Child Development Specialist - Drop-in Classroom

Job Description

Job Description

The Goodwill Excel Center Adult High School is currently seeking an Child Development Specialist for our Norwood Campus, located at 1015 Norwood Park Blvd, Austin, TX 78753.

The Goodwill Excel Center is the first free, public charter high school in Texas that provides adults aged 18-50 the opportunity to earn their high school diploma, complete an in-demand professional certification, and begin post-secondary education. There are seven campuses within the charter district. Two campuses are in Austin: one at the Goodwill Community Center and one in South Austin in partnership with American YouthWorks. The other five campuses are located within correctional facilities across the state. For more information on the Goodwill Excel Center Adult High School, visit https://excelcenterhighschool.org/.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The main responsibility of the Child Development Specialist is to provide exceptional, high-quality care and education to children in the Exploration Center. This role is accountable for ensuring the overall well-being of the children in the center and is committed to supporting the growth and development of each child.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver high-quality early care and education to young children by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities across social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the arts domains.
• Provide a safe and healthy environment.
• Maintain compliance with all Child Care Regulations (CCR), National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and Texas Rising Star (TRS) Standards.
• Oversee and demonstrate appropriate practices.
• Observe and record children's developmental milestones, create portfolios for each child, and maintain both formal and informal assessment records.
• Provide optimal coordination of home and Center in terms of research-based teaching and parenting; schedule and conduct parent/teacher conferences.
• Complete departmental forms such as attendance records, anecdotal records, accident reports, health and safety checks, lesson plans, etc.
• Fulfill mandatory training requirements, including Pediatric First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse Training, Pres-Service Training, and Annual Training, with a minimum of 30 hours each year.
• Convey information in a positive and professional manner, adhering to NAEYC Professional Code of Ethical Conduct.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain a clean and safe physical environment for children (cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing areas).
• Ensures there are ample materials to allow children to make choices and explore a variety of interests.
• Assist parents with stages of development.
• Communicate the center policy to staff and parents.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Child Development Associate (CDA) or one-year certificate in Early Childhood Education or Child Care Administrator Certificate; or twelve higher education credits from an accredited institution in early childhood education child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education.
• Accredited, in-person Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification (must be obtained within 30 days of hire).
• Two years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers in a regulated child-care center/educational facility serving children from birth through kindergarten.
• Must be able to understand work instructions in English.
• Must have a working knowledge of computer programs and accessing internet applications such asMicrosoft Products, Google Applications (Gmail), Excel, Microsoft Word, and Internet Explorer.
• Communication skills to be able to work on a team as well as professionally interact with parents.
• Ability to respond to a child’s needs promptly and courteously.
• Ability to safely lift children throughout the day.
• Ability to perform continuous walking, stooping, standing, and bending for the majority of the shift.
• Exhibit respect for diversity of thought and have the experience to advance it in teams/organizations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Arabic, Pashto, French, and English.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: We provide top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you and your family stay healthy and happy.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with our generous PTO policy, which includes vacation days, personal days, and company-wide holidays.
• Teacher Retirement System & 403b Participation
• Paid Parental Leave: We understand the importance of family. We offer a generous parental leave policy to support you during this significant life event.
• Professional Development Opportunities: We believe in continuous growth! Take advantage of our access to workshops and online courses & tuition/certification support.
• Wellness Programs: Prioritize your well-being with our wellness initiatives, including gym membership and free mental health support.
• Employee Recognition Programs: We celebrate our team members’ achievements with recognition awards.
• Diverse and Inclusive Culture: Join a workplace that values diversity and inclusion, with regular team-building activities and events that foster a sense of belonging.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Goodwill Excel Center is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Background Check Requirement:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check. This may include verification of employment history, education, criminal background, and other information relevant to the position.