Child Development Specialist - Lab School Mentor & Educator

Heartland Community College; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Heartland Community College is seeking a full-time Child Development Specialist for our nationally accredited Child Development Lab. The role supports children ages 6 weeks to 5 years and serves as a lab school for future early childhood professionals.

You will work in a co-teaching team in mixed-age infant/toddler or preschool settings year-round, mentoring college students and collaborating with staff to maintain high-quality programming and accreditation.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in child development, early childhood education, or related field (transcript required).
• Eligibility for Gateways ECE Credential Level 4 within 12 months of employment.
• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or related field (preferred).
• Eligibility for Gateways ECE Credential Level 5 (preferred).
• 2+ years of early childhood classroom experience.
• Experience working with Project Approach.
• Experience supervising student or volunteer assistants.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Assess and document children's development to inform curricular decisions aligned with accreditation standards.
• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing indoor and outdoor learning environment.
• Conduct annual screenings, communicate results, and collaborate with families and service providers.
• Maintain daily communication to inform families of routines, events, and involvement opportunities.
• Mentor and train college students completing field experiences in the laboratory school.
• Collaborate with co-teachers and staff to ensure high-quality programming and accreditation.

Skills

Co-teaching

Family involvement

Curriculum development

Mentoring students

Education

Associate degree in child development/early childhood education

Bachelor’s degree in child development/early childhood education (preferred)

Job description

Heartland Community College is seeking a full-time Child Development Specialist for our nationally accredited Child Development Lab. The role supports children ages 6 weeks to 5 years and serves as a lab school for future early childhood professionals.

You will work in a co-teaching team in mixed-age infant/toddler or preschool settings year-round, mentoring college students and collaborating with staff to maintain high-quality programming and accreditation.