Child Development Specialist (Sun-Thurs 2:30p-11p)

The Village for Families and Children; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, CT is seeking a Child Development Specialist to join a multidisciplinary treatment team. The role focuses on supporting behavioral health care for children and families in a residential-treatment context.

Starting hourly rate is 20.50 with differential pay for hours from 3 PM to 7 AM. The shift is 2:30-11:00 PM, designed to cover critical after-school and evening care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field is a plus.
• 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).

Responsibilities

• 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 (hygiene, meals, structure).
• Facilitates and participates in recreational group activities.
• Provides continuous supervision to ensure safety.
• Builds therapeutic relationships to support emotional regulation and prosocial skills.
• Transports clients to appointments or community activities.

Skills

Driver's license

Human services experience

Trauma-informed care

Crisis management

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Cultural competence

Education

High school diploma

College degree preferred

Job description

The Village for Families and Children

Salary: 20.50

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.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for six consecutive years with national distinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you're joining an organization that's just as

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

Shift schedule: 2:30-11:00 pm (scheduled for 8.5 hours with a .5 break

ABOUT EAGLE HOUSE

Program Overview

• 24-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) serving children ages 612
• 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 opportunitie

Experience and Skills

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field is a plus
• 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 Awareness
• Risking Connection

Job 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).

The Village for Families and Children is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.