Child Development Specialist I, II, or III

State of Oklahoma • Clinton, SD

2d • $61,000

About The Position

Child Development Specialists serve as an active member of the Child Guidance Team and provide direct services across the continuum of care from promotion, prevention, and intervention to families with children birth up to age 8. Child Guidance is a statewide program that promotes and supports healthy family relationships and child development. The Child Development Specialists in the Child Guidance program provide individual and family services to increase parenting skills and enhance the developmental potential of young children. This includes assessing and/or screening development in young children; developing and implementing early childhood prevention programs for parents and young children to enhance their opportunities for cognitive, personal-social, language, and motor development; providing opportunities for parents to come together in a support group, training and/or educational setting and; serving as a member of a multidisciplinary team to monitor the effectiveness of child development services. This position is responsible for providing clients with developmental and educational services in the areas of child development. Services are provided for clients in a clinic-based setting. Services may include developmental screenings, assessments, intervention, and parent education.

Requirements

• Level I: Requirements at this level consist of completion of a Master’s degree in child development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, developmental psychology, or family relations/child development or a master’s degree in special education with a minimum of 18 graduate, post graduate, or upper level hours (300 or above) in any of the following areas: typical and atypical infant and toddler development, parent-child relations, positive guidance/discipline strategies with young children, family systems, family relationships, assessment/evaluation, working with parents of exceptional infants and toddlers, and developmentally and individually appropriate early childhood curriculum and instructional practices.
• Level II: Requirements at this level consist of completion of a Master’s degree in child development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, developmental psychology, or family relations/child development or a master’s degree in special education with a minimum of 18 graduate, post graduate, or upper level hours (300 or above) in any of the following areas: typical and atypical infant and toddler development, parent-child relations, positive guidance/discipline strategies with young children, family systems, family relationships, assessment/evaluation, working with parents of exceptional infants and toddlers, and developmentally and individually appropriate early childhood curriculum and instructional practices. Plus, one year of post-master’s experience working in the area of child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education and certification as a Child and Parenting Specialist (CCPS) through the Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition (OFRC) within one year of employment.
• Level III: Requirements at this level consist of completion of a Master’s degree in child development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, developmental psychology, or family relations/child development or a master’s degree in special education with a minimum of 18 graduate, post graduate, or upper level hours (300 or above) in any of the following areas: typical and atypical infant and toddler development, parent-child relations, positive guidance/discipline strategies with young children, family systems, family relationships, assessment/evaluation, working with parents of exceptional infants and toddlers, and developmentally and individually appropriate early childhood curriculum and instructional practices. Plus, two additional years of post-master’s experience working in the areas of child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education.
• Level I: Required at this level include knowledge of typical and atypical child development from birth through adolescence; of the skills and techniques for childcare and guidance; of the methods and curricula of early childhood education or early childhood special education; and of community health and welfare resources for children and their parents. Ability is required to work cooperatively and effectively with both professional and non-professional groups and encourage participation in child development and early intervention programs; and to teach child development and parenting skills.
• Level II: Required at this level include those identified in Level I plus the ability to assess children’s development and to provide educational programs to parents.
• Level III: Required at this level include knowledge of the principles, practices and ethics of parent education, early childhood education, or early childhood special education; of training and instructional techniques and their application; of the use of materials and curricula used in parenting education, early childhood education, or early childhood special education programs; of typical and atypical child development from birth through adolescence; of the skills and techniques for child care and guidance; and of community resources for children and their parents. Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and to exercise initiative and independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Conducts groups and workshops to educate parents and professionals in the area of child development through materials and curricula developed for this purpose.
• Conducts parent support groups
• Provides developmental assessments and screenings of young children; teach parents ways to enhance their child’s developmental potential.
• Maintains confidential records of services including progress notes and evaluation reports in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Assists in the selection, preparation, and distribution of materials on child development which will further the purpose of this program.
• Provides in-service training in the areas of child development and parenting to staff at Head Starts, day care, preschool programs, or other programs, as necessary.
• Provides individuals and families prevention information on topics related to parenting and child development.
• Provides referrals to individuals and families to relevant services to assist in achieving goals and their well-being.
• Recruits clients for child development programs through contracts with community organizations such as public health clinics, hospitals, child- care centers, civic organizations, pediatricians and the news media.
• Collaborates with other community agencies as well as plans and conducts community wide efforts to promote the health, development, and behavioral well-being of young children and families.
• Participates as a member of a Child Guidance Team by staffing individual cases and groups and in developing a service plan pertaining to child development and meeting family goals.

Benefits

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees.
• 11 paid holidays a year.
• Student Loan repayment options & tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts with a variety of companies and venders.
• Longevity Bonus for years of service

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees