TRAINING AND CURRICULUM SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

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The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the early childhood education specialist or youth development specialist for child and youth programs including child development centers, family child care, school-age, youth programs,and unique child care programs.

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, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions, General Education and Training Series 1701.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have a degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION - Applicant has a combination of education and experience which includes: Courses equivalent to a major in Child Development or Early Childhood Education 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.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes using professional knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of early childhood development and youth development encompassing infant through school-age, youth and teens and child and youth development theories, methodology, and practices; providing knowledge of child care regulation requirements and policies; developing curricula which supports physical, emotional, social, cognitive development of children and youth: developing supports that accommodate children with special needs and children with challenging behaviors; developing, adapting, and providing training to staff members, volunteers, family child care providers and parents, as well as food service and administrative staff; using the administration and interpretation of the environmental, program, and child abuse probability assessments.

OR EDUCATION: Applicant has successfully completed two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in child development or early childhood education.

Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Applicant has a combination of specialized experience and education as described above.

Therefore, I have a combination of experience and education to meet the qualifications of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

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-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 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: Professional knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of early childhood development and youth development encompassing infant through school-age, youth and teens and child and youth development theories, methodology, and practices.

Knowledge of childcare regulation requirements and policies. Skill in developing curricula which supports physical, emotional, social, cognitive development of children and youth.

Skill in developing supports that accommodate children with special needs and children with challenging behaviors.

Skill in developing, adapting, and providing training to staff members, volunteers, family childcare providers and parents, as well as food service and administrative staff.

Skill in the administration and interpretation of the environmental, program, and child abuse probability assessments. Ability to effectively communicate, 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:

Oversees curricula for child development centers, family childcare programs, school-age, youth programs and other unique children's programs.

Creates a work environment that supports ongoing professional development and continuous quality improvement through observation, coaching, mentoring, collaborative learning, training and reflective practice.

Supports children who may have special needs or complex behaviors. Develops plans to improve overall operations, correct identified deficiencies, and enhance developmental programs and services.

Represents all programs with a variety of installation and functional area organizations.