Child & Youth Program Assistant (CDC), CY-01/02/RFT, All Camps
Serves as a Child and Youth Program Assistant at Child Development Centers across all MCB camps in Okinawa, providing direct care, education, and development for children aged 6 weeks to 18 years.
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is looking for the best and brightest to join our team! MCCS is a comprehensive program that supports and enhances the quality of life for Marines, their families, and others in the Marine Corps Community. We offer a team-oriented environment comprised of military personnel, civilian employees, contractors and volunteers who keep the organization functioning smoothly and effectively. As a service-oriented organization, we never waver in our commitment to our Corps.
This position is located at Child Development Centers at all MCB camps, Okinawa, Japan. Candidates selected for this position will serve as a Child and Youth Program Assistant.
Special note - This position could be located at Camp Foster, Kinser, or Courtney/McTureous based on MCCS management needs.
Major Duties
GSE-04 target level (CY-2): Serves as a Child and Youth (CY) Program Assistant in one or more Child and Youth Programs (CYP). Works under the written and verbal direction of the supervisor, who provides guidance on scope of assignments and assistance on the more complex, non-routine problems encountered. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved and adherence to established standards and procedures. Routine day-to-day assignments are normally performed independently with technical assistance available from the supervisor when required. Routine assignments are spot-checked; the more technical assignments are closely reviewed for adherence to policies, procedures, and instructions.
Maintains control and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth ranging in age from 6 weeks to 18 years. Plans, coordinates, and conducts activities for program participants based on observed needs of individual children and youth. Implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and practices under immediate supervision to provide direct care, education, and development for children and youth. Implements activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of children and youth. Establishes a program environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with other children, youth, and adults. Helps prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules. Prepares and implements program options to care for participants with special needs.
Reviews, provides input to, and implements schedules and activity plans. Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous program activities. Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
Interacts with participants using appropriate approved guidance and development techniques. Interacts professionally with staff members, parents, and local installation command personnel. Participates in conferences with parents and staff. Briefs other employees and parents.
Supervises participants during daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events. Promotes and models safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices. Notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns. Helps arrange for and serves appropriate snacks or meals where applicable. Administers medications and basic care items to participants according to prescribed procedures and CYP medical directives. Observes program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed. Notes special instructions provided by parents. Ensures participants depart with authorized person according to written parental instructions.
Participates in program evaluation using designated instruments such as programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools (as required), self-inspection materials, and national accreditation tools. Assists in achieving and maintaining Department of Defense (DoD) certification and national accreditation or equivalent. Provides care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with local policies, guidance, and standards. Completes training requirements using approved Office of Secretary of Defense and Service materials to include designated DoD approved competency training courses. Ensures compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CYPs. Inventories equipment on a recurring basis and recommends replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies. Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities. Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
May work a fluctuating work schedule to complete work assignments outside of the typical work hours. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Be 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have the ability to speak, read and write English, follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Be able to lift and carry children and objects up to 45lbs independently and over 45lbs with assistance
- Must pass a pre-employment physical and annual physicals thereafter, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease
- Must complete all DoD training requirements within the specified time including orientation, initial, DoD Standardized Virtual Lab School Training, and annual ongoing training requirements, and required certifications
- Must obtain and maintain current food handlers, CPR and First Aid certifications
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a National Agency Check with Inquiries and State Criminal History Repository Check (Tier 1) with Childcare background checks which are required for positions that involve working with children under the age of 18
Intermediate Level Requirements
At intermediate level must meet all of the above and:
- Have six months experience working in a United States Marine Corps (USMC) or other military service childcare or youth program, and have completed DoD Standardized Entry Level Module Training to include DoD approved competency training courses, must be completed and evident by service-issued training documentation
OR
- Six months experience working in a childcare or youth program, plus nine semester hours of college credit with course content directly related to the age group which assigned
Target Level Requirements
At target level must meet all of the above and:
- 12 months working in a United States Marine Corps (USMC) or other military service childcare or youth program. Completion of DoD approved competency training courses. Additionally, Entry and Intermediate Level Training must be complete and evident by service-issued documentation
OR
- 12 months of experience working in a childcare or youth program, plus possess and maintain one of the following directly related to the age group of the position to which assigned: Child Development Associate Credential, Military School Age Credential, or other nationally recognized Youth Development Credential
OR
- 12 months of experience working in a childcare or youth program, plus an associate's degree which includes a major course of study (24 semester hours) with content directly related to the age group to which assigned
OR
- 12 months of experience working in a childcare or youth program, plus a bachelor's degree which includes a major course or study (24 semester hours) with content as indicated above
Note: This position is identified as a Test Designated Position (TDP), being subject to unannounced random drug testing under the Department of Navy's Drug-Free Workplace Program. The selected applicant must have a negative drug test result before and during employment.
