Developmental Specialist

Create. Connect. Change Lives.

At the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live, learn, work, and thrive as a valued member of our community. We support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across all stages of life—empowering people, strengthening connections, and fostering a community where everyone belongs.

Joining DCBDD means becoming part of a mission-driven team grounded in compassion, collaboration, and respect for the dignity and potential of every person we serve.

Mission

To inspire, empower, and support people to achieve their full potential.

Vision

All people will lead personally fulfilling lives.

Our Core Values

Inclusion • Equity • Integrity

We expect every team member to model these values in their work, their decisions, and their interactions.

About the Role

The Developmental Specialist builds the capacity of families and caregivers to support the developmental progress of infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. This role focuses on promoting meaningful caregiver-child interactions, embedding developmental strategies into natural routines, and supporting the achievement of outcomes identified in each child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). The Developmental Specialist collaborates closely with families, Early Intervention team members, and community partners to provide coaching, developmental guidance, and resource linkage that foster each child’s participation, learning, and growth within their home and community environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Focuses on promoting the caregiver-child interactions and supporting caregivers in learning new strategies they can use to enhance the child’s development and participation in the natural activities and routines of everyday life including but not limited to: Adaptations and modifications to environment and communication as required by caregiver; Utilizing current best practice and curriculums to differentiate instruction for each child.
• Participates in the evaluation and assessment process for infants and toddlers referred for Part C Early Intervention services in collaboration with Service Coordinators, Core Team members, and families. 
• Develops activities that promote the child’s acquisition of skills that leads to achieving outcomes identified in the individual family service plan (IFSP).
• Gathers and synthesizes information in order to guide developmental strategies.
• Leverages knowledge of infant/toddler typical and atypical development to support the capacity building of caregivers.
• Provides referral and linkage to available resources to enhance skill development. 
• Identifies and suggests environments conducive to developing particular skills both in the home and community.
• Participates in periodic IFSP reviews and Core Team meetings, as designated, in order to share information and build the capacity of team members specifically in the areas of cognition and social-emotional development.
• Maintains accurate and current files. records, and documentation.
• Implements procedures of rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Attends conferences, workshops, seminars, and meetings designed to enhance professional growth as permitted and/or requested by administration.
• Schedule may need to be flexible based on needs of the agency and/or person served.
• Regular attendance, as governed by and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, procedures and laws, is regarded as an essential requirement of this classification.
• Adheres to all ORC, OAC, and DCBDD policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in child development or related area and a minimum of two (2) years experience working with children birth through age five (5) with developmental disabilities; Master’s degree preferred.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Developmental Specialist credentials through the Ohio Professional Registry (OPR), which is maintained by the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA). 
• Valid Ohio driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Strong communication skills, professionalism, confidentiality, and ability to build positive working relationships.
• Ability to promote a positive, inclusive culture for individuals served, families, staff, providers, and partners.
• Successful completion of required background checks and reference screenings.

Physical & Additional Requirements

• Light physical requirements (ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally).
• Ability to use standard office equipment.
• Flexibility in schedule based on organizational and individual needs.

If you are passionate about empowering others, supporting inclusive communities, and leading with compassion, we invite you to consider joining our team at DCBDD. Your leadership can make a meaningful and lasting impact.