Child Development Specialist

About the Role

At Positive Development, we work one-on-one with autistic children, helping them build communication, social, and daily living skills through play-based, relationship-focused interactions. This role is deeply rewarding but requires patience, emotional maturity, and commitment. You’ll be actively coaching, connecting, and helping children grow while gaining experience relevant for careers in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, education, counseling, medicine, and health.

We’re especially excited to meet candidates who are passionate about working with children and teens, curious about human development and learning, patient, empathetic, enthusiastic, reliable, and comfortable working directly with families in a home-based setting. Great fits include education majors, psychology students, pre-meds, nursing students, OT/SLP hopefuls, behavior technicians, camp counselors, teacher’s assistants, childcare providers, direct support professionals, and caregivers.

Responsibilities

• Work one-on-one with children in their homes and/or center-based settings to build 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.
• Track progress by documenting session notes and goal outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with clinicians and supervisors to build clinical skills and confidence.
• Learn how evidence-based developmental care works in real life, not just in textbooks.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (must be 18+).
• Valid driver’s license + reliable transportation (30–40 min drive radius).
• Ability to complete physical tasks, including:
  • Playing on the floor/ground for up to two-three hours per session.
  • Lifting/carrying up to 40 lbs.
  • Sitting, kneeling, crouching, or moving quickly to ensure child safety.
• Strong communication skills and professionalism with families and teammates.

Training, Growth, and Career Development

We invest in you because strong clinicians start with strong support. You don’t need to be an expert—we’ll train you.

• Paid New Hire Training.
• Ongoing coaching and mentorship from expert clinicians.
• Opportunities for role progression, pay increases, and performance bonuses.
• Exposure to a cutting-edge model of autism care with measurable outcomes.
• Strong performers may request letters of recommendation for graduate or professional programs.

Pay

• Direct Pay: $22–$28/hour (based on experience and education).
• Training/Admin Pay: $20/hour.
• Paid drive time + mileage reimbursement (IRS rate) between clients.

Schedule

• Part-time schedules: 3, 4, or 5 days per week M-F (most available hours are 3pm-8pm).
• Or Saturday and Sunday (most available hours are between 9a-3pm).

Benefits and Perks

• $1000 Referral Bonus.
• Monthly Technology Stipend.
• Paid drive time at admin rate + mileage reimbursement between clients.
• Paid training.

Employment is contingent upon clearing a background check and successful completion of training.