Child Development Specialist - Cecil County

The Maryland Rural Development Corporation (MRDC) is a private non-profit organization that provides services in response to the needs of rural, low-income households and communities. MRDC serves as Caroline, Cecil, Harford and Kent Counties’ official Community Action Agency.

The Child Development Specialist’s primary responsibility is providing assistance to teachers regarding curriculum design for appropriate child development and effectively communicating with families.  

Job Responsibilities:

• Oversees the health, safety and well-being of all the children.
• Plans and implements a developmentally appropriate program for infants and toddlers, including screenings, assessments and development of children’s individual classroom plans.
• Demonstrates a sound knowledge of good teaching practices and of child growth and development.

• Conducts screenings and assessments to inform individualized classroom plans.  

• Supports CDA tracking and compliance. 

• Ensures timely and accurate documentation related to immunizations, case notes, medical/dental follow-up, and family engagement.

• Supports reporting for Head Start performance standards and internal monitoring tools.

• Participates in program staff meetings and trainings
• Reports directly to Education Coordinator in collaboration with the Site Supervisor concerning Child Development Program and other job responsibilities.
• Functions as member of the Center program management team.
• Provides parents with information and support in their parenting role.

• Assure that files are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained

• Thinks, concentrates, and positively interacts with others

• Comes to work promptly every day

• Works under stress and meets all deadlines

• OTHER DUTIES: (Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor limit duties that might reasonably be assigned.) Performs related work as required or assigned.

Compensation: $28.31 - 31.25 commensurate with qualifications and experience

Maryland Rural Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Child Development or a closely related field from an accredited college or university required
• Master’s Degree preferred
• Experience working with children ages birth to 3 years of age
• Minimum one (1) year of supervisory experience

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and evaluate child development personnel and volunteers.
• Ability to make sound decisions related to interactions between staff, parents and children.
• Ability to provide guidance and direction to staff in curriculum planning and implementation and planning children's activities.
• Ability to model team leadership skills on issues of child development.
• Ability to model/teach parents and staff how to nurture and interact with babies and young children

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development