Child Development Specialist, Godine Early Learning Center, Newton, MA

About the role

The Child Development Specialist (CDS) at the Godine Early Learning Center, Newton, MA, provides direct support and consultation services to children, parents, preschool staff, and teachers. The CDS works in partnership with colleagues across the team and with outside agencies to support children's emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive developmental support to children and families through assessment, individualized planning, consultation, collaboration, referrals, staff support, and specialized services.
  • Support children 0-3 with infant and toddler programs.
  • Work directly with parents, teachers, and staff to support children in the classroom.
  • Assess all 3-year-old students using the ESI-R standardized screening tool.
  • Review findings with parents, caregivers, and teachers. Refer to specialists as needed.
  • Identify strategies to help children with areas of special needs including, but not limited to, developmental delays, gross and fine motor, speech, transitions, and behaviors.
  • Meet regularly with the classroom teachers to discuss children, their needs, and implementation of developmentally appropriate practices and strategies.
  • Develop written individual educational plans as they pertain to the ELC for children that clearly state strategies, recommendations, modes, and methods of implementation, and goals.
  • Provide families and team members with supportive communications, tools, referrals, and resources.
  • Serve as a resource to parents, caregivers, and staff regarding topics of typical or atypical child development.
  • Use resources and referral skills to assist parents in identifying outside services to support their children's development, including but not limited to Early Intervention, School Systems, Developmental Pediatricians, Mental Health Agencies, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, or Neuropsychologists.
  • Work collaboratively and continuously with systems involved in ELC children's care such as local Early Intervention and/or School Systems or private agencies to meet common goals.
  • Attend early intervention, school system, or other multidisciplinary meetings held to advocate for and discuss the progress and goals of ELC children.
  • Provide training and development to Early Learning Center team members, as needed.
  • Support the Director and/or Assistant Director in the daily running of the Early Learning Center, as needed.
  • Design curriculum and facilitate short-term social skills groups for children, as directed.
  • Create skill-building activities on self-regulation, friendship skills, social pragmatics, or other psycho-social or psycho-emotional focus as needed by the population of children at the ELC.
  • Supervise: None

Requirements

• Requires a Master’s Level degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• Two or more years experience in a related field.
• Experience in early childhood teaching preferred.
• Experience with Early Intervention Program Required.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing, and to exercise initiative and independent judgment.
• Strong organizational skills which are needed to manage this fast-paced environment.
• Mastery of typical and atypical child development, early childhood care, within the Sheva Framework and methods and curricula of early childhood education and special education, or a related field.
• Remain current in new research and methodology in early childhood education.
• Expertise in resource and referral and case management and be able to work cooperatively and effectively with parents and outside professionals.
• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with classroom teachers, parents, and school administrators.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive a motor vehicle and pass a MRV review.

Physical Requirements

• Work environment is fast-paced and energetic.
• The CDS must have the ability to relate well to children, staff, and parents.
• The CDS must have the ability and skills to work with children who present with difficult behavior.
• The CDS is required to be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences.
• Moderate to heavy physical effort that may include frequent sitting, standing, walking; periodic lifting of moderate to heavy children up to 50 lbs.
• The job has an indoor/outdoor work environment; some exposure to environmental extremes.

About JCC Greater Boston

JCC Greater Boston is committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community by nurturing meaningful and lasting relationships. The organization provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends through its network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes. JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In the recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive.

Benefits

• Competitive cost-sharing Health and Dental Insurance
• JCC Sponsored/Paid Health Reimbursement Account
• JCC Sponsored/Paid Group Life Insurance/LTD Coverage
• Generous paid time off supporting a quality work-life balance
• Tax-deferred 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Voluntary Supplemental Vision Insurance
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Life/ADD coverage for you and your family
• AbleAssist Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Norton Cyber Security Program
• LegalEase Insurance program

JCC Greater Boston is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.