1

Human Development Family Science Jobs in Virginia

next page

Showing results 1-20

Human Development Family Science information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$21

$31

How much do human development family science jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for human development family science in Virginia is $21.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $23.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is human development and family science?

Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) is an interdisciplinary field that studies how individuals grow, develop, and interact within families and communities across the lifespan. Professionals in HDFS examine the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence human development from infancy through old age. They often work in settings such as education, social services, healthcare, and research to support individuals and families. By understanding human behavior and family dynamics, HDFS professionals aim to improve the quality of life for people of all ages.

What are human development and family science jobs?

Human development and family science jobs, often shortened to HDFS, include positions such as childcare coordinator, crisis intervention worker, elementary educator, marriage counselor, and volunteer coordinator. These positions apply the practical aspects of human development and family sciences. Most HDFS jobs involve working directly with clients; you may work with or meet them at their homes, school, office, clinic, or another mutually convenient location. In this field, you may support public health efforts, educate groups on specific topics, provide therapy to youth and families, and manage community programs. Some use their training in academia and teach social services or psychology courses at the college level.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a human development and family science professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Human Development and Family Science professional, you need a strong background in human growth, family systems, and developmental psychology, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with research methodologies, data analysis software, and sometimes certification in family life education or counseling is valuable. Exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and the ability to communicate effectively are crucial soft skills for building trust and supporting diverse clients. These abilities enable professionals to promote healthy development and relationships, address family challenges, and positively impact individual and community well-being.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in human development and family science when working with diverse populations?

Professionals in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) often encounter the challenge of addressing the unique needs and values of individuals and families from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. Navigating differences in communication styles, family dynamics, and cultural expectations requires sensitivity, adaptability, and ongoing learning. Building trust and rapport while providing effective support can take time, but it's essential for ensuring positive outcomes. Many HDFS professionals participate in regular training and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to better serve diverse communities.

What is the difference between Human Development Family Science vs Child Life Specialist?

AspectHuman Development Family ScienceChild Life Specialist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Human Development, Family Studies, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Child Life, Child Development, or related fields; certification often required
Work EnvironmentUniversities, research settings, community agencies, healthcareHospitals, pediatric units, clinics, healthcare settings
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic institutions, research organizations, social service agenciesHospitals, healthcare providers, pediatric departments

Human Development Family Science focuses on understanding family dynamics and child development through research and education, often in academic or community settings. Child Life Specialists primarily work in healthcare environments, supporting children and families during medical procedures. While both roles involve child development, their work settings, credentials, and daily tasks differ significantly.

What can you do with a human development family science degree?

A degree in human development and family science prepares individuals for careers in social services, counseling, education, healthcare, and community programs. Graduates often work as family therapists, social workers, child development specialists, or program coordinators, utilizing skills in communication, assessment, and program planning.

What is human development in family science?

Human development in family science refers to the study of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social growth across the lifespan within family contexts. Professionals in this field analyze how family relationships, environment, and life stages influence individual development and well-being, often using research methods and developmental theories to inform practice and policy.

What are popular job titles related to Human Development Family Science jobs in Virginia?

For Human Development Family Science jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Human Development Family Science jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Human Development Family Science jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Human Development Family Science jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Human Development Family Science job openings:

Infographic showing various Human Development Family Science job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,020 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Human Development Specialist III

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Fairfax County
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

$60K - $106K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Fairfax County rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Announcement This announcement will be used to fill a position located within Region 4 area of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) at the following location: Oak View Elementary School BTB (5004 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032) Join our team at the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) and help support our mission to partner with communities, families, and individuals to provide opportunities to access a continuum of resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities. Our vision is to see connected communities where all individuals and families are supported and empowered to thrive. This position works as part of the Culture, Recreation, and Community Connections (CRCC) Division to provide leadership and support for the overall functions of school-based sites that serve school-age youth, and of center-based sites that serve Youth, Teen, Adult, Senior, and Family programs as the need arises.

