Child Development Education Specialist - Part-time in Hingham, MA

JCC Greater Boston seeks a Child Development Specialist (CDS) for our Ledgewood Program in Hingham, MA. This is a great part-time position where you can enjoy summers off! Join our reputable team of educators providing valuable direct 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.

The JCC Early Learning Centers strive to nurture children, embrace families, mentor teachers and create a caring and vibrant Jewish community. We recognize that each child’s unique and special abilities and encourage appreciation and acceptance of all. We develop a warm, nurturing relationship with children and their families, which is how we show them that we care deeply about them. We express joy in who they are, helping them to feel safe and secure. Our educational framework, called Sheva (which is the Hebrew word for the number seven) outlines a vision of excellence in Jewish early childhood education, serving as a guidepost to position JCC early childhood centers of excellence in their communities, binding them together across the continent. Sheva: Resource Guide for Classroom Educators is an important guidepost for the work of the Educator. As assigned by the director, responsible for designing curriculum and facilitating short term social skills groups for children, focusing on such skill building as self-regulation, friendship skills, social pragmatics, or other psycho-social or psycho-emotional focus as needed by the population of children at the ELC.

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’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

This is a regular non-exempt position working 20-hours per week during the school year (this is a 10-month work schedule aligned with the school calendar year). Offering a starting payrate of $29.00 per hour.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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 goals, strategies and recommendations, as well as modes and methods of implementation
• Meet with parents, caregivers, and collateral service providers as necessary to discuss the 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
• Provide short-term individual therapy to children or parents on a case by case basis (MSW only).
• Evaluate children using additional assessment tools the CDS is certified to use.
• Use the Sheva elements as guiding principles throughout their work with children, families and teachers.

About JCC Greater Boston

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC 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's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Education and Experience: Requires a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, or a related field and a minimum of two years of experience working with early childhood-aged children in a school setting. A Master’s degree in Social Work, Child Psychology, or a related field is preferred. Experience providing therapeutic interventions for young children, either one-on-one, in small groups, or within the family setting desired.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Skills and Abilities:

• 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

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

JCCGB Perks! Each employee is eligible for a free individual membership to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton – offering virtual and in-person programs including indoor swimming, many fitness classes, and workout facilities, as well as discounts to many JCCGB events, classes, outdoor pool, and more! Complimentary individual membership includes: 

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman
• Access to group fit classes, Arts & Culture adult programming at member rates,
• Discounts on a variety JCCGB's fitness/wellness programs and services
• Free wellness events!
• Discounted child care at JCCGB Early Learning Centers and after-school program
• Discounted JCCGB camp tuition

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

A Great Place to Work! JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

• Supportive colleagues
• Team camaraderie
• How their managers treat them
• Individual autonomy
• Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others
• Pride in working for the JCC
• Program and service quality
• Holding ourselves accountable    

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.