The University of Pittsburgh's Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Department of Psychology, is currently seeking up to a qualified Child Development Specialist. This is a full-time position that will serve as an interventionist for PlayReadVIP, an initiative aimed at supporting parents of newborn infants in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. PlayReadVIP is a video-based parenting program that traditionally takes place at pediatric primary care centers as part of well-child visits during a child's first five years of life. The PlayReadVIP interventionist will work with families who have enrolled in The Pittsburgh Study-Early Childhood Collaborative.
For the present position, PlayReadVIP visits will take place virtually, or in pediatric clinics, WIC offices, and also Family Support Centers, as well as in family's homes. Duties will include learning and applying PlayReadVIP, an evidence-based parenting intervention that provides parents of young children with direct feedback to promote children's language development and other school readiness skills. The individuals would have a caseload of approximately 20-25 families each week, with average sessions taking 25-30 minutes. The incumbents will also be responsible for attending supervision and staff meetings and for collaborating with other intervention staff, as well as appointment scheduling and record-keeping.

Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

This position requires a high degree of flexibility and willingness to work "odd hours" to accommodate families' scheduling needs.

Because of the field work requirement at agencies and clinics that serve pediatric populations and require their staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, this position will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Preferred applicants will have BA/BS in child development, psychology, infant mental health, or a related field, as well as 1-2 years of experience working with families in clinical or research setting. Comfort in working with parents and very young children; experience working with families of young children preferred.

Valid PA Driver's License and Child Protection Clearances required. The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, and PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

Background Check: for position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check.