Plans, coordinates, and evaluates outcome-based inclusive programs for diverse populations, including recreational, educational, health and wellness, social, civic, and cultural programs. Uses a human-centered approach and human development best practices to meet the needs of the community and program participants. Provides overall administration, supervision, and leadership to placed-based efforts for the population served and comply with all training and licensure requirements established by state and local guidelines.

Conducts targeted community outreach efforts to increase participation and offer programs and services based on community needs and gaps. Provides support to all children in the program, including children with special needs. Works actively and be engaged with staff and children daily.

This position is scheduled to work 52 weeks per year, 40 hours per week between the hours of 6:45 am - 6:15 pm. This position requires a split shift during the school year, and full day during the winter, spring, and summer programs. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity

Learn more about the work we do in NCS here. Illustrative Duties (The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.) Supervises a team of fulltime, temporary, part-time, seasonal staff and volunteers; Plans, coordinates, and evaluates programs, activities, and events with the end result of Inclusive Prosperity using a Human-centered approach to ensure equitable outcomes for all, in a co-located or stand-alone site that address identified gaps; Identifies practices or policies that create unintended consequences for marginalized or non/under-represented communities using a Trauma Informed Lens; Ensures that programming is inclusive of the county's goals and initiatives; Manages the daily overall facility operation; Participates in the hiring, training, and scheduling of staff; Completes and submit required financial, data and statistical and other reports as requested; Adheres to revenue and expense limits; Inspects facilities and grounds for safety hazards and operational deficiencies and initiate corrective actions; Responds to public inquiries and concerns as appropriate; Participates in the development and implementation of school-based, community center-based, and community outreach plans that targets all communities with targeted strategies for marginalized communities; Facilitates, distributes, or participates in evaluation processes such as surveys, focus groups, program and activity benchmarking

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities (The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list). Knowledge of Human-centered and human development practices; Knowledge of basic fiscal management, record keeping, and inventory processes; Knowledge of culture, community strengths and assets, and relationship building strategies; Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment; Ability to direct and coordinate the work of subordinate staff and volunteers; Ability to plan, develop, and administer programs, activities, and events in collocated or stand-alone facilities and the community; Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; Ability to establish and maintain a warm and supportive relationship with participants, parents, staff, school officials, and citizen groups, in a group or individual setting; Ability to provide a wide variety of experiences to meet a participant's individual intellectual, physical, social, and emotional needs. Employment Standards MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in human development, social work, early childhood education, recreation, or a human services *related field; plus, one year of supervisory experience in program development, community engagement, child-related programmatic experience or human services *related experience.

*A related field/experience is based solely on the position description. CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement.

First Aid/CPR certification (within 90 days of appointment) Food Handler's certification (within 90 days of appointment) NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer. A Tuberculosis (TB) screening upon hire. Additional work schedule requirements: scheduled to work a split shift Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6:45 am- 6:15 pm.

Also requires a full day work (6.5 or more consecutive hours) when FCPS is out of school (teacher workdays, winter break, spring break, summer). PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree or higher in a child-related field such as elementary education, nursing, or recreation Two years of child-related programmatic experience Child-related programmatic experience with children with special needs Experience working in a setting that provided services to children and youth with special needs in the past two years Certification of qualification from an internationally or nationally recognized Montessori organization; or Child Development Credential; or One-year early childhood certificate from a college or university; or Other childcare related Virginia State license Demonstrated experience and proficiency in planning appropriate experiences for school-age children. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Position is active in nature

Must be able to monitor and observe the activities of program participants. Regularly moves about or positions self to supervise and interact with participants at their level. Occasionally lifts, transports, positions, push/pulls or moves up to 50 pounds.

Must be sufficiently mobile and possess a range of motion to perform repetitive standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of program participants. Requires the ability to apply CPR and First Aid skills as needed and respond to emergency situations.

Administrative and supervisory activities will require the ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community.

All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations. SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise. Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY

#LI-LD1


What Fairfax County employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom