Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Thousand Oaks, CA

2d • $20 - $30

About The Position

Positive Development is seeking a part-time Child Development Specialist to work one-on-one with autistic children in their homes and/or center-based settings. Using play-based, relationship-focused interactions, the specialist helps children build communication, social, and daily living skills. The role involves active coaching and connecting with children, documenting progress, and collaborating with clinicians and supervisors. It offers practical experience relevant to fields such as psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, and health care. Training, ongoing coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for role progression are provided. 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; the position requires the ability to travel within a 30–40-minute drive radius.
• Strong communication skills and professionalism with families and teammates.
• 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.
• Patience, emotional maturity, commitment, reliability, empathy, and enthusiasm for working with children and teens.
• 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 major, 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

• 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 designed to achieve strong outcomes with fewer session hours.
• Document session notes and goal outcomes to track progress.
• Collaborate with clinicians and supervisors to build clinical skills and confidence.
• Learn and apply evidence-based developmental care in practice.
• Work directly with families in home-based settings and/or provide services in center-based settings.

Benefits

• $1,000 referral bonus.
• Monthly technology stipend.
• Paid drive time at the admin rate and mileage reimbursement between clients at the IRS rate.
• Paid new-hire training.
• Ongoing coaching and mentorship from experienced clinicians.
• Opportunities for role progression, pay increases, and performance bonuses.
• Strong performers may request letters of recommendation for graduate or professional programs.

What This Job Offers

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