Child and Youth Program Leader

U.S. Department of the Navy; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of the Navy is seeking a Child and Youth Program Leader to provide developmental care and instruction for children aged 6 weeks to 18 years. This role includes mentoring Program Assistants, planning activities, and ensuring compliance with DoD standards. Candidates should possess strong knowledge of child development principles and experience in creating engaging, safe environments for youth.

Qualifications

• Experience with developmentally appropriate programs for children ages 6 weeks to 18 years.
• Ability to train employees on childhood illnesses and child abuse recognition.
• Skills to apply Federal and State laws for child protection.

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance and mentoring for CY Program Assistants.
• Plans and implements activities based on the needs of children.
• Supervises children during activities and ensures a safe environment.

Skills

Knowledge of child and youth development principles

Skills in program planning and organizing

Skills to provide leadership and mentoring

Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to identify emergency situations

Education

One year experience at the CY-02 level or equivalent

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, nonroutine problems encountered.
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

• 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.
• 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 CNRMA Installations. (review required documents section for more information.)

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.