Child Development Specialist

Full Job Description

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The primary purpose of this position is to develop broad based individuals who can deal effectively with change and complexity within the Air Force environment as it relates to their career field.

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.

To qualify for a GS-07: Completion of 1 academic year of graduate level education, bachelor's degree with Superior academic Achievement as provided in the "General Policies and Instructions" for Qualifications Standards Operating Manual, or 5 academic years of pre-professional study, or 1 year specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes: Knowledge of child development concepts, theories, and principles; knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact finding, analysis, and development of action plans to resolve program problems and issues; knowledge of administrative office procedures, practices and concepts; knowledge of instructional methods and curriculum development; and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower qualifying pay band or equivalent grade under the General Schedule (GS) or other pay systems.

Equivalent experience may be at the level of the lowest GS grade covered by the applicable pay band; however, the experience must demonstrate KSA's to successfully perform the duties of the position being filled.

This specialized experience could have been obtained in the private or public sectors.

To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience, click on the following link:http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) Requirement for General Schedule (GS) Positions: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-05, or GS-07 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral.

The purpose of TIG restrictions is to prevent excessively rapid promotions in competitive service GS positions and to protect competitive principles.

Once the application and selection process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the applicable OPM qualification requirements.

To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made.

Applicants who fail to provide the necessary documentation to support their educational grade point average/master's degree requirements, qualifying experience or veterans' preference claim will be determined incomplete, ineligible or not identified as claiming veterans' preference.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration in the referral and selection process.

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: 1.

Specialized knowledge of child development concepts, theories, and principles comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the field.

2. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact-finding, analysis, and development of action plans to resolve program problems and issues. 3.

Knowledge of instructional methods and curriculum development. 4.

Skill in compiling, analyzing, and evaluating information; preparing quantitative and narrative reports for a variety of offices and agencies; establishing and maintaining required records; and managing resources to enhance accomplishment of program goals and mission.

5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 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. Major Duties:

• Performs tasks to assist the child development center director/assistant director in developing, administering, and evaluating on-going programs of age-appropriate individual and group educational activities for children.
• Performs tasks to assist training and curriculum specialists in developing age-appropriate activity plans for children 6 weeks through 12 years of age.
• Assists in conducting training for Child Development Program Assistants (CDPAS) and clerical staff using prescribed and/or locally developed curriculum, materials, and resources to meet the needs of individual staff members.
• Performs tasks to assist in providing advice to the Family Day Care Coordinator on necessary training of family day care providers and other staff; assists in providing training; and assists in the development of training tools.
• Helps select, compile, and maintain a training and resource library for the child development program.
• Performs tasks to assist in the direction of cooks, food service workers, and custodial staff.