Child Development Specialist (1 vacancy + 6 month Eligibility List)

Under the direction of the Director, Child Development Center, perform a variety of instructional and clerical duties designed to assist the Director in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate programs and services for children 12 months to 5 years of age, in the McCarthy Family Child Development and Training Center which includes supervision of Early Childhood Education lab students, student workers, volunteers and groups of children; plan, develop and implement lesson plans for assigned groups of children.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Provide continuous supervision of assigned groups of children to assure safety and welfare; refer ill or injured children to the Director. Plan, oversee and implement an age appropriate children's program in accordance with state regulations and the policies of the Child Development Center; ; prepare daily lesson plans and design, plan and implement developmentally age-appropriate curriculum according to state funding terms and conditions and center goals and objectives. Observe the behavior and health of children continually throughout the period of attendance; provide and promote appropriate guidance and discipline techniques to children; document and collect skill samples in accordance with state Desired Results forms, for use in children's assessments, evaluations and lesson plans; maintain a portfolio on each child. Provide direction and oversee student workers and lab students in the classroom and in assuring the smooth coordination of classroom activities and student/child relationships; support staff and lab students in the implementation of lesson plans; plan, direct and evaluate the work of College students assigned to the learning laboratory. Under the Director's supervision, communicate with parents on a daily basis, gathering input and giving feedback on the child's progress; conduct bi-annual parent conferences sharing pertinent information in the child's growth and development based on the analysis of the Desired Results Development Profile; conduct special conferences as required. Perform a variety of administrative duties involved in daily attendance, meal counts, medications control and others; operate a computer and a variety of software applications to create documents, planning forms and learning materials. Perform housekeeping tasks and maintain a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment that is inviting and supportive of ethnic, cultural, and family diversity; maintain, and store equipment and supplies used in the course of daily activities. Set-up and maintain physical environments in accordance with the state standards, Environmental Rating Scales, adapting to the current needs and interest of the children; maintain current inventory of classroom supplies; open and close facility as necessary; plan, provide and evaluate indoor and outdoor learning environments. Administer health checks to students upon arrival at the Center. Participate in staff meetings, staff development activities and workshops. Communicate effectively orally and in writing. In the temporary absence of the Director, serve as acting director and designated contact person. Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Fundamentals and basic subject matter, terminology, techniques, equipment and materials used in the early childhood education, general child growth and development principles. Developmentally appropriate curriculum practices for infants, toddlers and preschoolers including: child development theory, curriculum, group and individual teaching techniques Methods and procedures of preparing instructional materials. Methods of observing, evaluating and recording child behavior. Child care abuse reporting regulations. Community resources available to parents. Effective customer services skills, how to compose effective correspondence and basic record-keeping. Applicable health and safety regulations. 9. Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Ability to:

Plan and direct the activities of a child development center. Apply methods and procedures to be followed in an instructional situation. Provide lead direction to short-term staff and/or student workers. Apply theoretical concepts of child development to concrete situations. Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity and understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, disability and ethnic backgrounds of students, staff and the community. Operate a computer and a variety of software applications to create documents, planning forms and learning materials. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Learn, interpret and apply departmental and District policies, rules and regulations; Lift and carry children; understand and follow oral and written instructions; Work independently with little direction at a variety of assignments; Work cooperatively with others. Administer basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Provide input to evaluation of CDE students working in the classroom as a laboratory assignment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to: Option 1: Graduation from high school supplemented by twenty-four (24) units early childhood education/child development (ECE/CD) including core courses AND • Sixteen (16) General Education (GE) units AND Two (2) years of experience as a teacher, tutor, instructional aid; or completion of an associate degree or higher in early childhood education/child development or related field, including three (3) semester units supervised field experience in ECE setting; or the equivalent AND Three (3) theory units specific to the infant/toddler in early childhood education and development Option 2: Complete an associate degree or higher in early childhood education or child development or a related field. Complete three semester units or four quarter units of supervised field experience in an early 3 childhood education setting School-Age Emphasis under this option may be obtained by completion of an associate degree or higher in school-age education, including three semester units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education setting.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a current Pediatric First Aid and CPR Certificate. Possession of, or eligible to obtain a Child Development Teacher permit, Child Development Master Teacher permit, or Site Supervisor permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, in compliance with state regulations. Permit must be valid for the duration of employment. Position may require food handler's permit within the first six months of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environment:

Work is performed in a child development center with both indoor and outdoor areas; exposure to bodily fluids and communicable diseases; subject to noise from children; frequent interruptions.

Physical:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a child development center; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach and twist; to life, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate classroom equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and find coordination; to verbally communicate and exchange information; and to occasionally travel to other locations.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Classified Bargaining Unit Position Classified Staff Salary Range 10 This is a grant funded position

Retirement System:

CalPERS (upon meeting eligibility criteria)

SCHEDULE & LOCATION

This position is scheduled 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. The schedule is Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The primary location is Indio Campus. The schedule and location are subject to change based on District need.

REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS

To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded:

Online Application:

All sections of the College of the Desert District online application must be completed including education and experience.

Resume:

Must include length of employment (month/year start and end dates) for each employer.

Cover Letter:

Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.

College Transcripts:

For consideration of college course work, transcripts must be submitted. Academic transcripts of all college level coursework showing date degree awarded from an accredited institution. For consideration, degree(s) must be awarded at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Successful candidate must provide official transcripts upon hire. Non-U.S. transcripts must include a certified U.S. evaluation (i.e., NACES agency: www.naces.org) at the time of application. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.

REQUIRED IN YOUR APPLICATION

List of References :

References should include at least two supervisors and one colleague. Please include name, title, email and current phone numbers. Letters of reference will not be accepted in lieu of the required List of References.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA. Employment is contingent on residence in California. Incomplete application packages will not be considered. All submitted materials become the property of College of the Desert Community College District and will not be returned or copied and will be considered for this position only. Salary placement will be contingent on all materials submitted for this position. Applicant bears the sole responsibility for ensuring that the application package is complete when submitted. All travel arrangements will be at applicant's expense. Application materials must be received by the deadline. Application materials received after the closing deadline will not be accepted. For online application, information, and instructions, visit the College of the Desert job opportunities website at https:// www.collegeofthedesert.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/career-opportunities.php or call (760) 773-2529.

FAQs:

For additional information, click here: Recruitment - Frequently Asked Questions .

TIMELINES

For consideration, please apply by April 2, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. Interviews are tentatively scheduled in-person on April 29, 2026. Tentative schedule is subject to change based on District need.