Child Development Specialist I, II or III

Job Posting Title

Agency

Supervisory Organization

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Job Type

Compensation

Why you’ll love it here!

RESPECT. COLLABORATION. SERVICE. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is committed to leading Oklahoma to prosperity through health. Our mission is to protect and promote health, prevent disease and injury, and cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can thrive. Check out why we are passionate about public health and believe it is the career for you!!!

Job Description

Location: Purcell - 919 North Ninth Ave.

Salary:

Level I: up to $26.44 / hourly, based on education and experience

Level II: up to $28.36 / hourly, based on education and experience

Level III: up to $31.25 / hourly, based on education and experience

Full Time /Part Time: Part Time

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday

Primary Hours: Hours may vary

Position Description:

SoonerStart is Oklahoma’s early intervention program designed to meet the needs of families with infants and toddlers (ages birth to 3 years old) with developmental delays and/or disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The program builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members to enhance infants or toddler’s learning and development through everyday learning opportunities. 

The Child Development Specialists in the SoonerStart program is responsible for providing individual and family services to increase parenting skills and enhance the developmental potential of young children. This includes assessing and/or screening development in young children; coaching and modeling skills for families to implement to enhance their child’s opportunities in cognitive, personal-social, language, and motor development; serving as a member of an interdisciplinary team to monitor the effectiveness of child development services. 

This position is responsible for providing developmental and educational services in the areas of child development.  Services are provided in the child’s natural environment; settings in which children typically spend time, for example, home or childcare.  Services include screenings, evaluations, intervention and parent education.  

Position Responsibilities /Essential Functions

The functions within this job family will vary by level; responsibility but may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Educate parents and professionals in the area of child development through materials and curricula developed for this purpose. 
• Collaborate with families and caregivers to identify goals, develop strategies and appropriate effective family intervention services plan. 
• Participating as a member of an interdisciplinary team in completing assessments and developing Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs). 
• 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. 
• Provides early intervention services in the child and family’s natural environment (home, childcare, park etc.) 
• Assist in the selection, preparation, and distribution of materials on child development which will further the purpose of this program. 
• Provide individuals and families prevention information on topics related to parenting and child development. 
• Provide referrals to individuals and families for relevant services to assist in achieving goals and enhancing their well-being. 
• Collaborate 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. 
• Initiate and implement steps necessary for smooth transition services from the early intervention program 
• Participates in family interview. 
• Conducts intakes, including client interviews, and conducts assessments to make appropriate recommendations for services. 
• Being present at the office is an essential function of the job.
• Other duties as assigned.

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:

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. In addition, for Level II positions two years of post-master’s degree experience working in the area of child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education are required as well as 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. In addition, for Level III positions three years of post-master’s degree experience working in the area of child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education are required as well as certification as a Child and Parenting Specialist (CCPS) through the Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition (OFRC) within one year of employment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition Certification requirements: 

• Child Development Specialist II-III: If certification is not held at time of employment, the Certified Child and Parenting Specialist (CCPS) through the Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition (OFRC) must be completed within one year of employment. 

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:

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.  Experience and ability to assess children’s development and to provide educational programs to 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 III:

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.  Experience and ability to assess children’s development and to provide educational programs to 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. Plus knowledge of the principles, practices and ethics of parent education, early childhood education, or early childhood special education; of training and instructional techniques and their application; of the use of materials and curricula used in parenting education, early childhood education, or early childhood special education programs. Ability is required 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 the child’s natural environment (home or childcare setting) or in an office environment with climate-controlled settings and exposure to moderate noise level. Telework and the provision of services remotely may also be required.  While performing the duties of the job, employee is required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms and may lift up to 35 pounds.   

Travel Requirements 

Applicants must be willing to perform all job-related travel associated with any of these positions.  Occasional in-state overnight and weekend travel may be required. 

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.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

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