Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Responsibilities 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 child care, school-age, youth programs, and unique child care programs. To train program staff, volunteers, contractors, family child care providers, administrative, and food service staff. DUTIES: Oversees curricula for child development centers, family child care 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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, Professional and Scientific Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-1701, General Education and Training Series. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: A Bachelor's (or higher) degree that included or was supplemented by a major study in child development or early childhood education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION -- 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 above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. AND 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 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 child care 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 child care 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. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your 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-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: 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 child care 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 child care 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 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. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.