Child Development Specialist (Substitute)

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff, performs a variety of duties involved in planning and implementing instructional and recreational activities appropriate for the developmental needs and skills of children enrolled at an assigned Child Development Center; communicates effectively with parents, other staff members, and other professionals regarding health, safety, physical, social, emotional, and cognitive issues affecting each child; and ensures a safe, nurturing learning environment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey level class within the Child Development Specialist series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Senior Child Development Specialist in that the latter position serves as Assistant Manager/Director and as a lead supervisor over lower-level child development staff at the assigned Center. Employees at the Child Development Specialist level are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit and are expected to perform duties with minimal direction and immediate supervision.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Develop and implement daily, weekly, and monthly curriculum in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Child Development Center and taking into consideration the needs and skills of the children; design and implement recreational and instructional activities that allow the optimum development of each child in the areas of social, emotional, physical, creative, and intellectual growth and provide each child with the pre-skills necessary for future academic and recreational success and satisfaction.

Instruct and supervise children involved in various Center activities including recreational and educational programs; provide a professional and nurturing environment; listen attentively to children; encourage children’s confidence and self-esteem; apply appropriate guidance and disciplinary actions; model appropriate social and emotional behavior.

Provide activities and settings in which children can develop a variety of skills including logical thought, short and long term memory, hand-eye coordination, fine and gross motor skills, creativity, spatial awareness, self-esteem, enhanced language and vocabulary acquisition, familiarity with technology, and enjoyment of stories, art, and music.

Encourage and develop socialization skills in children at the Center; encourage the development of self-help skills, empathy for others, accepting responsibility for one’s actions, team spirit, and other appropriate behavior in different settings through modeling; provide appropriate activities that utilize socialization skills; create play scenarios to allow children opportunities to practice skills; encourage children’s participation in the care and feeding of classroom pets.

Provide activities that utilize all modes of learning including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

Maintain children’s health and safety at the Center; monitor and convey potential health and safety hazards to appropriate staff; administer basic first aid and CPR as necessary; report accidents to supervisors and parents.

Assist in the housekeeping functions of the center including the cleaning and feeding of animals.

Implement sound nutritional practices; plan, order, and prepare snacks; supervise meal and snack times and encourage appropriate social behavior in these settings.

Establish and maintain relationships with children, parents, co-workers, and other professionals; value parental input and enlist their cooperation; effectively communicate with parents regarding the development of their children; seek assistance from other related professionals as necessary for specific situations.

Observe, record, assess, and evaluate each child’s level of activity, performance, behavior, and stage of development and skill; utilize a variety of techniques to create a profile of each child’s development and to evaluate/assess the effectiveness of the curriculum/program offered; communicate results of assessments effectively to parents, co-workers, and other related professionals on issues as necessary; provide daily, monthly, and annual verbal and written communication with parents using informal talks, notice boards, newsletters, and other mechanisms; schedule and participate in parent conferences and special education IEP’s; make referrals to other professionals as appropriate.

Prepare and distribute newsletters and reminders to parents regarding special events, conferences, or other program activities at the assigned Center.

Select, order, and design appropriate materials, supplies, and equipment for all relevant ages and different levels of development and skill; sort, clean, and inventory all equipment and supplies.

Model developmentally appropriate practices and serve as a mentor teacher for students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program, students from other college disciplines and programs, and ancillary staff; conduct orientations and explain Center policies and procedures; teach using approved policies, practices, guidelines, and theories; supervise students assigned to classroom who are fulfilling course requirements and oversee ancillary staff duties.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings, conferences, and workshops; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of early childhood education; incorporate new developments as appropriate.

Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Basic operations, services, and activities of a full-service child development center.

Principles and applications of child development theory.

Principles and practices of curriculum planning.

Age appropriate and emergent curriculum.

Methods and techniques of instructional and recreational program development.

Appropriate activities for children of various age and skill level to develop each child socially, emotionally, intellectually, creatively, and physically to his/her fullest potential.

Socialization techniques.

Child development assessment techniques.

Principles of basic first aid and CPR.

Potential safety issues within a group care setting.

Basic nutritional requirements for young children.

Principles and procedures of record keeping.

Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations governing the operations and activities of a child development center.

Ability to:

Learn and apply the policies and procedures of the Child Development Center.

Plan, prepare, and implement daily, weekly, and monthly curriculum.

Define and interpret curriculum goals and objectives.

Participate in planning, preparing and implementing daily, weekly, and monthly curriculum.

Develop and implement instructional and recreational activities according to the needs of the children and Center policy.

Instruct and supervise children of various ages involved in Child Development Center activities.

Observe, evaluate, and record child development.

Recognize and define present and potential behavioral and learning problems of children.

Apply appropriate disciplinary action.

Prepare for and conduct parent conferences.

Serve as a mentor teacher to students enrolled in the Early Childhood Development program.

Apply and ensure adherence to pertinent rules and regulations governing the operation of a child development center.

Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the varied racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, academic, socio-economic, and disabled populations of community college students.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Equivalent to two years of college level course work in early childhood education, child development, education, or a related field.

Experience:

One year instructional experience in a child development center.

License or Certificate:

Possession of Fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Child Development Master Teacher Permit.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid C.P.R. Certification.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid basic First Aid Certification.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license and proof of insurability may be required for some positions to drive a District or personal vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed in a child development center; exposure to communicable diseases; subject to noise from children and equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person with children, parents, students, staff, and others. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to assure health and comfort.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a child development center; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate classroom equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; to verbally communicate to exchange information; and to occasionally travel to other offices or locations.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Work Schedule: TBD - Schedule and shift vary and are subject to change in accordance with the department's needs.

Hours per Week: Up to 25

Employment Conditions and Information:

This is a short-term, temporary, hourly Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) assignment, not to exceed 160 days and 960 hours per fiscal year (July 1 st through June 30 th ). Short-term, temporary NBU positions may only be used on an intermittent, seasonal, or project basis. Education Code Section 88003 states "Short-term employee means any person who is employed to perform a service for the district, upon the completion of which, the service required or similar services will not be extended or needed on a continuing basis.”

After successful completion of the onboarding requirements, an individual may be employed by the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) as a short-term, temporary NBU employee. Employment will be on an “if and as needed” basis, as determined by the SOCCCD. The assignment may be shortened or extended at any time, due to departmental needs, with little to no notice. NBU employment is at-will, and either party may terminate this working relationship at any time. Neither party shall be required to provide any reason for the separation. NBU employees shall not have reemployment rights or recourse to petition to be reinstated.

NBU employees are limited to working in a single position for a single department and site (assignments are onsite only).

NBU employees are paid on a monthly basis. The payroll reporting period is from the 1 st of the month to the last day of the month. NBU employees are paid on the 10th of the following month.

Example : For the following reporting period: January 1 st through January 31 st , the NBU employee will be paid on February 10 th .

NBU employees who work more than 1000 hours per fiscal year are required to contribute to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), through payroll deduction. The SOCCCD does not intend to employ NBU employees for more than 960 hours during any fiscal year.

Closing Date/Time: Fri, 30 Jan 2026

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• South Orange County Community College District

• 949.582.4850

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