Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Culver City, CA

7d • $20 - $30

About The Position

Positive Development is hiring a part-time Child Development Specialist to work one-on-one with autistic children in their homes and/or at a center. Using play-based, relationship-focused interactions, the specialist helps children build communication, social, and daily living skills. The role involves actively coaching and connecting with children and supporting their development through play, conversation, and shared activities.

The specialist follows a relationship-based intervention model, documents session notes and goal outcomes, and collaborates with clinicians and supervisors. The position offers paid training, ongoing coaching and mentorship, and exposure to evidence-based developmental care. It may be relevant experience for future careers in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, and health.

Schedules are part-time, either 3, 4, or 5 weekdays (Monday–Friday), with most available hours from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday, with most available hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Direct pay is $26–$30 per hour, based on experience and education; training and administrative work pay $20 per hour. Paid drive time and mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate are provided between clients. 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.
• 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.
• Comfort working directly with families in a home-based setting.
• Availability for a consistent part-time schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Interest in child development and learning.
• Experience or educational background 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, OT/SLP hopeful, 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.
• Learn and apply evidence-based developmental care in practice.
• Complete physical activities needed to support children and ensure their safety, including playing on the floor or ground, lifting and carrying, sitting, kneeling, crouching, and moving quickly.

Benefits

• $1,000 referral bonus.
• Monthly technology stipend.
• Paid drive time at the administrative rate and mileage reimbursement between clients.
• Paid new-hire training.
• Ongoing coaching and mentorship from expert clinicians.
• Opportunities for role progression and pay increases.
• 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