Child Development Specialist

SUMMARY: 

The Child Development Specialist will assist the FRC staff in the instructional process, recreational activities, and the execution of FRC and/or programming duties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Through mentorship, develop relationships with the children in the aim of providing support, guidance, and positive interaction and to ease some of the fear, anger and sadness that may result from homeless shelter placement.
• Assess, document, analyze children’s age-appropriate academic, social-emotional, and physical milestone progress and develop individualized strategies to help them continue to grow and learn properly.
• Communicate with all FRC staff regarding observations of children’s growth or regression in all milestone areas.
• Actively monitor children while they are under the supervision of Family Resource Center staff.
• Provide exposure to positive activities, opportunities to learn life skills and positive problem-solving skills.
• Support the Supervisor’s planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate learning activities for children enrolled in Kindergarten through 12^th grade.
• Support Family Resource Center programming and execute weekly calendar of activities, which may include homework help, academic enrichment, physical activities, and field trips.
• Assist in the daily set-up and clean-up of Family Resource Center, including before and after provider activities and events.
• Enter data accurately and as required into the FRC data tracker.
• Performs other assignments or tasks as deemed necessary

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree in education or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years working with children in an educational setting.
• Valid driver license (State of Florida) and clean driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience with assessment of developmental and instructional needs of a wide variety of children in Kindergarten through 12^th grade.
• Experience communicating positively with children and their families.
• Knowledge of social services, counseling and behavior sciences. 
• Overall understanding of the issues affecting our residents. 
• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to be professional, flexible, respectful, and calm. 
• Ability to work well with others. 
• Ability to lead by example.  
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. 
• Computer Literate. 
• Solid social service management skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish and/or English and Creole preferred.