Summary 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 childcare, school-age, youth programs, and unique childcare programs. To train program staff, volunteers, contractors, family childcare providers, administrative, and food service staff. Responsibilities 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. Ensures procedures are followed to support the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and any other laws and/or directives pertaining to the special needs of children. 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. Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with agencies on and off the installation. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. 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. 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: To qualify for this position at the GS-07 level, you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-05), or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes use of professional knowledge and skills in developing curricula which covers physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Experience that involved teaching young children in a preschool, early elementary school, church school, or day care center. 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. OR EDUCATION: 1 year of graduate-level education or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements To qualify for this position at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-07), or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include initiating, designing, developing and arraigning for, conducts, and oversees training in early childhood development and related activities for all child development staff, family day care program and providers, preschool and school-age program staff, volunteers, hourly care staff, management administrative staff, custodial employees, food service staff, and staff working in any unique settings for children such a Sure Start. Experience in managing an entire cycle of operation of an early childhood program, including budgeting; facility management; supply management; program development; implementation; selection, training, and supervision of personnel; and curriculum oversight. 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. OR EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements 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. 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. 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. 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. 2. Knowledge of childcare regulation requirements and policies. 3. 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. 4. Skill in developing, adapting, and providing training to staff members, volunteers, family childcare providers and parents, as well as food service and administrative staff. 5. Skill in the administration and interpretation of the environmental, program, and child abuse probability assessments. 6. 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. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.