Child & Youth Program Leader

Department of the Navy

Newport News, Virginia Full-time $25 – $26 Closes Jul 9, 2026

Summary

Incumbent provides appropriate specialized developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in one or more CY programs. This includes the provision of guidance, assistance, and mentoring for the CY Program Assistants. The incumbent works under the direction of the supervisor or other qualified higher graded employee, who provides guidance on scope of assignments and assistance on the more complex, nonroutine problems encountered.

Duties

  • The Child and Youth Program (CYP) Leader provides direct care and instruction to children and youth (6 weeks to 18 years) in addition to guidance, assistance, and mentoring for CY Program Assistants.
  • Routine day-to-day assignments are normally performed independently with technical assistance available from supervisor when required.
  • Routine assignments are spot-checked; the more technical assignments are closely reviewed for adherence to policies, procedures, and instructions.
  • The duties and responsibilities 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.
  • Models appropriate behaviors and techniques for working with children and youth.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • A complete list of duties and responsibilities will be provided at the time of hire.

Education

Completion of DOD Standardized Module Training AND 12 months Experience at the CY-II (GSE-04) Level. OR Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Military School-Age (MSA) credential AND 12 months Experience at the CY-II (GSE-04) Level. OR A minimum of a 2-year degree in Youth Development, Child Development or a related field, which can include Recreation, Youth Recreation, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Work, Home Economics with an emphasis in Human Development, or other degrees as appropriate AND 12 months Experience at the CY-II (GSE-04) Level. **Must provide a copy of your H.S. Diploma, GED, or College Transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) when you apply.** 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.
  • 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.
  • This applies to everyone, including the following: but not all inclusive: Vendors Dependents aged 18 and older Service Providers Veterans with service-connected disabilities Contractors Visitors (includes visitors in same vehicle with CAC holder) Transportation services (taxi, limo, ride share) Agent, Assist, Aid, Care Giver Letters Au Pairs, Child Care Providers What are acceptable alternative forms of identification for base access?
  • If you don't have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, you can use one of the following: U.S. passport or passport card Military ID card (Common Access Card or CAC, DoD retired ID card) Permanent resident card (Green Card) Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) Other forms of identification accepted by the Department of Homeland Security How can I obtain a REAL ID-compliant license?
  • To obtain a REAL ID-compliant license, you'll need to visit your state's driver's license agency with the following documents: Proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate, passport) Proof of Social Security number (e.g., Social Security card) Two proofs of residency (e.g., utility bills, bank statements) Please follow the link below for more information in regards to READ ID for base access: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Operations-and-Management/Administrative-Services/Base-Access/

About this role

The Child & Youth Program Leader position with the Department of the Navy is based in Newport News, Virginia. Incumbent provides appropriate specialized developmental care and instruction for children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years in one or more CY programs. The role pays $24.55 to $25.75 per hour.

Day to day, the work involves the Child and Youth Program (CYP) Leader provides direct care and instruction to children and youth (6 weeks to 18 years) in addition to guidance, assistance, and mentoring for CY Program Assistants. 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 Child & Youth Program Leader position requires. It is graded at GSE-04, which sets both the pay band and the experience reviewers expect you to document. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Child & Youth Program Leader position with the Department of the Navy in Newport News, Virginia, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.

How competitive it is

The posted pay of $24.55 to $25.75 per hour places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. Based in Newport News, Virginia, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 9, 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.

Job Details

Department Department of the Navy
Job Type Full-time
Location Newport News, Virginia
Salary $25 – $26
Pay Period Per Hour
Closing Date Jul 9, 2026
Posted Jun 25, 2026
Source ID 26-12994145
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