Training and Curriculum Specialist

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Primary purpose of this position: 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. Train program staff, volunteers, contractors, family child care providers, administrative, and food service staff.

**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 Professional and Scientific Positions. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included or was supplemented by major study in child development or early childhood education. For Child Development Training and Curriculum Specialist positions with the Departments of the Air Force the education must have been in child development or early childhood education. OR Combination of education and experience -- 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 in child or development or early childhood education. NOTE: You MUST submit copies 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: CONSIDERATION AT THE GS-09: 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 include knowledge of early childhood or youth education principles, concepts, and techniques to develop, interpret, monitor, and evaluate the execution of curriculum and age-appropriate activities. Knowledge of youth education principles, concepts, and techniques to develop, interpret, monitor, and evaluate the execution of curriculum and age-appropriate activities, youth recreation, or physical education. Knowledge of adult learning techniques and strategies and experience training adult learners. OR Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of progressively higher-level graduate education and experience may be used to satisfy the specialized experience requirement for this position if the computed percentage of the education and experience is at least 100%. NOTE: You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. 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 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. CONSIDERATION AT THE GS-11: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09 or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include knowledge of early childhood or youth education principles, concepts, and techniques to develop, interpret, monitor, and evaluate the execution of curriculum and age-appropriate activities. Knowledge of youth education principles, concepts, and techniques to develop, interpret, monitor, and evaluate the execution of curriculum and age-appropriate activities, youth recreation, or physical education. Knowledge of adult learning techniques and strategies and experience training adult learners. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of progressively higher-level graduate education and experience may be used to satisfy the specialized experience requirement for this position if the computed percentage of the education and experience is at least 100%. NOTE: You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. 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 early childhood development and education principles, concepts, methods and techniques to plan and direct the training and curriculum elements for a large and diversified Child Development Program. Knowledge of child development principles, norms, behaviors, growth patterns, and procedures to develop meaningful program services, establish criteria for the organization of developmentally appropriate child activity spaces, determine requirements for program materials and equipment and develop curriculum plans and activities which promote the physical, social emotional and intellectual growth and development of children from infancy through school age. Knowledge of and skill in developing course materials and instructional methods, principles, and techniques in order to develop self-contained training courses, obtain training resources and assess overall effectiveness in order to meet identified training requirements. Knowledge and ability to plan, conduct and supervise training programs for staff and for parent education programs. Knowledge of policies and regulations governing the operation of a child development programs, e.g., fire, health, safety, and facility requirements, food service regulation, design criteria and financial operations, and ability to plan and budget to meet operating needs. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing to include the ability to deal with diverse populations from educationally disadvantaged or vocationally underdeveloped to college graduates and the ability to conduct and present training. 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. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 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.