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-level semester hours appropriate to the position plus appropriate experience or additional course work) that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a 4-year course of study in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Youth Development, or other field related to Pre-K or Primary Education.
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. How you will be evaluated All resumes will be reviewed to determine if they meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. Resumes will be rated based on the information provided to determine the level of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) related to the job requirements. Using the qualifications of the position, a predetermined rating criterion of KSAs will be used for each resume. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews. 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. When building or uploading your resume, please note there is a two-page limit. The system will restrict any attempts to submit a longer document.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/18/2026 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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13109194
It is your responsibility to ensure your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Applicant
To verify or check the status of your application, log into your USAJobs account. Once logged in, the Welcome screen lists your applications, your application status and the date it was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status
The Department of the Navy (DON) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants are assured of equal consideration regardless of 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. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they may require reasonable accommodations should email their request to usn.ncr.cnicwashingtondc.mbx.naf-usastaffing@us.navy.mil to ensure proper consideration is given. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. Other 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 DoD for 6 months from the date of the drug test.
All individuals involved in the provision of childcare 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.
Non-U.S. citizens with fewer than three years of recent residential history in the U.S. may be determined ineligible for employment.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 60 days of issuance of selection certificate.