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Infant Development Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Catalyst Kids

Infant Development Specialist

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$21.41 - $32.11/hr

An Infant Development Specialist establishes a climate of respect for each infant/toddler's individual personality, physical characteristics, traits, temperament, language, and family culture. They ...

Catalyst Kids

Infant Development Specialist

Menifee, CA · On-site

An Infant Development Specialist establishes a climate of respect for each infant/toddler's individual personality, physical characteristics, traits, temperament, language, and family culture. They ...

GRAYCOLORS

Infant Development Specialist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$23/hr

Wellness resources GrayColors infant development specialist provide in-home play based services to families with infants (birth to three years) who have reported a disability/ delay. Services include ...

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How much do infant development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for infant development specialist in the United States is $81,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $99,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an infant development specialist?

An Infant Development Specialist is a trained professional who supports the growth and development of infants, particularly those with developmental delays or disabilities. They work closely with families to assess developmental progress, develop intervention plans, and provide guidance on activities that promote healthy physical, cognitive, and emotional development. These specialists often collaborate with other healthcare and educational professionals to ensure infants receive comprehensive care and support.

What are some common challenges faced by infant development specialists when working with families, and how can they be addressed?

Infant Development Specialists often encounter challenges such as building trust with families, addressing diverse cultural perspectives on child development, and navigating varying levels of parental engagement. Effective communication and cultural sensitivity are vital to fostering positive relationships and ensuring families feel supported. Specialists typically collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams—like occupational therapists, speech therapists, and social workers—to create tailored intervention plans, and participate in ongoing training to stay updated on best practices. Proactively involving families in sessions and providing clear, empathetic guidance helps overcome these challenges and promotes optimal developmental outcomes for infants.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an infant development specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Infant Development Specialist, you need a background in early childhood education, child development, or a related field, often supported by specialized certifications or degrees. Familiarity with developmental screening tools, early intervention systems, and documentation software is typically required. Outstanding communication, patience, and cultural sensitivity are essential soft skills for working effectively with infants and their families. These skills and qualities are crucial for accurately assessing developmental needs, providing tailored support, and fostering optimal growth in young children.
More about Infant Development Specialist jobs
What cities are hiring for Infant Development Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Infant Development Specialist job openings:
What states have the most Infant Development Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Infant Development Specialist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Infant Development Specialist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Infant Development Specialist jobs are:
Infant Development Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Infant Development Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, and 60% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,632 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Infant Development Specialist

Catalyst Kids

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$21.41 - $32.11/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Catalyst Kids rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 221 rated education and training

Job description

An Infant Development Specialist establishes a climate of respect for each infant/toddler's individual personality, physical characteristics, traits, temperament, language, and family culture. They support the individual planning and implementation of Catalyst's program for children ranging in age zero to three years old. The Infant Development Specialist moves with their group of children from the time they enter the program until they move to preschool (age 2.9 or up) supporting their development, building strong family relationships, setting the trajectory for future success in the child/families' school success and ensuring continuity of care for the child until they move to preschool. Catalyst Infant Development Specialists must be able to facilitate a variety of age-appropriate experiences that support children's social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development, and ensure all children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment.
Essential Functions:
  • Create and implement individual developmentally appropriate curriculum and small group experiences that are directly connected to the interests and development of infants/toddlers, supported by learning frameworks and foundations that promote positive wholistic and cutlturally responsive practices
  • Understand the growth and development of infants/toddlers ages zero-three years and meet their needs based on their developmental age
  • Keep infant/toddlers healthy and safe by connecting proper supervision, following compliance regulations, positive, empathetic, consistent interactions, healthy habits, and nurturing culturally diverse relationships
  • Create, implement and maintain intentional, enriched and supportive learning environments connected to curriculum and quality experiences that are appropriate for all children and allow opportunities for safe risks
  • Ensure the environment meets the needs of the developmental age of infant/toddlers as they grow through the first three years of life
  • Provide excellent customer service by establishing and maintaining authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, families, communities and center/classroom team
  • Complete a daily report and provide continual evaluation for families detailing the child's individual progress and developmental milestones
  • Work collaboratively with each other connecting workplace values, education and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces

Work EnvironmentAll infant Development Specialists are expected to demonstrate behaviors that are essential for successful programs and environement including the following:
  • Positive, nurturing, patient, and developmentally appropriate interactions with infants/toddlers
  • Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional and physical environments for children
  • Be on time and present on a regularly scheduled basis
  • Be supportive and nutruing in outdoor and indoor programs
  • Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with infants/toddlers zero to three meeting all their needs and ensuring their safety
  • Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; report any health & safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm if providing first aid (as needed) during emergency situations

Physical & Environmental ConditionsInfant Development Specialists are responsible for various program elements on a daily basis and will routinely be exposed to indoor and outdoor elements. Infant Development Specialists may be required to:
  • Visually inspect the environement for hazards to children and implement preventiative actions )i.e., set up cones to limit the play area) to maintain a safe environment for children
  • Be comfortable with occasional loud noise in or outside the classroom during active/loud activities
  • Be comfortable holding, lifting diapering and nurturing infants and toddlers ages 0-3yrears during caregiving routines.
  • Be comfortable with frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing and pulling
  • Push, lift, carry, and hold various objects up to 15 lbs. - by individual or team effort - such as equipment carts, emergency back packs, food coolers, classroom furnishings, and other similar program materials
  • Work inside the classroom or outside the room in all weather conditions which are safe for children.
  • Traverse various terrains (grass, blacktop, dirt) and heights (ladders, playgrounds) depending on the school outdoor environment
  • Adapt to the physical level of infants/toddlers (example, sitting on the floor, kneeling, squatting) for activities and problem-solving/interactions
  • Supervise walks around the community

Qualifications & Experience:
Infant Development Specialists are the individuals with the highest educational qualifications assigned to a group of children/classroom/center/program. They may also direct/supervise other members of the teaching team.
Education
Education and permit requirements may vary by center needs/require at least three units specific to the Infant/Toddler (0-3yrs) age group.
  • 24 units in child development, early childhood development or related field, plus 16 general education units and (at least three units in Infant/Toddler (0-3) specficially)
  • AA degree in ECE, CD, or related field from a national accredited college
  • BA degree in ECE, CD, or related field from a national accredited college/university
  • Teacher or above Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
  • Any degree must also include at least three units in Infant/Toddler (0-3yrs) specifically)

Experience & Skills
  • 2 years of experience in a group care environment where care/teaching was provided for a consistent age group preferred
  • 1 year experience supervising adults or equivalent Adult Supervision units preferred
  • Effective problem solving, conflict resolution, classroom management, and communication with children and families
  • Effective organization, time management, curriculum and assessment documentation ( Individualized lesson plans, portfolios, anecdotal notes)
  • Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment
  • Current adult and infant/child CPR/First Aid certification preferred
  • Bilingual/Multilingual language preference based on individual center needs

Shift Type: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm
What We Offer:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
  • 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Personal Health Advocate
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
  • Commuter pre-tax benefit
  • Discounted childcare
  • Access to the Calm app
  • Tickets at Work employee discounts
  • Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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