CHILD DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST-DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Description:

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The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Headquarters, Field Operating Agency (FOA), Child Development and Youth Programs Specialist recommending policy, standards, and performing staff work which leads to the effective management of various programs within the Child Development, Family Child Care, School-Age, and Youth Programs at Air Force installations.

Requirements:

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

1. Degree: that included or was supplemented by major study in education or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position.

   or

2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in education, or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional course work that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in A above.

For Child Development Training and Curriculum Specialist positions with the Departments of the Air Force and Navy, and Education Program Specialist positions with the Department of the Army, the education must have been in child development or early childhood education.

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force; Child Development Services Coordinator, Child Development Center Director and Assistant Director, Family Child Care Director, Outreach Worker, and Supplemental Programs and Services Director positions with the Department of the Army; and Child Development Program Administrator and Child Development Center Director positions with the Department of the Navy; the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood emphasis), elementary education, special education, or other fields appropriate to the position to be filled. For director and administrator positions with the Department of the Navy, education in childcare administration, in addition to the above fields, is qualifying, and qualifying education in special education must have had a concentration in early childhood education.

Evaluation of Experience: Some positions appropriately classifiable in this series involve work in connection with grants or similar funding activities to further educational progress. For such positions, experience gained in an occupational area similar or closely related to the position is qualifying experience, provided such experience involved judgment of a kind and level of difficulty and responsibility essential to successful performance in the position to be filled.

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force, and Child Development Services Coordinator, Child Development Center Director and Assistant Director, Family Child Care Director, Outreach Worker, and Supplemental Programs and Services Director positions with the Department of the Army, specialized experience must have been in group child care or other work that demonstrated the ability to:

• Manage the operation of a childcare center.
• Select, train, and supervise childcare and preschool employees, family childcare providers, or other care-giving adults.
• Develop and implement child development programs, including family day care programs, part-day preschool programs, and before and after school programs.
• Work with individuals and groups to solve complex problems related to the care and education of children.

The following are examples of qualifying specialized experience for Air Force and Army child development positions:

• For GS-11 and above , experience in managing a large, complex child development program offering a wide range of services, in a variety of settings.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : Applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is experience in Child and Youth Program Specialist proficient in developing and implementing comprehensive programs that align with child development principles and regulatory requirements (AF, DoD). Adept at conducting program inspections, ensuring fiscal compliance, and optimizing resource allocation. Proven ability to analyze data, identify areas for improvement, and present actionable recommendations through concise reports and briefings, contributing to a high-quality, compliant, and enriching environment for children and youth.

NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Professional knowledge of child and youth development and education principles, norms, behaviors, growth patterns, and procedures to develop meaningful program services and establish criteria for developmentally appropriate child activities; determine requirements for program materials and equipment; and develop curriculum plans and activities which promote the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children at various ages, with a variety of needs, and in diverse settings.
• Knowledge of public law, AF policy, and DoD directives related to the area of childcare, youth activities, school-age programs, teen activities/programs, and social events for children and families, to plan and direct programs and provide administrative guidance and/or technical advice to management.
• Knowledge of Child Development and Youth Program inspection requirements, reports, and program terms, as well as knowledge of common accounting, budgeting, funds control, resale, and inventory management principles to conduct staff assistance visits and inspect assigned programs.
• Knowledge of the organization's mission and higher headquarters policies and principles applicable to financial indicators, corporate standards, and performance measurements.
• Skill in gathering, assembling, and compiling data, evaluating information, drawing conclusions, devising solutions, and preparing quantitative and narrative reports for a variety of offices and agencies; establishing and maintaining records; and managing resources to enhance accomplishment of program goals and mission.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and to communicate well with others, orally and in writing, including preparing and conducting formal and informal briefings.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE : Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE : Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.