Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Ventura, CA

5d • $20 - $30

About The Position

Positive Development is hiring a part-time Child Development Specialist in Ventura to work one-on-one with autistic children in their homes and/or at a center. The role uses play-based, relationship-focused interactions to help children develop communication, social, and daily living skills. Specialists build connections with children through play, conversation, and shared activities, follow a relationship-based intervention model, document session notes and goal outcomes, and collaborate with clinicians and supervisors. The role offers practical experience in developmental care and support in building clinical skills for people pursuing careers in fields such as psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, and health.

The position requires patience, emotional maturity, reliability, professionalism, and comfort working directly with children and families. Candidates receive paid new-hire training, ongoing coaching and mentorship, and opportunities for role progression, pay increases, and performance bonuses. Employment is contingent on 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, reliability, and commitment to a consistent schedule.

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, teacher’s 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.
• Participate in training and ongoing coaching.

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 admin rate and mileage reimbursement between clients.
• Strong performers may request letters of recommendation for graduate or professional programs.

What This Job Offers

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