Child Development Specialist

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas • Austin, TX

28d • $20 - $21 • Onsite

About The Position

The main responsibility of the Child Development Specialist is to provide exceptional, high-quality care and education to children in the Exploration Center. This role is accountable for ensuring the overall well-being of the children in the center and is committed to supporting the growth and development of each child.

Requirements

• Child Development Associate (CDA) or one-year certificate in Early Childhood Education or Child Care Administrator Certificate; or twelve higher education credits from an accredited institution in early childhood education child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education.
• Accredited, in-person Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification (must be obtained within 30 days of hire).
• Two years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers in a regulated child-care center/educational facility serving children from birth through kindergarten.
• Must be able to understand work instructions in English.
• Must have a working knowledge of computer programs and accessing internet applications such as Microsoft Products, Google Applications (Gmail), Excel, Microsoft Word, and Internet Explorer.
• Communication skills to be able to work on a team as well as professionally interact with parents.
• Ability to respond to a child’s needs promptly and courteously.
• Ability to safely lift children throughout the day.
• Ability to perform continuous walking, stooping, standing, and bending for the majority of the shift.
• Exhibit respect for diversity of thought and have the experience to advance it in teams/organizations.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Arabic, Pashto, French, and English.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality early care and education to young children by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities across social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the arts domains.
• Provide a safe and healthy environment.
• Maintain compliance with all Child Care Regulations (CCR), National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and Texas Rising Star (TRS) Standards.
• Oversee and demonstrate appropriate practices.
• Observe and record children's developmental milestones, create portfolios for each child, and maintain both formal and informal assessment records.
• Provide optimal coordination of home and Center in terms of research-based teaching and parenting; schedule and conduct parent/teacher conferences.
• Complete departmental forms such as attendance records, anecdotal records, accident reports, health and safety checks, lesson plans, etc.
• Fulfill mandatory training requirements, including Pediatric First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Training, Pres Service Training, and Annual Training, with a minimum of 30 hours each year.
• Convey information in a positive and professional manner, adhering to NAEYC Professional Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Maintain a clean and safe physical environment for children (cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing areas).
• Ensures there are ample materials to allow children to make choices and explore a variety of interests.
• Assist parents with stages of development.
• Communicate the center policy to staff and parents.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: We provide top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you and your family stay healthy and happy.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with our generous PTO policy, which includes vacation days, personal days, and company-wide holidays.
• Teacher Retirement System & 403b Participation
• Paid Parental Leave: We understand the importance of family. We offer a generous parental leave policy to support you during this significant life event.
• Professional Development Opportunities: We believe in continuous growth! Take advantage of our access to workshops and online courses & tuition/certification support.
• Wellness Programs: Prioritize your well-being with our wellness initiatives, including gym memberships and free mental health support.
• Employee Recognition Programs: We celebrate our team members’ achievements with recognition awards.
• Diverse and Inclusive Culture: Join a workplace that values diversity and inclusion, with regular team-building activities and events that foster a sense of belonging.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree