Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Oxnard, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Positive Development is hiring a part-time Child Development Specialist in Oxnard, California, in the Clinical department. The role involves working one-on-one with autistic children in their homes and/or at a center, supporting communication, social, and daily living skills through play-based, relationship-focused interactions. Specialists build meaningful connections with children, use shared activities to encourage learning and engagement, follow a relationship-based intervention model, and document session notes and goal outcomes. They collaborate with clinicians and supervisors, while gaining practical experience in evidence-based developmental care. Training and ongoing support are provided. The role may suit people pursuing careers in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, or health.

Direct service pay is $26–$30 per hour, based on experience and education; training and administrative work is paid at $20 per hour. Part-time schedules are available three, four, or five days per week, Monday through Friday, with most available hours between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., or on Saturdays and Sundays, with most available hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Paid drive time and mileage reimbursement are provided for travel between clients. Employment is contingent upon clearing a background check and successfully completing training.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• At least one year of volunteer or work experience with children.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, with the ability to travel within a 30–40 minute drive radius.
• Ability to play on the floor or ground for up to two to three hours per session.
• Ability to lift or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to sit, kneel, crouch, or move quickly to ensure child safety.
• Strong communication skills and professionalism with families and teammates.
• Patience, emotional maturity, empathy, enthusiasm, reliability, and commitment to a consistent schedule.
• Comfort working directly with families in a home-based setting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or interest relevant to psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, special education, counseling, medicine, or health.
• Background as an education or psychology student, pre-med or nursing student, aspiring OT/SLP professional, behavior technician, camp counselor, teaching assistant, childcare provider, direct support professional, or caregiver.

Responsibilities

• Work one-on-one with children in their homes and/or at a center.
• Build children’s communication, social, and daily living skills through play, conversation, and shared activities.
• Create meaningful connections that help children think, create, and engage with the world.
• Follow a relationship-based intervention model.
• Document session notes and goal outcomes to track progress.
• Collaborate with clinicians and supervisors to develop clinical skills and confidence.
• Learn and apply evidence-based developmental care in practice.

Benefits

• Paid new-hire training.
• Ongoing coaching and mentorship from expert clinicians.
• Opportunities for role progression and pay increases.
• Performance bonuses.
• $1,000 referral bonus.
• Monthly technology stipend.
• Paid drive time at the administrative rate and mileage reimbursement between clients.
• Letters of recommendation for graduate or professional programs may be requested by strong performers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level