Position Title: Child Development Specialist
Supervisor:Director of Forensic Services
Direct Supervisor:Lead Family Advocate
The mission of Baltimore Child Abuse Center is to provide victims of child sexual abuse, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood Experiences in Baltimore and their non-offending caretakers, with comprehensive forensic interviews, medical treatment and mental health treatment with a goal of preventing future trauma.
Position Summary:
The Child DevelopmentSpecialist has an important role at Baltimore Child Abuse Center, Inc. (BCAC) in providingmanagement and structure for the supportand nurturance ofyouthand families visiting the Center. This person will operate within the Family Advocacy Program to ensure that all youth and families who are receiving services at BCAC have a coordinated, trauma-informed response.The Child Development Specialist must be knowledgeable ofchild developmental norms and appropriate positive behavioral management techniques. This person must be organized, engaging, energetic, patient, and have excellent listening skills. This position requires the ability to handle multipletasks, manage multiple youth at one timeand be able to interact with all youth in a developmentally appropriate manner.
This person will also provide supervision to the Administrative Coordinator, Child Care Coordinatorand Child Development Interns.The Child DevelopmentSpecialist will ensure that the environment where children and families receive services is kept clean, neat and safe at all times. This person will also manage transportation vendors for effective operation of the Forensic Services program and coordinate with the Medical Suite regarding its operating procedures. The person in this position should consult with the Forensic Services programabout any concerning observations and be able to document themas necessary. The Child Development Specialist will also assist in clerical and administrativeduties as needed.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Manage the creation and implementation of BCACs Child Development Program that helps to reduce the effects of trauma while youth are present at BCAC receiving a variety of services
- Manage the continued development of the Child Care Program
- Engage with youth in the Family Room while their caretakersare with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for all appointments
- Develop and engage in developmentally age-appropriate activities with youth
- Organize daily and weekly activities for youth to promote a positive experience while at BCAC and minimize anxiety
- Remain current on different child development activities to be utilized with youth
- Observe children’s behavior and consult with the Forensic Interviewer or Family Advocate about any concerning behaviors or disclosures
- Ensure the maintenance of a clean, neat and safefamily room environment for youth and their caregivers
- Assist with the Facility Dog program as needed
- Interact in a friendly, respectful manner to youth and families
- Supervise Administrative Coordinator, Child Care Coordinator and Child Development Interns
- Coach, mentor, and develop staff, interns, and volunteers providing child care services
- Maintain and monitor employee work schedules including assignments, training, vacation, paid time off cover for absenteeism and any overtime scheduling.
- Monitor all video material shown and played on TV
- Contract with vendors of transportation services incurred by clients and track monthly expenses related to transportation and forensic supplies.
- Maintain age-appropriate activities (games, books, magazines, arts and crafts, etc.)
- Organizedonations (blankets, books, toys, etc.) that are received foryouth
Manage the inventory of snacksand supplies for youth and families and place orders as required
- Ensure that daily schedule is documented on whiteboard
- Ensure that medical examinations have been addressed for all primary cases
- Provide coverage of administrative and scheduling duties for the Forensic Services program as needed
- Work in cooperation with BCAC’s multidisciplinary team members, including representatives of the Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore City Department of Social Services-Child Protective Services and the State’s Attorney’s Office of Baltimore City. In all cases, the employee shall recognize that the efforts of the multidisciplinary team are essential to the effective provision of services to abuse victims and their family members
- Make copies and perform other clerical duties as needed
- Attend meetings and trainings as required
- Perform other duties requested by Forensic Services Department as it relates to youth and families.
- Perform all duties with the highest standards of professional ethics, in accordance with BCAC policy, and in compliance with local, state and federal law.
Education and Skills Required
- Bachelor’s Degree or an Associate’s Degree withwork experience in child-related fields
- Child friendly, knowledge of developmentally age-appropriate activities
- Great communication and organizational skills
Additional:
- This position is grant-funded, full-time, 40 hours/week
- 11 am -7pm Mon.–Thurs., 9 am -5pm Friday
- Equal Opportunity Employer
- Health benefits and parking available
Please Submit your Cover Letter and Resume to the following:
Iona Rudisill, LGSW
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