Infant Toddler Specialist Refugee (50023)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Infant Toddler Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

The Infant Toddler Specialist performs duties planning and implementing educational activities for infants and toddlers in the Dream Center that comply with federal performance standards.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, develops, and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for infants and toddlers that meet federal performance standards.
• Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screens and assesses infant and toddler aged children to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.
• Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities for toddlers, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for infants and toddlers.
• Documents children's progress or lack thereof and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Develop positive caregiver relationships with children.
• Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Infant/Toddler Specialist Success Rubric.
• Maintain a comprehensive and on-going portfolio assessment for each child including weekly observations in each area, example of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice or other health conditions, and reports to appropriate nurse.
• Requests supplies and equipment to be ordered for use by children in the classroom.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of the facility.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.
• Attends Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) training yearly.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to UAC children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Other Functions:

• Able to react to change productively and handle other essential tasks as assigned.
• Develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with staff, co-workers, physicians, and youth.
• Maintain Health Information Privacy HIPAA.

NOTE: The above duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, and reach throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, carry, and position infants, toddlers, and program materials weighing up to 45 pounds.
• Ability to safely engage with young children during developmental, educational, and play-based activities.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, tablets, and telephones.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, caregivers, staff, and service providers.
• Visual acuity sufficient to observe child development, maintain awareness of child safety, and complete required documentation.
• Work is performed primarily within a refugee center and associated indoor program areas.
• Regular exposure to active childcare environments with moderate to high noise levels.
• Frequent interaction with infants, toddlers, families, shelter staff, and visitors.
• May have occasional exposure to communicable illnesses common in childcare and congregate living environments.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education:

An Associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education or degree in any field with 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education.

Experience:

• One year experience in teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school, or kindergarten aged children.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Skills:

• Working knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for infant /toddler education.
• Working knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to infant/toddler development.
• Working knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to infant/toddler development.
• Skill in making presentations to groups.
• Skill in verbal communication.
• Ability to resolve conflicts between toddler aged children.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement infant/toddler education curriculums.
• Ability to assume a seated position on the floor for extended periods of time.
• Ability to collect, organize and evaluate data and develop logical conclusions.         
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First Aid.
• Ability to implement safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit:

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.