Child Development Specialist

Child Development Specialist

Salary

$52,998.00 Annually

Location

1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL

Job Type

Full-time

Unit

Student Services

Division/Department

Student Support Services

Opening Date

08/11/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The College's Child Development Lab (CDL) is seeking a full-time Child Development Specialist to join our nationally accredited program. The CDL provides care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years while also serving as a laboratory school that supports college students pursuing careers in early childhood education.

As a Child Development Specialist, you will work as part of a co-teaching team in a mixed-age infant/toddler or preschool classroom. This is a year-round position that offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children's development and help prepare the next generation of early childhood professionals.

General responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assess and document childrens development to inform curricular decisions aligned with NAEYC accreditation standards and the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment in both indoors and outdoors classroom spaces
• Conduct annual screenings, communicate results, and collaborate with families and service providers to support individual needs of children
• Maintain daily communication to inform families of routines, upcoming events, and family involvement opportunities
• Mentor and train college students completing field experiences in the laboratory school
• Collaborate with co-teachers and staff to ensure high-quality programming and accreditation compliance

Requirements

• Associate degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field (submission of transcript copy required)
• Eligibility for Gateways ECE Credential Level 4 (or commitment to a professional development plan to achieve the ECE Credential Level 4 within 12 months of employment at CDL)

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in child development, early childhood education, or related field
• Eligibility for Gateways ECE credential Level 5
• 2 or more years' early childhood classroom experience
• Experience working with Project Approach
• Direct experience developing and implementing curriculum for young children
• Experience supervising student or volunteer assistants
• Demonstrated experience in family involvement activities
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

The review of applications will be ongoing.

• Please include a transcript copy with your application submission.*

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND ABILITY TO BE PRESENT ON-CAMPUS/IN-PERSON IS REQUIRED.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Heartland Community College is an equal opportunity institution.

HCC values equity, diversity and inclusion. We create a collegial and welcoming culture by taking collective responsibility in the creation, protection, and enhancement of an equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus community.

EMPLOYEE LEAVE

Vacation: 20 days (160 hours) per year with a maximum annual carry-over of 40 days (320 hours); Accrual of 6.16 hours will be granted on the last day of each pay period

Sick Leave: 12 days (96 hours) per year with unlimited annual carry-over; 12 days (96 hours) granted on start date; Beginning on the first anniversary, accrual of 3.70 hours will be granted on the last day of each pay period

Volunteer Leave: 1 day (8 hours) per year with no annual carry-over; 8 hours granted on start date, then annually granted on January 1

Special Leave: Available by approval for bereavement, emergencies, and legal requirements

Parental Leave: 4 weeks (160 hours) for qualifying events, once per 12-month rolling period

Holidays: 12 designated paid holidays, plus 3 paid Floating Holidays (24 hours); Floating Holidays granted on start date, then annually granted on the anniversary date. HCC is closed from Christmas Eve Day through New Year's Day generally resulting in additional paid days. The College is closed on Election Day (Presidential Election years only)

EMPLOYEE INSURANCE COVERAGES

Eligibility begins the first day of the month following or coinciding with the date of employment.

Medical Insurance: HSA & Copay Plan Options - Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Network

HSA Plans

• $4,000 Tier 1 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 50%

• $5,000 Tier 2 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 50%

• $7,000 Out-of-Network Deductible: Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 50%

Copay Plans

• $3,000 Tier 1 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 96.5%; dependent coverage paid 45%

• $4,000 Tier 2 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 96.5%; dependent coverage paid 45%

• $5,000 Out-of-Network Deductible: Employee coverage paid 96.5%; dependent coverage paid 45%

Dental Insurance: Delta Dental

Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 45%

Vision Insurance: VSP

Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 45%

Life Insurance: Sun Life

Term life insurance equal to twice the annual base salary

Optional Insurances: Sun Life

Accident; Critical Illness; Hospital Indemnity; Long-term Disability; Voluntary Life

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Retirement System: State Universities Retirement System (SURS) - choice of Traditional, Portable, or Retirement Savings Plan with 8% pre-tax payroll deduction

Retirement Health Insurance Plan: College Insurance Program (CIP) - Health insurance for SURS retirees with 1% pre-tax payroll deduction

Savings Plan: SURS Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) 457(b) - Automatic enrollment with 3% pre-tax payroll deduction. Ability to opt out within 30 days of hire

Tax-sheltered Annuity Plan: 403(b) plan permitting voluntary salary reductions within IRS rules

OTHER BENEFITS

Flexible Spending Plan: Section 125 Plan permitting voluntary salary reductions to pay for eligible healthcare and childcare expenses using tax-free dollars within IRS rules

Health Savings Account: Tax-advantaged account available to HSA participants only to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. The College provides monthly contributions for eligible employees: $50 for single coverage, $100 for employee +spouse coverage, $100 for employee +child(ren) coverage, $200 for family coverage

Tuition Waiver: HCC tuition waiver for employee and dependents and HCC Continuing Education course fee waiver for employee

Tuition Reimbursement: Tuition reimbursement for employee for up to $3,500 per fiscal year

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Counseling and referral service for employee and dependents

Employee Identification Card: Access to HCC Fitness and Recreation Center, HCC Library, and Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System (Connect Transit)

Sick Leave Bank

Long-Term Remote Work: With approval, up to 2 days (16 hours) remote work per week, after a minimum of 5 months in position

Long-Term Alternate Work Schedule: With approval, compressed workweek or flex work schedule, after a minimum of 5 months in position

Flexible Summer Work Schedule: With approval

Summer Service Hours: Most College operations close on Fridays at noon, typically beginning the Friday following June 1st and concluding on August 1st; full-time employees will work a 36-hour work week while receiving pay for 40 hours

CDL Tuition Discount: 50% discount

Benefits listed are subject to change. Specific benefits may be dependent upon employment classification, duration of employment, full-time or part-time work status, etc.

01

Do you have, at minimum, an associate degree in child development, early childhood education, or related field and are able to provide transcript copies showing such?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Heartland Community College

Address 1500 W. Raab Road

Normal, Illinois, 61761

Phone (309) 268-8130

Website http://www.heartland.edu