Child Development Specialist- Eagle House (Sat-Mon 2:30pm-11pm) in Hartford, Connecticut at The Village for Families and Children

Our Mission:

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission “to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children” by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for six consecutive years with national distinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you’re joining an organization that’s just as committed to your success as we are to those we serve.

Starting hourly rate $20.50 per hour with differential pay given for hours worked between 3 PM-7 AM.

Shift hours: Saturday - Monday 2:30pm-11:00pm (Scheduled for 8.5 hours with a .5 unpaid break)

ABOUT EAGLE HOUSE

Program Overview

• 24-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) serving children ages 6–12
• Functions as a step-down or diversion from inpatient hospitalization
• Serves youth with severe emotional and behavioral challenges related to significant trauma
• Average length of stay: ~4 months
• Goal: stabilize youth and prepare them for transition to community-based care, family, or foster placement
• Provides intensive, trauma-informed care focused on relationship-building and skill development
• Services include:
• Psychiatry and nursing evaluations
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Case management
• Therapeutic recreation
• Special education services
• Emphasis on helping youth build emotional regulation, coping skills, and positive interactions with peers and adults

Position Overview - Child Development Specialist

• Key member of the multidisciplinary treatment team
• Supports treatment and educational needs of children with trauma-related challenges
• Implements therapeutic behavior management strategies
• Teaches and reinforces healthy coping skills aligned with treatment goals
• Oversees daily routines (e.g., hygiene, meals, structure)
• Facilitates and participates in recreational group activities
• Provides continuous supervision to ensure physical and emotional safety
• Builds therapeutic relationships to support emotional regulation, prosocial skill development, and overall behavioral functioning
• Transports clients to appointments or to and from community activities

Employee Benefits & Engagement

• Staff recognition programs, including awards and incentives for staff of the month, perfect attendance, and appreciation events throughout the year
• Tuition reimbursement
• Ongoing coaching, training, and professional development opportunities

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain the safety of children in all situations using supervision and the implementation of various therapeutic techniques, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Maintain a safe, clean and dignified milieu environment.
• Serve as a healthy role model.
• Demonstrate techniques that enhance problem solving abilities and enable growth and maturity.
• Understand and relay relevant information.
• Record and document critical information in a timely matter.
• Communicate with parents/guardians in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with coworkers in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with external professionals (e.g. Teachers, DCF Workers) in a professional and timely manner.
• Manage and assist in the modification of child behavior.
• Maintain appropriate certifications (see Licensure Requirements below).
• Provide safe transportation to and from program activities.
• Conduct oneself in a professional, courteous manner in all job-related interactions.
• Interact with children in a positive, nurturing, therapeutic manner.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate therapeutic groups.
• Participate in program meetings, agency meetings, supervision and training events as deemed appropriate by supervisor.
• Conduct any other related work to ensure that the physical and emotional needs of the children are met and that the program continues to operate effectively.
• May be required to work in other programs as needed.

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred
• Valid driver’s license required
• Experience in human services or working with children with special needs preferred
• Knowledge of child development and the impact of trauma, abuse, and neglect
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Strong cultural competence and ability to work with diverse populations
• Ability to remain calm, manage stress, and respond safely in crisis or emergency situations
• Physically able to supervise children and perform job duties, including physical interventions (holds) when necessary (with or without reasonable accommodation)

Required Certifications (or willingness to obtain)

• Medication Administration Certification
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
• First Aid & CPR (American Red Cross)
• Defensive Driving
• Safe Food Handling
• Situational Awareness
• Risking Connection

https://thevillage.org/careers/our-benefits/