Assistant Child Development Specialist

Summary:

At Father Joe’s Villages (FJV), we stand for ending homelessness one life at a time. You will have the unique opportunity to work with children and families who are unhoused to break the cycle of homelessness. Join our State Licensed Therapeutic Childcare Center and support the therapeutic classroom interventions to help build healthy, confident children, with a brighter future.

The Assistant Child Development Specialist (CDS) is looking to complete all the Childcare educational units while assisting with classroom oversight, care, and instruction of children of all ages ensuring all licensing regulations are followed. Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to develop behavioral/developmental plans. The Assistant CDS can be promoted to CDS upon completion of licensing-required courses.

We are looking for strong advocates for children who display compassion and understanding of how trauma impacts children, who can appropriately and developmentally respond to behavior crises, and who see themselves as a positive influence in the lives of children and families.

Essential Functions:

• Assists CDS in supporting children of all ages with patience, compassion, and a trauma-informed lens; ensures the health, safety, and well-being of all children which may include, feeding, diapering, toilet training, transitions, play, and other age-appropriate activities
• Ability to work with children with various developmental, cognitive, or behavioral needs, and work closely with Program leadership and in-house Therapist to address their needs 
• Assists CDS in implementing age-appropriate class and behavior management plans, prevents and manages behavior/ emotional crises, and creates a positive learning environment
• Assists in evaluating children’s development and growth, and recommends therapeutic supports
• Completes monthly assessments on individual children
• Helps develop and implement weekly lesson plans 
• Communicates professionally and with CREED with all families about their children’s progress, addresses challenges with care, and deescalate potentially difficult situations with parents 
• Maintains daily attendance, facilitates meals and snacks
• Responsible for the appearance, age-appropriate arrangement, and cleanliness of the classroom
• Assists in supervision, support, and daily direction of interns and volunteers in the classroom
• Participates in behavior meetings, staff meetings, and program reviews; collaborates in TC-wide events
• Meets regularly with Supervisor regarding children and program success and challenges
• Ensures program and agency policies and procedures 
• Ensures accurate and timely documentation in the CSTAR and other databases, including updating service and case notes; updates goals in ADP bi-monthly throughout the year 
• On-time completion of assigned training and policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Candidates with a High School Diploma or GED, working towards 12 units of child development, plus one (1) year of experience teaching in a childcare setting are considered 
  1. Child Development Classes, with the expectation of completing 12 units in child development, including Introduction to Child Development, Child, Family and Community, Infant and Toddler Development, and a Child Development Curriculum Course 
• First Aid & CPR-Pediatric certificate a plus
• Basic user of MS Office
• Ability to pass fingerprinting and background check upon employment
• Be at least 21 years of age, have a valid in-state driver’s license, provide current registration and insurance, and have a driving record with no more than 2 points within the last 3 years  
• Annual Tuberculosis screening and/or other screenings when necessary