Child and Youth Program Assistant CY-01/02

Summary

This position is located at Child Development Center and School Age Center, Fort Meade, Maryland.

Child and Youth Services (CYS) Employee Childcare Fee applicable to employees working at least 15 hours per week :

• First Child: 100% childcare fee discount (all CYS employees)
• Second and Subsequent Child: 25% childcare fee discount (all CYS employees)

Incentives and Bonuses

• Incentives will not be paid.

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Duties

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• Provides appropriate developmental care and instruction for children and youth, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in Child and Youth Services (CYS) programs.
• Actively supervises and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth during daily routines, indoor and outdoor activities, on field trips, outings, and special events.
• Assists in implementing planned, developmentally appropriate activities, schedules, and routines for children/youth using prepared curriculum, activity plans, and materials which includes group and individual activities.
• Helps arrange for or serve appropriate snacks or meals.
• Identifies and responds to emergency situations including evacuations, child/youth illness, and physical and emotional needs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Direct Deposit and Social Security Card is required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment.
• A one year probationary period may be required.
• Satisfactorily complete an employment verification (E-Verify) check.
• This position has been identified as having regular contact with children under the age of 18. In accordance with Section 231 of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-647 codified at 34 U.S.C. § 20351) and DoD Instruction 1402.05.
• Favorably adjudicated background checks are required.
• Position is subject to immunization requirements as a condition of employment for working with children and youth.
• Employee is required to obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases in accordance with recommendations from the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which includes the influenza vaccine.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical and subsequent physicals, thereafter, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease.
• For positions in Child Development Centers, possess and maintain the physical ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs., walk, bend, stoop, and stand on a routine basis.
• The incumbent must have the visual and auditory capabilities to supervise children and youth, to comply with sight and sound supervision requirements, and to provide immediate responses when applicable.
• Incumbent is legally required to report all suspected incidents of child abuse/neglect.
• Must complete all DoW and Service training requirements within the specified time including orientation, initial, and annual ongoing training requirements, and any required certifications. Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Failure to achieve desired training with demonstrated competence may result in separation. Entry, Skill, Target)
• May work an uncommon tour of duty to include evenings, weekends, and holidays to accommodate varying program operating schedules.
• Duties may involve working both indoors and outdoors.
• Occasional indoor and outdoor field trips may be required.
• Willing and able to work a schedule Monday-Friday 05:30am to 6:00pm, requiring early mornings, late evenings, and occasional weekends as needed.

Qualifications

Resumes must be two pages (or less). Resumes should clearly demonstrate the applicant's relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities (KSAs) as they pertain to this position.

A qualified candidate must possess the following:

For Entry Level (CY-01):

1. Must be at least 18 years of age
2. Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

For Skill Level (CY-01):

1. Must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
4. Minimum of 6 months experience working in group programs with children/youth
5. Completion of Entry Level DoW standardized training courses OR equivalent industry training OR six (6) semester hours of college credit in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education, child and youth development, or special education.

For Target Level (CY-02):

1. Must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
4. Minimum of 12 months experience working in group programs with children/youth as well as demonstrated knowledge in theories and principles of child/youth development.
5. Completion of Skill Level DoW standardized training courses OR Child Development Associate (CDA) or Military School-Age (MSA) Credential OR 12 semester hours of college credit in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education; child and youth development, special education, Human Development, Youth Program Administration, Recreation (children and youth), Physical Education or directly related behavioral sciences (developmental psychology, child psychology/sociology for the family. General psychology/sociology course work is not qualifying)

Note to applicants: College transcripts or certificates may be required at the time of application for applicants who want to be considered for Skill or Target level.

Education

At minimum a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is required.

Proof of education is required at the time of application. Note: Education must be directly related to the position to be filled. General Education courses do not count toward the credit total.

All education documents must be in English or have a translated copy provided.

In order to meet entry level requirement you must upload a copy of your HS Diploma, HS Transcript (showing the completion date), GED certificate or proof of a college degree. To meet the requirements beyond entry level a college transcript showing course work or certifications will be required to validate the higher graded qualifications.

Additional information

Initial Cut-Off Date: 22 October 2026 (Applications must be received by 11:59 PM EST). Applications received by the Initial Cut-Off Date will be reviewed and possibly referred to the Selecting Official PRIOR to the Closing Date of this Vacancy Announcement. Subsequent referrals to the Hiring Manager may occur every 2 weeks thereafter based on management's need to fill positions.

Area of Consideration:

• This job is open to candidates who live in the local commuting area (60 mile radius) of Fort Meade, Maryland. (Military Spouse Preference (MSP) and Involuntarily Separated Military Preference (ISMP) eligible candidates are included in the area of consideration.)

This is an open continuous announcement to provide a ready pool of available applicants as needed. Applicants will be referred to selecting officials as vacancies occur.

Manual Applications:

• If you are unable to apply online, you can complete a paper application. To get started, contact servicing NAF Human Resources representative or office listed in the Agency Contact Information section (at the bottom of this announcement) to request a copy of the application form.
• Be sure to submit your completed form - along with your resume and any required supporting documents - no later than 3:00PM CST on 12/10/2026 to ensure timely processing.
• Important: Incomplete applications, including missing responses to job-related questions, may result in an ineligible rating.

PCS Costs

• Payment Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government's interest.

Allowances and Differentials

• This job is part of a pay-banded system. Sunday premium pay for regularly scheduled employees and night differential pay may be authorized by the Garrison Commander.

Important Information Regarding Access to Certain Federal Facilities:

• Access to certain federal facilities may require a REAL ID-compliant driver's license/ID (marked with a star) or an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) from WA, MI, MN, NY, or VT. See for details.

Your Application may be Considered for Multiple Opportunities :

• After you apply, your application remains valid for 90 days and may be referred to hiring officials as new vacancies arise. Additional referrals from this announcement may occur for up to 90 days after the closing date.
• This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies throughout the program. Management has the right to assign staff to locations as mission requires.

Termination of Spouse Employment Preference

• Refusal of a military spouse to participate in established recruitment procedures for a Regular Full-Time (RFT) or Regular Part-Time (RPT) position (for example, interview, and so forth) is considered a declination of employment and is a basis for termination of Spouse Employment Preference (SEP) entitlement for the current Permanent Change of Station (PCS) of the sponsor.

Discover Your Path to Success!

• Before you apply, take a moment to explore our Applicant Information Kit - your go-to guide for understanding our hiring process and making your application stand out.
• Inside, you'll find helpful tips, insights, and everything you need to feel confident and prepared.
• Click here to view the kit or copy and paste this link into your browser:

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.

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Working for Army Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) can offer numerous advantages. Army NAF employment can provide a sense of pride and fulfillment, as you'll be supporting communities comprised of military and civilian personnel, and their families, which contributes to the Department of Defense's overall mission. We offer a wide range of career opportunities, including jobs in childcare, recreation, hospitality, and more. Many employees have opportunities for professional development, including training, education, and certification programs to help towards career advancement. As an Army NAF employee, you'll have access to some on-base facilities, including fitness centers, libraries, and many other amenities.

Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for enrollment in health and life insurance, participation in 401k and retirement plans, and paid personal time off and federal holidays. NAF flexible employees, working in the United States or a U.S. citizen or spouse or child of a U.S. citizen working for a NAFI in a foreign area, are eligible to participate in the NAF 401(k) plan. Some flexible employees may also be eligible to receive health insurance.

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