Program Assistant Jobs in Portsmouth, RI (NOW HIRING)

Summary
CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth, keeping them actively engaged, well-cared for, and safe while participating in the CYP. The CYP Assistant's day includes helping children develop social skills such as making friends and conflict resolution; make healthy choices whether it be choosing nutritional snacks or appropriate recreational activities; build self-help and school readiness skills; and explore the environment around them.
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Duties
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The duties and responsibilities of the CY Program Assistant have been grouped into categories, including 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.
Curriculum
Develops schedules and activity plans. This may include reviewing and providing input into schedules and activity plans developed by the entry level and intermediate level Educational Aids (CY Program Assistants), CY-1702-I. Ensures that program plans and activities incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth.
Implements 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. Cares for children and youth with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous program activities.
Role models developmentally appropriate practice and classroom or activity area management techniques.
Promotes and models safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices.
Helps arrange for and/or serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.
Indoor and Outdoor Environment
Helps prepare, arrange and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.
Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
Inventories equipment on a recurring basis and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies.
Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.
Interactions and Relationships
Establishes a program environment that sustains participant interest and 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 policies, guidance, and standards.
Maintains control of and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
Supervises children and youth during daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.
Ensures children and youth (as applicable) depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions.
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.
Provides parents with daily verbal or written feedback about their child/youth or program activities.
Participates in conferences with parents and employees.
Assessment
Observes children and youth and documents developmental progression and/or concerns. Uses the information in planning.
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
Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.
Additional Responsibilities
Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• 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.
• Pass all applicable records and background checks.
• Undergo pre-employment and random drug testing. A positive drug test, or failure to submit for testing, is a basis for removal from this position.
• Pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
• Employment contingent upon proof of education if not provided at time of application.
• 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 Department of Defense for 6 months from the date of the drug test.
• 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.
• 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 the installation. (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:
Entry Level (CY-1702-01)

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to complete all Department of the Navy (DoN) training requirements within the specified timeframe.
• Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.

Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)
Entry Level abilities plus:

• Knowledge of basic child and youth development principles to meet the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development needs of children and youth.
• Ability to implement developmentally appropriate principles and practices to provide high-quality direct care and education and development.
• Ability to interpret a curriculum or activity plan.
• Ability to follow written instructions.
• Ability to plan and organize, and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Ability to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.

Target Level (CY-1702-02)
Entry and Intermediate Levels' knowledge and abilities plus:

• Knowledge of child and youth development principles in order to appropriately inform the efficient and effective program response to meet the needs of children and youth.
• Skill to implement developmentally appropriate child and youth development principles, practices, and services in order to provide high-quality direct care and education for children and youth, either individually or within groups.
• Skill to promote and foster effective working relationships with children, youth, and coworkers.
• Skill to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Skill in verbal communication in order to provide basic program information and explain CYP processes and procedures.
• One (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting.

Education
**Must provide a copy of your H.S. Diploma, GED, or College Transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.**
Entry Level (CY-1702-01)
A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Note: Prior experience working with children and/or youth is preferred.
Intermediate Level (CY-1702-01)
A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, have six (6) months of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting AND have the following:
Completion of Navy Entry Level training requirement (Army, Air Force, and Marine equivalent accepted).
Target Level (CY-1702-02)
A successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, possess one (1) year of experience working with children or youth in a child and youth setting AND have one of the following:
Completion of the DoD standardized training courses;
OR
A valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential;
OR
A minimum of a 2-year degree in degree 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.
Additional information
Conditions of Employment Cont.:
Incumbents 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. All individuals involved in the provision of child care 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.
Some positions have special requirements. Selectee may be required to complete a one (1) year probationary period. Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required. We utilize E-Verify to confirm selectee's eligibility to work in the United States.
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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.
Benefits
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