, Virginia is seeking CYP Assistants to work directly with children and youth in a caring environment. This role involves developing activity plans, supervising children, and ensuring their safety and engagement while participating in the Child and Youth Program.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old, communicate effectively in English, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Work schedules are full-time, with opportunities for retention bonuses and paid time off. Join our dedicated team and make a difference!

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to promote effective relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member.

Responsibilities

• Develops schedules and activity plans for children's programs.
• Ensures program plans meet the needs of individual children.
• Supervises children during activities and outings.
• Interacts professionally with parents and employees.
• Observes children’s development and documents concerns.

Job description

Summary

CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth, keeping them actively engaged, well‑cared for, and safe while participating in the Child and Youth Program (CYP). A typical day includes helping children develop social skills such as making friends and resolving conflict, making healthy choices, building self‑help and school readiness skills, and exploring their environment.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum

  Develops schedules and activity plans, providing input to schedules created by other Educational Aids. Ensures program plans incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth. Implements activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and special dietary needs of children. Prepares and implements program options for children with special requirements and cares for children with special needs as directed. Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous program activities. Role models developmentally appropriate practice and classroom/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

  Prepares, arranges, and maintains indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials. Sets up displays and bulletin boards. Inventories equipment and recommends replenishment. Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.

• Interactions and Relationships

  Creates an environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with children, youth, and adults. Interacts with children and youth using approved child guidance and youth development techniques.

• Supervision of Children and Youth

  Provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability in compliance with DoD, NAF, and local policies. Maintains control of and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth. Supervises children during indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, outings, and special events. Ensures children depart with authorized persons. Observes for signs of 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.

• Parent and Employee Communication

  Interacts professionally with employees, parents, and local command personnel. Provides parents with daily verbal or written feedback. Participates in conferences with parents and employees.

• Assessment

  Observes children and documents developmental progression and concerns. Uses information in planning. Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments.

• Compliance

  Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation. Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CYP programs. Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety concerns.

• Additional Responsibilities

  Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by federal, state, and/or national accreditation institutions.
• Pass all applicable records and background checks.
• Undergo pre‑employment and random drug testing; a positive test or failure to submit will result in removal.
• Pass a pre‑employment physical; provide evidence of immunization and be free of communicable diseases.
• Employment contingent upon proof of education if not provided at time of application.

Qualifications

Entry Level (CY-1702-01)

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to complete all Department of the Navy training requirements within the specified timeframe.
• Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.

Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)

• All entry‑level abilities plus knowledge of basic child and youth development principles.
• Ability to implement developmentally appropriate principles and practices, interpret a curriculum, follow written instructions, and plan and organize.
• Six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.

Target Level (CY-1702-02)

• Entry and intermediate level knowledge and abilities plus advanced knowledge of child and youth development principles.
• Skill to implement developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles in individual or group settings.
• Skill to promote and foster effective working relationships.
• One (1) year of experience working with children or youth.

Education

• Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Entry Level: high school diploma or equivalent.
• Intermediate Level: high school diploma or equivalent, six months of experience, and completion of Navy Entry Level training (Army, Air Force, Marine equivalent accepted).
• Target Level: high school diploma or equivalent, one year of experience, and either completion of DoD standardized training courses, a valid CDA or MSA credential, or a 2‑year degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field.

Salary

$21.55 – $24.90 per hour. Retention Bonus: After 6 months $1,000 & 8 HR Time off Award and at 12 months $1,000 & 8 HR Time off award.

Work Schedule

Full‑time – 35+ hours per week. Benefits offered.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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, or any other non‑merit factor.