Child and Youth Program Assistant

Naval District Washington (NDW) (NAF); Indian Head (MD); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Naval District Washington (NDW) in Indian Head, MD, is seeking a CYP Program Assistant to engage and supervise children and youth while fostering safety and development. The role involves planning activities, maintaining environments, and communicating with parents and staff to support program goals.

Responsibilities cover curriculum planning, supervision, documentation, and compliance with DoD standards, including background checks and mandatory training.

Qualifications

• Resumes must show KSAs related to this position.
• Entry, intermediate, and target levels require demonstration of child/youth development knowledge.
• Must be at least 18 years old with HS diploma or equivalent.
• Applicant must pass background checks and pre-employment screening.

Responsibilities

• Develops schedules and activity plans aligned with individual needs.
• Implements activities meeting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Supervises children/youth during indoor and outdoor activities.
• Coordinates parent and employee communication and feedback.
• Ensures compliance with DoD and local policies.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Observation

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Navy Entry Level training

DoD training courses

CDA/MSA credential or related degree

Job description

Summary

CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth, keeping them actively engaged, well‑cared for, and safe while participating in the CYP. The CYP Assistant's day includes helping children develop social skills such as making friends and conflict resolution; making healthy choices whether it be choosing nutritional snacks or appropriate recreational activities; building self‑help and school readiness skills; and exploring the environment around them.

Location

Indian Head, MD

Salary and Benefits

• $21.55 - $24.90 per hour
• May qualify for a $1,000/8 HR Time off Award after 6 months and $1,000/8 HR Time off Award after 12 months. Must maintain 20 hours weekly to qualify.

Work Schedule

Intermittent - Flexible Hours 0‑40 Per Week / Not Eligible for Benefits.

Job Series

CY 1 - 2

Duties

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.

Requirements

• 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 used as part of DoD's Child and Youth Programs.
• Pass all applicable records and background checks.
• Undergo pre‑employment and random drug testing. A positive drug test, or failure to submit for testing, is a basis for removal from this position.
• Pass a pre‑employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
• Employment contingent upon proof of education if not provided at time of application.
• 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.
• 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.
• Starting May 7, 2025, non‑affiliated individuals requesting access will need a REAL ID‑compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification to access NDW Installations. (Review required documents section for more information.)
• Must be a U.S. citizen or hold 3 years of lawful U.S. residency.

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.

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 (DoN) 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)

• Knowledge of basic child and youth development principles to meet the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development needs of children and youth.
• Ability to implement developmentally appropriate principles and practices to provide high‑quality direct care and education and development.
• Ability to interpret a curriculum or activity plan.
• Ability to follow written instructions.
• Ability to plan and organize, and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.

Target Level (CY-1702-02)

• Knowledge of child and youth development principles in order to appropriately inform the efficient and effective program response to meet the needs of children and youth.
• Skill to implement developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles, practices, and services in order to provide high‑quality direct care and education for children and youth, either individually or within groups.
• Skill to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
• Skill to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Skill in verbal communication in order to provide basic program information and explain CYP processes and procedures.
• One (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.

Education

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

Entry Level (CY-1702-01)

• A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.

Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)

• A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, have six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting AND have the following:
• Completion of Navy Entry Level training requirement (Army, Air Force, and Marine equivalent accepted).

Target Level (CY-1702-02)

• A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, possess one (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting AND have one of the following:
• Completion of the DoD standardized training courses;
• A valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School‑Age (MSA) credential;
• A minimum of a 2‑year degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, or other field related to Pre‑K or Primary Education.

Additional Information

Incumbents 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. 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.

Some positions have special requirements. Selectee may be required to complete a one (1) year probationary period. Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required. We utilize E-Verify to confirm selectee's eligibility to work in the United States.

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

• 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.
• 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.

Agency contact information

Email: (not provided)

Address: NSF Indian Head, 47402 Buse Rd, Bldg 467, Patuxent River, MD 20670, US