Child Development Specialist - PM

Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery • Minneapolis, MN

22d • $19 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Child Development Specialist provides direct client care for children, newborn through six years of age, who are voluntarily placed by parents at the Nursery. The Child Development Specialist will engage in intentional, developmentally, and trauma-informed interventions that use three days of protective care to prevent child abuse and neglect, provide security, restore predictability, soothe trauma-related arousal, and provide care that helps children and strengthens families. All staff working on the shift report to the Children’s Services Manager, but may take direction from the Lead Child Development Specialist.

Requirements

• Must be 19 years of age for day and evening shifts; 21 years of age for overnight.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience partnering with diverse communities required.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and orally.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification, or be willing to become certified within 90 days of employment.
• Ability to bend from a standing position
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
• Ability to carry 40 pounds up and down stairs or place into strollers
• Ability to sit on the floor and able to rise quickly
• Ability to hear a child speaking or crying

Nice To Haves

• Preference will be given to those with early childhood training, Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood education, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, or related field.
• At least one-year professional experience working with children in similar childcare or residential setting preferred
• Experience working in crisis situations and crisis intervention preferred.
• Applicable college level education may be considered substitution for experience on a case by case basis.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care for children in a healthy and nurturing care environment.
• Plan and implement social-emotional, educational, and recreational age-appropriate activities that allow children to work toward parent-identified goals.
• Assist children to develop safe and appropriate ways of interacting and expressing their feelings.
• Manage children’s behavior with the purpose of reinforcing positive behaviors and de-escalating challenging behaviors while processing the situation and providing alternatives in a positive manner. Document separation of child from peer group, when and if necessary.
• Maintain accurate placement logs of child’s daily activities, meals, and progress on parent-identified goals. Properly complete all forms relating to child placement, including health screens, accidents, incidents and concern forms, and make revisions as instructed by Children’s Services Manager and/or Lead Child Development Specialist.
• Prepare for shift by reading children’s files, admission information, parent-identified goals, and other relevant placement information.
• Follow all GMCN health and safety protocols.
• Complete other duties as assigned to meet agency needs.

What This Job Offers

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