Child and Youth Program Leader

Naval District Washington (NDW) (NAF); Indian Head (MD); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Child and Youth Program Leader to provide direct care and mentorship to children and youth aged 6 weeks to 18 years. This role involves planning engaging activities, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and fostering positive interactions among participants. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in child development principles and program planning, along with a passion for nurturing young minds. Join a supportive environment where your contributions will make a significant impact on the lives of children and their families.

Qualifications

• Experience in developmentally appropriate programs for children.
• Ability to lead and mentor lower-level employees effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and mentoring to children and youth.
• Plan and implement activities based on children's needs.
• Ensure compliance with DoD policies and standards.

Skills

Knowledge of child development principles

Skills in program planning

Ability to communicate effectively

Skills in mentoring and leadership

Knowledge of laws governing child safety

Education

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

2-year degree in Youth Development

Job description

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 successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.


• 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.

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


• 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.

Additional information

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.

Required Documents

The following documents are required at the time of application:

• Resume


• 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


• 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.

How to Apply

To be considered for this vacancy you must apply and complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.



The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/12/2025 to receive consideration.



To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.



To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:



Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the



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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 to ensure proper consideration is given.

Agency contact information

NDW NAF HR

Email

Address

NSF Indian Head

47402 Buse Rd

Bldg 467

Patuxent River, MD 20670

US

Next steps

Using the required qualifications of the position, a standardized rating and ranking criteria of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be used to screen and assess each application.



If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Times may vary during the hiring process, as your application status updates/changes you will be notified with a notification letter via email.



Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., Spam Blocker, etc.), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.