Child & Youth Program Leader

Summary

Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP) offers high quality early care and youth services in center-based (birth - five), facility-based (age 5-12), and recreational environments (teen; youth sports and fitness). Youth Director manages and oversees a comprehensive youth program and has overall responsibility of the YP. In addition to compliance, fiscal, and programming responsibilities, the employee supervises and develops a team of professionals. Learn more about us at: https://www.navycyp.org.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities of the CYP Leader 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. 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. 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. Participates in conferences with parents, employees, school representatives, and local installation command personnel. Briefs other employees and parents. Plans and conducts activities for parents in order to encourage parents to become involved. 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. 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 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.

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 the principles of child and youth development and in designing and managing an exceptionally complex program that includes, but is not limited to safety, security, disease prevention, employee training, developmentally appropriate activities, parent involvement, and facility management. Knowledge of DOD, DON, local and state regulations, instructions and procedures pertaining to military child care. Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect. Knowledge of facility design, functional use, and maintenance concepts pertaining to military child care. Knowledge of financial management, budgeting, and purchasing as it pertains to a child and youth program. Skill in program planning, organizing and coordinating to devise and carry out a variety of program components. Skill working with military families and an understanding of military lifestyles is preferred. Skill in interpersonal communication and leadership to facilitate and organize a collaborative and cohesive installation CYP team. Ability to identify and respond properly to emergency situations, including evacuations, child and youth illness, and physical and emotional disorders. Ability to supervise others, exercise sound business skills, and provide positive personnel management. Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing and possess strong interpersonal communication skills. Three (3) years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth (with 4-year degree or combination of experience and education). OR One (1) year of professional experience working with children and/or youth (with graduate degree).

Education

**Must provide a copy of your H.S. Diploma, GED, or College Transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.** Master's or higher degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, or other field directly related to Pre-K or Primary Education. OR Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, or other field directly related to Pre-K or Primary Education. OR Combination of education and experience (e.g., courses equivalent to a major/24 higher-lev