Child and Youth Program Assistant

Quick Facts

• Role: Child and Youth Program Assistant (CYP Assistant)

Description

CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth, helping them stay engaged, safe, and well cared for while participating in the Child and Youth Program. The role includes supporting social skills (e.g., making friends, conflict resolution), promoting healthy choices, building self-help and school readiness skills, and exploring the environment through structured activities. The assistant also plans, facilitates, and supervises daily programming while following safety, communication, and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop schedules and activity plans; incorporate observed individual needs

• Implement activities and special events meeting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs

• Follow parent-provided instructions (e.g., special dietary or physical needs)

• Prepare and deliver program options for children and youth with special requirements; care for special needs as directed

• Model and facilitate planned and spontaneous program activities

• Promote safety, fitness, health, and nutrition; arrange/serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable

• Prepare, set up, and maintain indoor/outdoor activity areas and materials; maintain bulletin board displays

• Inventory supplies and equipment; recommend replenishment of damaged, missing, or depleted items

• Secure supplies, equipment, and facilities

• Create a positive environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions

• Interact using approved child guidance and youth development techniques

• Provide care and supervision in compliance with DoD, NAF Component, and local installation policies

• Supervise indoor/outdoor activities and field trips/outings; ensure participants depart with authorized persons

• Observe for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and report as directed (mandatory reporter)

• Communicate professionally with employees and parents; provide daily feedback and participate in conferences

• Observe and document developmental progression and/or concerns; use information in planning

• Participate in program evaluation (e.g., rating scales, risk assessment tools, self-inspection, accreditation tools)

• Assist with DoD certification and national accreditation compliance; report health/fire/safety concerns to supervisor

• Collect, maintain, and report program participation data; complete other assigned duties

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old

• Complete required training certificates and maintain required certifications/credentials

• Pass all applicable records and background checks

• Pass pre-employment and random drug testing (positive results or failure to test can remove eligibility)

• Pass a pre-employment physical; provide immunization evidence; be free of communicable diseases

• Provide proof of education if not provided at application

• Comply with Federal marijuana prohibition; positive marijuana drug tests result in withdrawal of a tentative offer and 6-month ineligibility for DoD positions

• Consent to testing because the position is identified as a Test Designated Position (TDP)

• Complete child care background requirements (fingerprints, Tier 1 Child Care check, SCHR) and Installation Records Check (IRC)

• Meet potential special conditions such as probationary period and Direct Deposit within the first 30 days

Benefits

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