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The Childcare Development Specialist supports families residing in Just Compassions 50-unit family shelter in Gresham, Oregon by ensuring that children under school age have access to safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate care opportunities. This position assists families in navigating childcare systems, connecting with state-subsidized programs, and promoting child development through structured play, early learning activities, and caregiver engagement.

The Childcare Development Specialist serves as a bridge between caregivers, case managers, and community childcare providers to ensure a coordinated, trauma-informed, and family-centered approach to early childhood support that promotes stability and long-term success for families.

Essential Duties

• Supports the developmental, emotional, and social well-being of children residing in shelter through structured early learning and family engagement activities.
• Assists families with accessing childcare services, early learning programs, and community-based family support resources.
• Maintains trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and family-centered approaches in all interactions, programming, and services.

Job Functions

• Plan and implement age-appropriate developmental activities for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children within shelter and community settings.
• Create a safe, inclusive, trauma-informed, and developmentally supportive environment for children and families.
• Support childrens physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development through structured play, educational activities, and caregiver engagement.
• Observe childrens development, behaviors, strengths, and needs and communicate concerns or recommendations appropriately.
• Provide one-on-one and group support to children in partnership with parents and caregivers.
• Model positive parenting strategies, attachment-building techniques, and healthy caregiver-child interactions.
• Assist parents and caregivers with identifying, applying for, and enrolling in childcare and early learning programs including ERDC, Head Start, Preschool Promise, and other community resources.
• Provide education and guidance regarding child development, positive behavior support, daily routines, and age-appropriate expectations.
• Support families in establishing structure, consistency, and nurturing caregiving practices aligned with trauma-informed principles.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with childcare providers, early learning hubs, and culturally specific family resource organizations.
• Serve as a liaison between shelter families and childcare or early learning agencies to support continuity of care and successful transitions.
• Collaborate with Program Supervisors, Case Managers, Behavioral Health staff, Youth Services staff, and other shelter team members to support coordinated family services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, and service planning discussions as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to childcare referrals, developmental observations, participant engagement, and service coordination.
• Track participation, progress, outcomes, and family goals related to childcare and child development services.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with agency policies, HIPAA standards, HMIS requirements, and mandatory reporting obligations under Oregon law.
• Support development and enhancement of shelter-based childcare programming and family engagement initiatives.
• Participate in community events, workshops, and educational opportunities that strengthen parenting skills and family stability.
• Provide feedback and recommendations related to program development, policies, and service quality improvement.
• Apply trauma-informed care, cultural humility, housing-first, and participant-centered approaches in all interactions and services.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of shelter operations and family services.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Studies, Social Services, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in childcare, early learning, family support services, or a related field.
• Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, positive guidance strategies, and early childhood best practices.
• Understanding of Oregon childcare systems, subsidy programs, ERDC, and early learning resources.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to remain calm, empathetic, and professional in fast-paced or high-stress environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Commitment to trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, housing-first practices, and Just Compassions mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, or a related field.
• Experience working with families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or trauma.
• Familiarity with culturally responsive and multilingual family engagement practices.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities including Spanish, Russian, or other languages commonly spoken by participants and families served.

Why Just Compassion: Benefits & Total Rewards

Just Compassion is committed to supporting the health, well-being, and professional growth of our team members. Benefits for eligible employees may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing confidential counseling, financial, and legal support at no cost to team members
• Individual Retirement Account (IRA) retirement savings option
• Paid time off (PTO) for eligible employees
• Paid sick time in accordance with Oregon law
• Paid leave benefits in compliance with Oregon Paid Leave Oregon (PLO), Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as applicable
• Wellness time to support overall employee well-being
• Eleven (11) paid holidays annually
• Professional development opportunities

Just Compassion of East Washington County is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees and applicants for employment. This policy prohibits discrimination on all legally recognized bases including, but not limited to, race, creed, color, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, national origin, or service in the uniformed services.