Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Columbia, MD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Positive Development is hiring a part-time Child Development Specialist to work one-on-one with autistic children in home-based and/or center-based settings in Columbia, Maryland, and surrounding areas. The role uses play-based, relationship-focused interactions to help children build communication, social, and daily living skills. Specialists create meaningful connections through play, conversation, and shared activities, and follow a relationship-based intervention model designed to achieve strong outcomes with fewer session hours.

This is an active, direct-care role that includes documenting session notes and goal outcomes and collaborating with clinicians and supervisors. The position provides paid training, ongoing coaching and mentorship, and exposure to evidence-based developmental care. It may be relevant experience for people pursuing careers in fields such as psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, and health.

Direct pay is $22–$28 per hour, based on experience and education; training and administrative work pays $20 per hour. Part-time schedules are available three, four, or five weekdays, typically with available hours from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., or on Saturdays and Sundays, typically between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. 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

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation, with 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, and commitment to working with children and teens.
• Reliability and commitment to a consistent schedule.
• Comfort working directly with families in a home-based setting.

Nice To Haves

• Passion for working with children and teens.
• Curiosity about human development and learning.
• Experience or background as an education major, psychology student, pre-med or nursing student, aspiring OT or SLP, 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 center-based settings.
• 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.
• Strong performers may request letters of recommendation for graduate or professional programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED