Child Development Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Summary

The Child Development Specialist (CDS) is a vital member of the Early Childhood and Early Intervention team who delivers early intervention and developmental wellness services to children ages 3–5 in preschools, childcare centers, community agencies, and school-based settings. This role focuses on supporting social-emotional learning, developmental milestones, and behavioral health in young children through embedded consultation, behavior coaching, and family engagement. The Specialist works collaboratively with educators, parents, and clinical teams to foster resilience, improve classroom behavior, and ensure children are on a strong path to kindergarten readiness and long-term success.

This individual will be trained in Conscious Discipline , Triple P Parenting , PCIT-Informed Strategies , Mental Health First Aid , and other evidence-based practices relevant to early childhood mental and behavioral health.

Duties

• Provide on-site support in classrooms and community settings through developmental screenings, behavioral observations, and relationship-based coaching aligned with each child’s needs.
• Offer direct consultation and modeling to educators and caregivers to promote self-regulation, pro-social behavior, and trauma-informed care using strategies such as Conscious Discipline and PCIT-Informed tools.
• Conduct or coordinate early mental health assessments and work with families and teams to create action plans addressing developmental, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Deliver family engagement services through parenting support, Triple P parenting sessions, and referrals to appropriate services or evaluations.
• Build trusting partnerships with teachers, families, and community partners to support whole-child wellness.
• Document service delivery in the electronic health record and maintain accurate, timely progress notes per agency guidelines.
• Support parent education events, family groups, and trainings both in-person and virtually as needed.
• Participate in team case reviews, multidisciplinary meetings, community engagement, and professional development activities.
• Maintain compliance with all agency, local, state, and federal requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Champion the agency’s mission to strengthen mental health in early childhood through upstream, preventative interventions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience :

Physical Requirements :

Benefits