Job Description

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Child Development and Education Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

The Child Development and Education Specialist performs professional duties directing and evaluating the activities of assigned Early Head Start Family Child Care Providers to ensure programs comply Statutory and Regulatory requirements, including the Head Start Performance Standards.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates activities of Early Head Start Family Child Care Providers to ensure the provision of high quality services at each Family Child Care Home.
• Trains Family Child Care Providers regarding licensing in accordance with Early Head Start
• Performance standards, developmentally appropriate practices, licensing practices, including Child Develop Associate (CDA) and National Association for the Education of Young children (NAEYC) accreditation standards for preschool age children or infants and toddlers.
• Maintains records and prepares and submits required reports.
• Supervises the work of Early Head Start Family Child Care Providers, assigning and reviewing work, providing training evaluation performance to ensure home activities are properly carried out.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as needed.
• Compiles data on enrolled children using classroom observations and interviews with parents and Teachers.
• Encourages parent participation as volunteers in Head Start activities such as program planning and Family Child Care Home activities.
• Assists with the development and implementation of strategies for achieving educational objectives.
• Assist in inspecting FCCP to insure compliance with fire, health and safety requirements.
• One visit to every provider every two weeks to provide on-site feedback and training or technical assistance.

Other Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, and sit on the floor to interact with young children at their level.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds, including educational materials and/or children as needed.
• Requires sufficient hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and visual and auditory acuity to observe children's behavior, assess classroom environments, and conduct developmental screenings.
• Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor environments, including playground supervision in a variety of weather conditions.
• Requires the ability to travel between program sites, attend training sessions, and conduct home visits as necessary.
• Must be able to maintain focus and physical stamina to perform duties in a busy and dynamic early childhood educational setting.
• Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Education:

• High School diploma or GED required. Post secondary education preferred.
• A National Credentialed as a Child Development Associate for Infant/Toddlers (CDA) within one year of employment; and Certification in First Aid and CPR within the probationary period.

Experience:

Two years of experience in Early Head Start, or working with infants and toddlers in a center; one year of which must have been in a supervisory or team leader capacity.

Skills:

• Considerable knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Considerable knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood Development.
• Considerable knowledge of American with Disabilities Act (AD) standards relating to children education
• Considerable knowledge of Early Head Start program accreditation requirements.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct early childhood education programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established rules and procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First Aid.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Secretarial and/or administrative support to Child Development / Education Manager
• Team player with co-workers.
• Accurate, complete and timely submission of paperwork to Central Services.
• Efficient and cost-effective arrangement of meetings and conferences that involve Program Manager.
• Organized, complete and accurate program files.
• Effective working relationships with Landlord and/or other vendor

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com