Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Phillipsburg, NJ

11d • $20 - $28 • Onsite

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 center-based settings. 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, hands-on role involving direct work with children and families. Specialists document session notes and goal outcomes, collaborate with clinicians and supervisors, and receive training, coaching, and mentorship while learning how evidence-based developmental care works in practice. The position may be particularly suitable for students balancing classes, internships, or graduate school, and offers experience relevant to careers in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, and health.

The position is onsite in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Direct session 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 (Monday through Friday), generally between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., or on Saturday and Sunday, generally between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Paid drive time and mileage reimbursement are provided for travel 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 and 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, commitment, and reliability to maintain 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.
• Empathy and enthusiasm.
• Background or studies in education, psychology, pre-medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, behavior support, counseling, childcare, direct support, or caregiving.

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 experienced 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