Location and Job Title:

Child Development Specialist
JCC Greater Boston
333 Nahanton St
Newton, MA 02459

Principal Responsibilities:

The Ledgewood Program's Child Development Specialist (CDS) provides direct service and consultation services to children, parents, preschool staff and teachers at the Early Learning Centers of the JCC. The CDS works in conjunction with and as a liaison to outside collaterals, i.e. private or public agencies, schools, early intervention, and/or specialty services in order to help the child's reach their highest potential emotionally, socially, and cognitively. The CDS works closely with teaching teams and directors to facilitate developmentally appropriate practices within the Sheva Framework in a classroom or therapeutic setting. This 30-40 hour position begins February 1, 2022 and will be onsite in Newton. It will run for a 42 week school season.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work directly with parents, teachers, and staff to support children in the classroom. Serves as a partner with a peer Child Development Specialist.
• Identify strategies to help children with areas of special needs including but not limited to developmental delays, gross and fine motor, speech, transitions and behavior.
• Develop written individual educational plans as they pertain to the ELC for children that clearly state strategies and recommendations, modes and methods of implementation, and goals.
• Meet with parents, caregivers, and collateral service providers as necessary to discuss progress, goals, and objectives of children.
• Closely monitor identified children's progress and review progress notes or changes in goals during regularly scheduled meetings with teachers, parents, collaterals and/or other relevant staff.
• Keep and maintain anecdotal records, necessary forms, progress reports, parent contact summaries, end-of-the-year summaries and other reports pertaining to children, staff, and/or classrooms.
• Be a resource to parents, caregivers and staff regarding topics of typical or atypical child development.
• Use resources and referral skills to assist parents in identifying outside services to support their children's development, including but not limited to Early Intervention, School Systems, Developmental Pediatricians, Mental Health Agencies, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, or Neuropsychologists.
• Work collaboratively and continuously with systems involved in ELC children's care such as local Early Intervention and/or School Systems or private agencies to meet common goals.

TO APPLY

JCC Greater Boston welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds who meet the requirements specified above. If you want to share your talents with a great team, co-creating a thriving, dynamic organization which is devoted to community building and lasting impact, please send a cover letter and your resume to iherscovici@jccgb.org

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's Level degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Social Work or related field.
• Two or more years of experience in related field. Experience in early childhood teaching preferred.
• Strong organizational, communications and time management skills with attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills including customer service and the ability to work as part of a high functioning team. Able to educate with compassion and sensitivity.
• Analytical - able to translate child specific needs and goals to well documented action plans and support team in enacting them
• Knowledgeable about community resources available to help support children and families.
• JCC Greater Boston requires that new employees be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at time of hire. The JCC will consider requests for medical or religious exemption that do not pose undue hardship or a direct threat to health or safety

Salary:

$35,000 - $45,000

Agency Information:

The JCC Greater Boston values include: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration and Transformation. The agency provides a variety of programs and services to children and adults in the Greater Boston Jewish community including: Early Learning Centers, summer camps, health and wellness programs, family engagement programs and cultural activities. The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs or background.

Our vision is to create a vibrant and evolving Jewish community where everyone belongs. Our mission is to be at the heart of that community by:

• creating a thriving community that nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships,
• welcoming a growing and increasingly diverse set of individuals and families from all over Greater Boston,
• supporting the building of unique identities rooted in Jewish values and deeper connections to Jewish life,
• nourishing minds, bodies, and spirits through dynamic, innovative, and accessible experiences, and
• expanding engagement by partnering closely with other organizations to ensure the continuing vitality of our community as whole.

COVID SAFETY

JCC Greater Boston takes the welfare and safety of staff and children very seriously. Over 96% of our staff have been vaccinated. We have aligned all of our operating procedures with guidance from the CDC, DEEC (Department of Early Education and Care) and the local and state Departments of Public Health. Our practices include ensuring proper physical distancing, sanitation, hygiene, and use of face coverings to promote the health of our staff and program participants.