Child Development Specialist I

County of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Sacramento is seeking a Child Development Specialist I to supervise children in a child development center, deliver care and instruction, and ensure their well-being under state regulations. Under direct supervision, incumbents follow a defined framework of policies and procedures.

The current vacancies include permanent full-time and temporary on-call positions with flex scheduling. Work locations include Sacramento Welcome Home sites and Granite Regional Park Youth Room, with

Qualifications

• Twelve post-secondary units in early childhood education or child development completed with passing grades.
• Six post-secondary units in early childhood education or child development completed with passing grades.
• One year of paid or volunteer experience with young children in a center or equivalent environment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise children in a child development center or play care program.
• Assist in care and instructional activities under supervision.
• Ensure children's well-being in accordance with state regulations.

Skills

Child development theories

Program policies and guidelines

Care and supervision of young children

Education

Twelve post-secondary units in early childhood education or child development

Six post-secondary units in early childhood education or child development

One year of paid or volunteer experience with young children

Job description

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 4/28/26, 5/12/26, 6/9/26, 7/14/26, 8/11/26, 9/1/26 (Final)

The Child Development Specialist I supervise children in a child development center or play care program; and/or performs services in the care and instruction of children in a child development center or play care program and ensures their well-being in accordance with State regulations. Under direct supervision, incumbents perform within a well-defined framework of policies and procedures. Incumbents may assist in specific childcare and developmental activities and other higher level duties. As education and experience are gained, greater independence of action is exercised and less detailed supervision is received.

The Child Development Specialist Unit within Sacramento County Child Protective Services is responsible for the direct supervision of dependent youth within two locations. Sacramento Welcome Home and its various locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Granite Regional Park Youth Room daily operations is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The current vacancies are both permanent full-time positions and temporary on-call positions with flexibly scheduled hours and days. This eligible list will be used to fill other vacancies as they become available.

Knowledge of

• Childhood development theories and practices
• Program policies, procedures, and guidelines related to assigned operations and activities
• Principles of care and supervision of young children

Ability to

• Understand and carry out instructions in both oral and written form
• Understand, speak, read, and write English at a level sufficient for successful job performance
• Report information and data completely and accurately
• Interact effectively and positively with diverse and multi-cultural individuals including young children

Minimum Qualifications

Twelve post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units of early childhood education or child development, completed with passing grades at a college or university, and one year of paid or volunteer experience with young children in a children's center or in a comparable group learning environment.

OR

Six post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units of early childhood education or child development, completed with passing grades at a college or university.

Note: Completion of six additional post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units of early childhood education or child development within one year of hire date, completed with passing grades at a college or university.

Note: Failure to complete the additional units within one year of hire date may be cause for release from probation in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rules.

AND

One year of paid or volunteer experience with young children in a children's center or in a comparable group learning environment.

See Special Requirements

Note: The word "experience" referenced in the minimum qualifications means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click or speak to someone in our office before the final filing or cut-off date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements

Education Requirement: Completed units shall include courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum.

Background/Criminal History: Candidates will be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.

Driver's License: A valid California Driver's License, Class C is required as staff transports children on field trips. County vehicles are used for field trips. Failure to maintain the appropriate valid California Driver's License required constitutes cause for termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4

Minimum Age Requirement: Candidates must be 18 years of age.

Physical Characteristics: With or without the use of aids; sufficient vision to read printed material; sufficient hearing to hear normal and telephone conversation; ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation; sufficient manual dexterity to write, use telephone or business machines; sufficient physical strength and mobility to drive a car, walk and run with students, and lift, restrain, and control children weighing up to 45 pounds.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months.

Contact Information

County of Sacramento

Department of Personnel Services

Employment Services Division

700 H Street, Room 4667

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone [phone]; 7-1-1 California Relay Service

Email [e-mail]

Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667

www.SacCountyJobs.net

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit: Reasonable Accommodation Requests - Job Applicant Instructions