Benefits
This vacancy is also eligible for the following employee benefits:
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to a 5% employer match for RFT/RPT
- NAF Pension Plan that is portable to other qualified government agencies (may be eligible to buy back military service time)
- International medical and dental insurance (on/off base)
- Inexpensive life insurance covers up to 3x your annual salary
- Short Term Disability Insurance up to 60% of your salary
- Tuition Assistance Program (up to $10,000 per year) for certifications, licenses, and college degrees
- Leave Donation Program for life's emergencies
- Professional training and development curriculum in technology and leadership
Child and Youth Program employment incentives:
- Recruitment Incentive: Upon hire, all regular full-time and regular part-time CYP employees at MCCS Butler are eligible to receive a $500 recruitment incentive which will be disbursed no later than the second pay period of an employee's hire date
- Retention Incentive: All regular full-time and regular part-time CYP Employees at MCCS Butler will receive an annual $500 retention incentive on the anniversary of their hire date
- Referral Incentive: All MCCS Butler employees in grades NF-03 (or equivalent grade) and below are eligible for a $100 incentive payment for any referral that results in the hire of a CYP employee
- Childcare Subsidy Incentive: All regular full-time and regular part-time CYP employees at MCCS Butler will receive a 100% childcare discount for the first child enrolled in a Child and Youth Program facility, plus a 50% discount for each subsequent child
Additional Info
Locations
- All MCB camps, Okinawa, Japan
- This position could be located at Camp Foster, Kinser, or Courtney/McTureous based on MCCS management needs
Position Information
- Position/Grade: Child and Youth Program Assistant (CDC), CY-01/02
- Type of Appointment: Regular Full-Time
- Open Date: 04/15/2026
- Close Date: 04/29/2026
- Who May Apply: Okinawa-wide announcement
- Salary: $19.48 - $21.89 per hour
- Contact Information: [email protected] or DSN 645-3052, Int'l 011-81-970-3052
- Health Card Required: Yes
- Background Check Required: Yes
- Drug Testing Position (DTP): Yes
Application Information
- All applications must be submitted online via the MCCS Careers website
- Resumes/applications emailed or mailed will not be considered
- Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date
- Social Security Card is required to be presented during the application process
- This position is for applicants currently residing in Okinawa or arriving on official government orders to Okinawa within 30 days
- Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applies to positions in grades NF-3 and below
- All military and DoD civilian spouses are required to provide a copy of their sponsor's orders during the application process
General Information
- Applicants are assured of equal consideration regardless of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex, GINA, political affiliation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, marital status, physical handicap which has no bearing on the ability to perform the duties of the position
- This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities
- It is Department of Navy (DON) policy to provide a workplace free of discrimination and retaliation
- As part of the employment process, Human Resources Division may obtain a Criminal Record Check and/or an Investigative Consumer Report
- Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI)
- Direct Deposit of total NET pay is mandatory as a condition of employment for all appointments to positions within MCCS
- This activity is a Drug-free workplace
- Individuals selected from this announcement may be changed to part-time or full-time at management's discretion without further competition
Skills & Keywords
Administrative Assistant, NF-02/RFT, Chimugukuru CDC, Camp Foster
Provides administrative support for a Child Development Center at Camp Foster, handling visitor reception, correspondence, scheduling, data compilation, and cash handling duties.
Training and Curriculum Specialist, NF-04/RFT, SAC, Camp Foster
Orients new child and youth professionals to the system, coordinates training plans, ensures implementation of standardized curriculum, and provides classroom support and… See More
Administrative Assistant, NF-02/RFT, SAC, Camp Kinser
Provides administrative and clerical support to the Family Care Branch's Child, Youth and Teen Program at Camp Kinser, handling customer inquiries, correspondence, filing, and… See More
SAC Assistant Director, NF-04/RFT, Camp Foster
Supervises staff and manages operations for the School Age Care program at Camp Foster, ensuring compliance with USDA food program requirements and child/youth development… See More