2026-2027 Head Start Child Development Specialist

Division: Office of Early Learning • Grade: G29-H • Department: Head Start • Work Day: 190 days • Reports to: Director of Early Learning • FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

About the Role

The Head Start Child Development Specialist (190-day classified teacher) delivers standards-based instruction across all developmental domains, assesses student progress, adjusts instruction to meet individual needs, and maintains a responsive, well-organized classroom environment where students achieve success.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or equivalent coursework (Bachelor’s degree preferred)
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint, Background Clearance, Sex Offender Registry Check, Child Abuse Registry Check
• Valid Georgia driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Health Examination
• Bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish preferred
• Experience working with children under age five and their families

Skills

• Preparing and maintaining accurate records
• Using pertinent software applications
• Organizational skills
• Basic math (fractions, percentages, ratios)
• Reading manuals, writing documents, and presenting information
• Analyzing situations to define issues and draw conclusions
• Knowledge of child development stages, age-appropriate activities, lesson plan requirements, and methods for motivating children
• Awareness of codes, regulations, and laws related to student counseling
• Scheduling activities, meetings, and events
• Gathering, collating, and classifying data
• Using basic job-related equipment
• Adapting to changing priorities
• Providing direction and leadership
• Communicating with persons of varied backgrounds
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Establishing and maintaining constructive relationships

Responsibilities

• Implement instructional programming and adapt classroom work to address individualized learning needs within established lesson plans
• Advise parents/guardians of student progress through parent-teacher meetings, home visits, and other communications
• Collect and analyze data (screening, formative, and summative assessments) to adjust instructional strategies
• Attend meetings and in-service presentations to acquire and convey job-related knowledge
• Develop weekly standards-based lesson plans to implement designated curriculum and meet federal, state, and local requirements
• Implement security measures and wellness protocols (active supervision, sanitizing surfaces, handwashing, potty training, safety drills, care plans)
• Respond to emergency situations (security, health, weather-related) and direct to appropriate personnel
• Maintain learning and play spaces to ensure a safe, supportive environment
• Ensure family-style meal service complies with federal regulations
• Manage assigned projects and activities to meet established timelines and objectives
• Organize age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities to ensure student participation
• Prepare materials for substitute teachers, documents for parents/guardians, and data entry (Child Plus, Teaching Strategies, ASQ, Infinite Campus)
• Provide ongoing feedback to inform supervisors, teachers, and parents of student progress
• Establish positive relationships with families to build trust and parental confidence through interactive Parent And Child Together (PACT) activities, home-based PACT activities, and progress on family goals
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences four times a year (two at school, two in the home) and additional conferences as needed
• Improve school attendance and engage families in school activities
• Perform other related duties to ensure the efficient functioning of the work unit

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods
• Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions
• Speech: Ability to communicate clearly in person and over the phone or computer
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to grasp and manipulate small objects, use fingers, twist/bend wrists and elbows, extend arms, and lift objects
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull, and/or carry objects up to 50 pounds frequently; physically restrain parties in conflict
• Environmental: Ability to work indoors, handle constant interruptions, work cooperatively and independently, and adapt to changing priorities
• Mental: Ability to read, write, interpret, and apply information at a moderately complex level; perform math at a high school proficiency level; process information quickly; follow verbal procedures; manage stress
• Remote Work: Ability to adapt between various in-person working environments
• Additional Demands: Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; significant fine finger dexterity. Job requires 10% sitting, 40% walking, and 50% standing