Child Development Specialist

Job Title and Location

Title: Child Development Specialist

Work Location: Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Burbank, Los Angeles, Alhambra, Pasadena, South Pasadena, CA & surrounding areas

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $26-$30 per hour

Positive Development provides one-on-one support to autistic children, helping them build communication, social, and daily living skills through play-based, relationship-focused interactions. We are committed to ensuring every child grows, learns, and thrives, and to offering meaningful work that builds real skills for the future.

Our clinicians and supervisors support your growth and development as you engage with families in home-based or center-based settings.

This role involves actively coaching, connecting with children, and helping them grow rather than merely observing. You will gain experience relevant to careers in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, education, counseling, and related fields.

We especially value candidates who are passionate about working with children and teens, curious about human development and learning, patient, empathetic, reliable, and able to maintain a consistent schedule. It is common to work directly with families in home-based settings.

You will work one-on-one with children in their homes and/or center-based settings to:

• Build communication, social, and daily living skills through play, conversation, and shared activities
• Create meaningful connections that help children think, create, and engage with the world
• Follow a relationship-based intervention model designed to achieve strong outcomes with fewer session hours
• Track progress by documenting session notes and goal outcomes
• Collaborate closely with clinicians and supervisors to build clinical skills and confidence
• Learn how evidence-based developmental care works in real life, not just in textbooks

• Direct Pay: $26–$30/hour (based on experience and education)
• Training / Admin Pay: $20/hour
• Part-time schedules:
  • 3, 4, or 5 days per week Monday–Friday (most available hours are 3pm–8pm)
  • Or Saturday and Sunday (most available hours are between 9am–3pm)
• Paid drive time between clients + mileage reimbursement (IRS rate)

This role is ideal for students balancing classes, internships, or graduate school.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 1 year of volunteer or working experience with children (required)
• Valid driver’s license + reliable transportation (30–40 min drive radius)
• Ability to complete physical tasks, including:
  • Playing on the floor/ground for up to two-three hours per session
  • Lifting/carrying up to 40 lbs
  • Sitting, kneeling, crouching, or moving quickly to ensure child safety
• Strong communication skills and professionalism with families and teammates

We invest in you because strong clinicians start with strong support.

• You don’t need to be an expert—we’ll train you.
• Paid New Hire Training
• Ongoing coaching and mentorship from expert clinicians
• Opportunities for role progression, pay increases, and performance bonuses
• Exposure to a cutting-edge model of autism care with measurable outcomes

• $1000 Referral Bonus
• Monthly Technology Stipend
• Paid drive time (Admin rate) + mileage reimbursement (IRS rate) between clients
• Paid training
• Strong performers may receive letters of recommendation for graduate or professional programs

Positive Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Employment is contingent upon clearing a background check and successful completion of training.