Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Annapolis, MD

5d • $20 - $28

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 in Annapolis, Maryland, and surrounding areas. The role uses play-based, relationship-focused interactions to help children build communication, social, and daily living skills. Specialists create connections that support children’s thinking, creativity, and engagement, follow a relationship-based intervention model, and document session notes and goal outcomes.

The position provides hands-on experience relevant to careers in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, and health. Specialists collaborate with clinicians and supervisors, receive training and ongoing mentorship, and learn how evidence-based developmental care is applied in practice. The role requires patience, emotional maturity, reliability, and professionalism when working with children, families, and teammates.

Direct service 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, generally with available hours from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., or on Saturdays and Sundays, generally from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Paid drive time and mileage reimbursement 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 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.
• 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.
• Backgrounds such as education or psychology studies, pre-med or nursing studies, OT/SLP aspirations, behavior technician work, camp counseling, teaching assistance, childcare, direct support, or caregiving.

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 build clinical skills and confidence.
• Learn and apply evidence-based developmental care in real-world settings.

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