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

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

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Staff recognition programs

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, CT is hiring a Child Development Specialist to join a multidisciplinary team. You will support treatment, supervise daily routines, and reinforce coping strategies in a 24-bed PRTF setting.

Starting hourly rate is $20.50 with differential pay for evening hours (3 PM–7 AM). A HS diploma and driver’s license are required; relevant certifications are preferred. This role emphasizes trauma-informed care and family-centered outcomes.

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.

Responsibilities

• Support 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 physical and emotional safety.
• Builds therapeutic relationships to support emotional regulation and prosocial skills.
• Transports clients to appointments or community activities.

Education

High School Diploma / related degree

Medication Administration Certification

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)

First Aid & CPR (American Red Cross)

Defensive Driving

Safe Food Handling

Situational Awareness

Risking Connection

Job description

The Village for Families and Children

Job Tracking ID: Job Tracking ID: 512620-916582

Job Location: Hartford, CT

Job Level: Job Level: Any

Level of Education: High School/GED

Job Type: Full-Time/Regular

Years of Experience: Years of Experience: Any

Starting Date: Starting Date: ASAP

Salary: Salary: 20.50

Work Hours: Work Hours: 40

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 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 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). https://thevillage.org/careers/our-benefits/

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.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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