Child Development Specialist- Eagle House (Tues-Sat 2:30pm-11pm)

The Village for Families & Children; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff recognition

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

The Village for Families & Children in Hartford, CT seeks a Child Development Specialist to join Eagle House, a 24-bed psychiatric residential facility for youth ages 6-12. You will support treatment and education for trauma-affected children within a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed care, emotional regulation, daily routine supervision, and activities, with responsibilities including supervising daily activities, transporting clients, and building trusting

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; higher degrees preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Experience in human services or with children with special needs preferred.
• Knowledge of child development and trauma impact.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong cultural competence with diverse populations.
• Ability to stay calm and respond safely in crises.
• Physically able to supervise children and perform duties including holds when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Supports treatment and educational needs of children with trauma-related challenges.
• Implements therapeutic behavior management strategies.
• Teaches coping skills aligned with treatment goals.
• Oversees daily routines and safety.
• Facilitates recreational group activities.
• Transports clients to appointments and community activities.
• Builds therapeutic relationships to support emotional regulation and prosocial skills.
• Works as a key member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Crisis response

Stress management

Cultural competence

Child development knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Our Mission.

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Job Description

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for six consecutive years withnationaldistinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you're joining an organization that's just as committed to your success as we are to those we serve.

Starting hourly rate $20.50 per hour with differentialpaygiven for hours worked between 3 PM-7 AM.

Shift schedule: Tues-Sat 2:30pm-11pm((Scheduled for 8.5 hours including a 30 minute break).

About Eagle House

Program Overview

• 24-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) serving children ages 6-12
• Functions as a step-down or diversion from inpatient hospitalization
• Serves youth with severe emotional and behavioral challenges related to significant trauma
• Average length of stay: ~4 months
• Goal: stabilize youth and prepare them for transition to community-based care, family, or foster placement
• Provides intensive, trauma-informed care focused on relationship-building and skill development
• Services include:
• Psychiatry and nursing evaluations
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Case management
• Therapeutic recreation
• Special education services
• Emphasis on helping youth build emotional regulation, coping skills, and positive interactions with peers and adults

Position Overview - Child Development Specialist

• Key member of the multidisciplinary treatment team
• Supports treatment and educational needs of children with trauma-related challenges
• Implements therapeutic behavior management strategies
• Teaches and reinforces healthy coping skills aligned with treatment goals
• Oversees daily routines (e.g., hygiene, meals, structure)
• Facilitates and participates in recreational group activities
• Provides continuous supervision to ensure physical and emotional safety
• Builds therapeutic relationships to support emotional regulation, prosocial skill development, and overall behavioral functioning
• Transports clients to appointments or to and from community activities

Employee Benefits & Engagement

• Staff recognition programs, including awards and incentives for staff of the month, perfect attendance, and appreciation events throughout the year
• Tuition reimbursement
• Ongoing coaching, training, and professional development obligitie

Required Experience

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred
• Valid driver's license required
• Experience in human services or working with children with special needs preferred
• Knowledge of child development and the impact of trauma, abuse, and neglect
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Strong cultural competence and ability to work with diverse populations
• Ability to remain calm, manage stress, and respond safely in crisis or emergency situations
• Physically able to supervise children and perform job duties, including physical interventions (holds) when necessary (with or without reasonable accommodation)

Required Certifications (or Willingness To Obtain)

• Medication Administration Certification
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
• First Aid & CPR (American Red Cross)
• Defensive Driving
• Safe Food Handling
• Situational AwarenessRisking Connection

Benefits

Our benefits package supports your whole life with comprehensive health coverage, generous paid time off, and employer matched retirement savings. We also invest in your growth through tuition assistance (Loan Forgiveness Program – NHSC, tuition reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment). https://thevillage.org/careers/our-benefits/

Keyword: Multidisciplinary teamwork Trauma informed care Behavior management Coping skills training Daily living support Recreational facilitation Continuous supervision Therape