UPMC·Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Developmental Specialist will provide therapeutic support to children in a nursery setting and communicate regularly with families regarding developmental progress. They will also assist with lesson planning, maintain accurate clinical documentation, and participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings.
This is a therapeutic nursery and preschool setting.
We serve children 18 months to 5 years that have experienced trauma and display behaviors.
The children we serve require more support than what is available in a typically childcare or school setting.
Our ideal candidate is an educator with coursework in early childhood education.
Experience with children aged 0-5, supporting Kindergarten readiness and in creating engaging lessons.
Matilda Theiss Therapeutic Nursery & Preschool includes multidisciplinary teams that support children ages 2-5 with social emotional and educational development.
Each team is passionate about serving children well using developmentally appropriate techniques.
Each team includes 1 educator and 2 mental health workers that serve approximately 12 students.
Teams are provided with clinical oversight by a master level clinician and educational supported by a lead educator.
· Complete all other duties as assigned. · Complete lesson planning, lesson implementation, kindergarten readiness implementing and curriculum implementation · Complete all educational assessments, parent conferences, educational Snap Shots, educational trackers, and any additional educational expectations by identified timelines. · Consistently adhere to educational, regulatory, and partnership expectations. Actively engage in quality improvement projects and help to ensure inspection and audit readiness at all times. · Regularly assess, record, and communicate the developmental progress of clients. Utilize assessment information to inform care, inform educational instruction/interventions and to inform guardians of client progress. · Accurately complete all required documentation within assigned timelines. Maintain current and accurate client and program records that meet educational, regulatory, and partnership standards. · Communicate with families regularly and provide necessary support. Communicate any identified family need with the treatment team. · Actively participate in assigned educational meetings, unit meetings, staff meetings, treatment team, and supervisory sessions as assigned. · Report pertinent clinical and non-clinical (i.e., educational) needs or concerns to appropriate classroom, clinical and administrative leadership. · Maintain ongoing communication with educational leads and supervisor.
· Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education. · Experience working in a child care setting preferred. · Desire to work with young children and ability to sensitively respond to their needs. · Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. · Alignment with the core values of UPMC. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: · Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) · Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC) · Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal · Act 33 with renewal · Act 34 with renewal · Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field. Additionally, the role requires various clearances including CPR, CCMC, and state-mandated child abuse and criminal background checks.
Market context
In Pennsylvania, Developmental Specialist I roles are typically in steady demand across early intervention and child-focused service settings, where employers look for candidates with the right education and required clearances. Competition often centers on candidates who can show a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field, plus current CPR, CCMC, and state child abuse and criminal background checks. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to quickly confirm fit, then gather clearance documentation before applying.