CYP Child and Youth Program Assistant (Multi-Level)
Department of the Navy
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.
Duties
- 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.
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.
Required Documents
Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:
- All transcripts MUST show student's name, the name of the awarding university or educational institution, degree type, awarded/conferred date, and the field of study (major).
- 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.
- Altered transcripts will not be accepted.
- Transcripts from foreign colleges must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency in order to be considered.
- Applicants are responsible to obtain and submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency which is a private U.S. organization.
- Credential evaluations are not free and applicants are responsible for the cost of the selected service.
- Foreign high school transcripts or diplomas do not require credential evaluation but must be in English or a certified translation.
About this role
The CYP Child and Youth Program Assistant (Multi-Level) position with the Department of the Navy is based in Point Loma Complex, San Diego, California. CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth, keeping them actively engaged, well-cared for, and safe while participating in the CYP. The role pays $45,429 to $57,052 per year.
Day to day, the work involves 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. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what child and youth care experience this CYP Child and Youth Program Assistant (Multi-Level) position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this CYP Child and Youth Program Assistant (Multi-Level) position with the Department of the Navy in Point Loma Complex, San Diego, California, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
The posted pay of $45,429 to $57,052 per year places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. As an entry or assistant-level position, it is a realistic starting point, and gaining federal status here can open doors to higher-graded roles later. Based in Point Loma Complex, San Diego, California, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 23, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
