Program Specialist - Early Childhood

Job Title: Part-Time Program Program Specialist - Early Childhood 

Details: Hourly, 8–12 hours per week; opportunity for growth up to 20 hours/week with successful launch of a fall preschool program

Reports to: Program Director, Southeast Michigan Site

Children's Healing Centers (CHC) ( are the nation's first recreational centers for kids with weak immune systems. With sites in Ypsilanti Township and Grand Rapids, Michigan, we provide social and emotional healing in a germ-free environment. The Centers are safe havens for kids ages 0 to 26, and their families, to step away from the stress of a complex medical diagnosis to just have fun! We break down the barriers of isolation and make play possible.

The Program Specialist will:
Design and Facilitate Center Programs

• Design developmentally appropriate program curriculum for children, teens, young adults, and caregivers.
• Facilitate programs in a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment.
• Adapt activities based on group size, participant needs, and age ranges.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers to deliver quality programming.
  
  Can you bring creativity and structure to programs while keeping participants engaged? Can you adjust your approach for different ages and abilities?

Engage and Support Members

• Build relationships with children, teens, young adults, and caregivers through play, conversation, and attentive care.
• Create a positive, inclusive environment that encourages participation and connection.
• Serve as a role model for kindness, respect, and enthusiasm.

Do you enjoy connecting with people of all ages? Can you create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and valued?

Collaborate with the CHC Team

• Assist in planning future programs and activities.
• Communicate program needs feedback to leadership.
• Support special events, community engagement activities, and other duties as needed.

Are you flexible and willing to pitch in wherever needed on a small, dedicated team?

Qualifications:

• Ability to work evenings and weekends (required).
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Experience designing and facilitating programs for youth and families, with a special emphasis on early childhood eduation 
• Ability to engage participants across a wide range of ages.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Office 365 and related software preferred.
• Physical ability to position oneself at children's level, move throughout the Center, and lift/move 25–45 lbs.

Key Characteristics for CHC staff:

• Welcoming and inclusive of everyone
• Passionate about serving immune-compromised children and their families
• Relational, trustworthy, and able to connect with both kids and adults
• Willing to do whatever is needed to make the organization a success
• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize work independently
• Comfortable learning and executing tasks outside of immediate expertise
• Team-oriented and collaborative
• Able to handle sensitive information with integrity and confidentiality

Children's Healing Center is an equal opportunity employer.