Child Development Specialist

Child Development Specialist

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive child development screening and ongoing developmental needs assessments for dependent children of homeless and at-risk youth.
• Teach and role model nurturing parenting skills, emphasizing positive discipline, responsive caregiving, and age-appropriate developmental expectations.
• Provide parents with child development information and guidance to support healthy child growth and secure parent-child attachments.
• Support families in building and managing household budgets with particular attention to meeting children's needs.
• Support co-parenting arrangements and strengthen relationships between parents and caregivers.
• Help build healthy parent-child attachments through modeling, coaching, and strength-based family interventions.
• Assist young parents in locating safe, accessible, and affordable childcare options aligned with family needs and values.
• Connect households to community resources including early intervention services, pediatric care, parenting programs, mental health services, and educational support for children.
• Identify and strengthen protective factors within families and communities to promote child wellbeing and reduce risk factors.
• Maintain accurate documentation of assessments, family progress, and service coordination in compliance with privacy and program requirements.
• Collaborate with drop-in center staff to integrate child development services into comprehensive youth services delivery.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to ongoing program improvement and continuous quality enhancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in child development, social work, human services, or related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience working with young children and families in community-based or social services settings.
• Knowledge of child development stages and milestones; experience with developmental screening and assessment tools.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, attachment theory, and child-centered best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, cultural competency, and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work sensitively with families experiencing housing instability.

Hours: 20 hours per week, flexible schedule

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person