Child Development Specialist

Positive Development • Simi Valley, CA

17d

About The Position

Positive Development works one-on-one with autistic children, helping them build communication, social, and daily living skills through play-based, relationship-focused interactions. The Child Development Specialist actively coaches and connects with children, supporting their growth while gaining experience relevant to fields such as psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, and health.

In this part-time role, you will work individually with children in their homes and/or at a center. You will follow a relationship-based intervention model, document session notes and goal outcomes, and collaborate with clinicians and supervisors. The organization provides training, coaching, and mentorship; prior expertise in the intervention model is not required.

Schedules are available three, four, or five days per week. Most weekday hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; weekend availability is generally Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Direct-session pay is $26–$30 per hour, based on experience and education, and training/administrative work pays $20 per hour. Paid drive time and mileage reimbursement 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 working experience with children.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation; able 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, empathy, enthusiasm, emotional maturity, reliability, and 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 or 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.
• Comfort working directly with families in a home-based setting.

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 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 how evidence-based developmental care works 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