Child Development Specialist I, II, or III

Child Development Specialist I, II, or III

Agency: Oklahoma State Department of Health

Location: Muskogee - 530 S 34th Street

Salary: up to $53,000.00 / $56,000.00 / $61,000.00 based on education and experience

Full Time / Part Time: Full Time

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday

Primary Hours: 8-5

Position Description:

The Child Development Specialist I / II / III is responsible for serving as an active member of the Child Guidance Team and provide direct services across the continuum of care from promotion, prevention, and intervention to families with children birth up to age 8. Child Guidance is a statewide program that promotes and supports healthy family relationships and child development.

Position Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Conducts groups and workshops to educate parents and professionals in the area of child development through materials and curricula developed for this purpose.
• Conducts parent support groups
• Provides developmental assessments and screenings of young children; teach parents ways to enhance their child's developmental potential.
• Maintains confidential records of services including progress notes and evaluation reports in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Assists in the selection, preparation, and distribution of materials on child development which will further the purpose of this program.
• Provides in-service training in the areas of child development and parenting to staff at Head Starts, day care, preschool programs, or other programs, as necessary.
• Provides individuals and families prevention information on topics related to parenting and child development.
• Provides referrals to individuals and families to relevant services to assist in achieving goals and their well-being.
• Recruits clients for child development programs through contracts with community organizations such as public health clinics, hospitals, child- care centers, civic organizations, pediatricians and the news media.
• Collaborates with other community agencies as well as plans and conducts community wide efforts to promote the health, development, and behavioral well-being of young children and families.

Participates as a member of a Child Guidance Team by staffing individual cases and groups and in developing a service plan pertaining to child development and meeting family goals.

Other Duties:

• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Works effectively in team environment, participating and assisting their peers.

Minimum Qualifications:

Level I:

This is the basic level of the job family where incumbents perform entry-level professional work in performing all the essential functions of a child development specialist in a training status under close supervision.

Requirements at this level consist of completion of a Master's degree in child development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, developmental psychology, or family relations/child development or a master's degree in special education with a minimum of 18 graduate, post graduate, or upper level hours (300 or above) in any of the following areas: typical and atypical infant and toddler development, parent-child relations, positive guidance/discipline strategies with young children, family systems, family relationships, assessment/evaluation, working with parents of exceptional infants and toddlers, and developmentally and individually appropriate early childhood curriculum and instructional practices.

Level II:

This is the career level where incumbents perform all essential functions of a child development specialist at the full performance level practicing a high degree of flexibility in developing and implementing programs to meet individual, family, and group needs.

Requirements at this level consist of completion of a Master's degree in child development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, developmental psychology, or family relations/child development or a master's degree in special education with a minimum of 18 graduate, post graduate, or upper level hours (300 or above) in any of the following areas: typical and atypical infant and toddler development, parent-child relations, positive guidance/discipline strategies with young children, family systems, family relationships, assessment/evaluation, working with parents of exceptional infants and toddlers, and developmentally and individually appropriate early childhood curriculum and instructional practices. Plus, one year of post-master's experience working in the area of child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education and certification as a Child and Parenting Specialist (CCPS) through the Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition (OFRC) within one year of employment.

Level III:

This is the specialist level where the incumbents are assigned responsibilities involving advanced level technical duties in child development. Incumbents at this level perform duties as consultant to other Child Development Specialists and may be designated lead worker.

Requirements at this level consist of completion of a Master's degree in child development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, developmental psychology, or family relations/child development or a master's degree in special education with a minimum of 18 graduate, post graduate, or upper level hours (300 or above) in any of the following areas: typical and atypical infant and toddler development, parent-child relations, positive guidance/discipline strategies with young children, family systems, family relationships, assessment/evaluation, working with parents of exceptional infants and toddlers, and developmentally and individually appropriate early childhood curriculum and instructional practices. Plus, two additional years of post-master's experience working in the areas of child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education.

Application Requirements:

• If education, certification or licensure is required to meet qualifications, applicants must provide documentation at the time of application.
• All applicants are subject to a background check and must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Valued Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Level I:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of typical and atypical child development from birth through adolescence; of the skills and techniques for childcare and guidance; of the methods and curricula of early childhood education or early childhood special education; and of community health and welfare resources for children and their parents. Ability is required to work cooperatively and effectively with both professional and non-professional groups and encourage participation in child development and early intervention programs; and to teach child development and parenting skills.

Level II:

Requirements at this level include knowledge of typical and atypical child development from birth through adolescence; of the skills and techniques for child- care and guidance; of the methods and curricula of early childhood education or early childhood special education; and of community health and welfare resources for children and their parents. Ability is required to work cooperatively and effectively with both professional and non-professional groups and encourage participation in child development and early intervention programs; and to teach child development and parenting skills.

Ability to assess children's development and to provide educational programs to parents is required at this level.

Level III:

Requirements at this level include knowledge of typical and atypical child development from birth through adolescence; of the skills and techniques for child-care and guidance; of the methods and curricula of early childhood education or early childhood special education; and of community health and welfare resources for children and their parents. Ability is required to work cooperatively and effectively with both professional and non-professional groups and encourage participation in child development and early intervention programs; and to teach child development and parenting skills. At this level, the ability to assess children's development and to provide educational programs to parents is required. In addition, incumbents must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and to exercise initiative and independent judgment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Work is typically performed in an office environment with climate-controlled settings and exposure to moderate noise level. The provision of services remotely via telehealth may also occur. While performing the duties of the job, employees are required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms and may lift up to 35 pounds. Applicants must be willing to perform all job-related travel associated with this position. Being present in the office is an essential function of this position.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.