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Posted: December 19, 2025 (27 days ago)

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RECREATION SPECIALIST (YOUTH ACTIVITIES)

Air Education and Training Command

Department of the Air Force

Older

Location

Salary

$49,960 - $64,952

per year

Closes

January 13, 2026

GS-5 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves helping run youth programs at an Air Force base, focusing on organizing sports, fitness, and social activities for kids, with a special emphasis on managing the youth sports program.

It's a great fit for someone who loves working with children, has experience in recreation or youth development, and is comfortable in a structured military environment.

The role requires strong organizational skills and a passion for helping young people grow through fun activities.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience in planning, organizing, or evaluating recreational programs (equivalent to GS-5 level)
  • Knowledge of youth development principles related to physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth
  • Successful completion of one year of graduate education, a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement, or a combination of education and experience
  • Passing comprehensive background checks, including Child Care National Agency Check with Inquiries (CNACI), FBI fingerprint check, and state criminal history records
  • Meeting federal time-in-grade requirements (one year at GS-5 for GS-7 eligibility)
  • Annual certification and reporting of any incidents affecting eligibility for child contact
  • Submission of official transcripts if qualifying based on education

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Youth Program Specialist at an Air Force (AF) installation who provides assistance to the Youth Activities Director in organizing, implementing, and conducting various sports, fitness, recreational and social programs for eligible youth with direct oversight of the youth sports program.

Conditions of Employment Continued: This position has been identified as having "regular contact with children".

IAW AFI 34-144, DODI 1402.05 and section 13041 of Title 42, United States Code, Pre-employment screening will be conducted and preliminary suitability determinations made based on the following documents or checks of: Application and/or Resume, Optional Form 306, "Declaration for Federal Employment", DD Form 2981, Basic Criminal History and Statement of Admission, Installation Records Check, National Sex Offender Public Website check, Advanced FBI fingerprint check, and References.

Final suitability will be determined based on results of Child Care National Agency Check with Inquiries (CNACI) and State Criminal History Records Checks (SCHRC).

The DD Form 2981 requires annual certification and requires personnel to immediately report to their supervisor any incident that may invalidate their prior background checks and make them ineligible for contact with children/youth.

Personnel will undergo a reverification every five years performed using the same investigations as required during the initial investigation.

In order to qualify, you must meet the SPECIALIZED experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Recreation Specialist Series 0188.

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 planning, organizing, coordinating, supervising, or evaluating community, industrial, outdoor, institutional, or other recreational programs; planning, establishing, or evaluating a recreational curriculum for junior college or higher academic levels; instructing in the principles and techniques of recreational program planning and management; or serving in a leadership role in the programs and activities of local, regional, and/or national recreational organizations.

OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed one full academic year of graduate-level education OR I have a bachelor's degree and am claiming Superior Academic Achievement.

NOTE: You must submit copies of your official transcripts.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Less than the full amount of specialized experience described; however, I have completed some graduate-level education as described.

Therefore, I have a combination of experience and education as described above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official college transcripts.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

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.

Knowledge of youth development theory, methodology, and practices relating to physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development.

Knowledge of recreation and leisure program planning concepts, principles, and methodology. 2. Knowledge of requirements involved in the qualifications and suitability of adults to work with youth. 3.

Skill in preparing budgets, program evaluations, and facility administration; managing financial and physical resources of youth programs; and in effectively organizing and utilizing available resources within the program framework.

4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 5. Ability to implement policies, practices, and procedures in youth programs and safety management.

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:

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and implements a developmentally appropriate and diverse, educational recreational, fitness and leisure year-round youth program that promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development and fosters achievement, leadership, and recognition of youth.

Monitors day-to-day operation of the Youth Center; assisting the Youth Center Manager in oversight of program management, administrative duties, facility, property, and maintenance.

Administers Youth Center Program resources. Provides a safe and healthy environment for youth and staff.

Assists in developing marketing strategies to promote and publicize the youth program and increase awareness and participation.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 12/19/2025 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 12/19/2025

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 9Z-AFPC-12855945-050907-CDA