Child Development Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established January 5, 1977

Scope

This series specification describes five class levels for Child Development in the Department of Education. These classes are used for positions responsible for the development, conduct, coordination, and evaluation of preschool, pre-kindergarten, children's center, and other group child development projects.

Definition of Series

Persons in these classes develop, promote, evaluate, and assist in establishing preschool and child development programs at the local level while disseminating and promulgating desirable practices for the education of preschool children on a statewide basis. They consult with and advise county offices of education and district school administrators, preschool education program directors, directors and supervisors of children's centers, and other group child development agency administrators, and others regarding State policies, laws, rules, and regulations with respect to preschool and child development programs and facilities; provide guidance to applicants for funds and in the development of programs; review and process project applications for recommendation to the State Board of Education; provide guidance regarding approved accounting systems and fiscal practices that relate to funding and operation of programs; assist in developing programs for parent involvement, participation, and education, and for the in-service education of teachers; recommend and advise on facilities, equipment, supplies, and furnishings to be used in preschool; advise and assist in implementing health and nutritional programs and required social services; recommend and prepare appropriate manuals, bulletins, and teaching materials on curricular, instructional, supervisory, and administrative problems relating to group child development; conduct and participate in conferences, workshops, statewide and regional committees, study groups, and teachers' in-service programs; and to do other related work.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Scope and level of responsibilities assigned; complexity of work; independence of action; level and scope of responsibility of program and policy development and implementation; impact of decision making on statewide programs; and the degree of supervisory and administrative responsibility.

Definition of Levels

Child Development Assistant

This is the entry and first journey level in this series. This class is used as a permanent level for lesser skilled functions and as a training level for the higher professional levels in the series. The Assistant typically works under the general supervision of an Administrator in performing more routine administrative assignments and consultative services to local districts in such areas as screening applications for completeness and accuracy; obtaining documentation needed to bring funding applications to approvable condition, interpreting statutes, guidelines, and regulations; reviewing requests for budget transfers and amendments; inspecting sites and facilities for conformance with minimum standards; reviewing records of documentation of medical and dental screening, social services, and inventories of equipment and developing information on projects for records and statistical purposes. More experienced incumbents carry out administrative assignments, consultation, and assistance to local administrators of child development programs in less complex or sensitive phases of the program; and monitor program components, prepare reports, and make recommendations for improving project effectiveness or on funding of agencies. Incumbents may also work under the lead of a Consultant.

Child Development Consultant

This is the full journey level in the series. The Consultant serves as a departmental representative on child development programs in a geographic area, or serves as a statewide specialist for particular child development components.

Under the direction of an Administrator, consultants have general responsibility for all activities in their geographic, subject-matter, or functional area. They provide coordination and liaison among various private, State, and other public agencies which provide services to children; evaluate curricula for use in child development programs; review recommendations of lower level staff related to applications for funding, site, and facilities inspections and decide what action is to be taken; participate in developing the annual work plan as part of the budget; and perform the more difficult, sensitive, and complex program formulation, analysis, implementation, administrative, and assessment activities. Consultants may also provide leadership and training to incumbents in the Assistant class in this series.

Child Development Administrator I

This is the first supervisory level in the series over qualified professionals at the Consultant and Assistant levels. Incumbents normally report to a higher level Administrator in the field of child development programs. Under direction, the Administrator I typically plans, organizes, and directs the work of a program unit or may assist a higher level Administrator in directing the development, administration, and evaluation of programs of a major unit with major administrative or functional responsibilities. Nonsupervisory positions may occasionally be allocated to this class to perform high level administrative, coordinative, and consultative studies and projects for programs that are multiunit or multidivisional in scope. Incumbents functioning in this capacity typically report to an Assistant Superintendent or higher level position.

Child Development Administrator II

This is the first managerial level of the series. Under general direction, incumbents are responsible for a major program unit with leadership responsibilities for a major administrative or functional subdivision of the child development program of the Department. A very limited number of staff positions may also be allocated to this level based on program development, program monitoring, coordinate or functional supervisory responsibilities equivalent in level to administrative positions in the class. Such positions normally report to the Associate Superintendent or higher level.

Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Child Development, Cea

Under administrative direction, this level is responsible for planning, developing, administering, and coordinating the child development program of the Department of Education.

Minimum Qualifications

Credential Requirements

All Levels:

Possession of a valid credential or permit authorizing public school service in California. (Applicants who do not possess the required credential or permit will be admitted to the examination, but must secure the credential or permit before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) (A Master's Degree or equivalent in Child Growth and Development, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, or a related subject with emphasis in childhood development may be substituted for the credential requirement.)

Child Development Assistant

Possession of a valid children's center supervision permit or comprehensive parent education credential or a credential of equivalent authorization.

Child Development Consultant

Child Development Administrator I

Child Development Administrator II

Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Child Development, Cea

Possession of a valid administration credential or credential or life diploma of equivalent authorization. (One year of experience in the California Department of Education performing the duties of a professional education class at a level equivalent to the class of Child Development Assistant, Range B, or higher may be substituted for the required credential. Experience used in this manner to meet the credential requirement must be in addition to that used to meet the general experience requirement.)

Experience Requirements

All Levels:

1. Experience applicable to one of the following patterns may be combined on a proportional basis with experience applicable to the other to meet the total experience requirement.

2. Experience in the California state service applied toward the general experience pattern must include the same number of years of qualifying experience as required in the promotional pattern performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that described in the promotional experience pattern.

Child Development Assistant

Two years of experience as a teacher in a child development, preschool, or related community action program. and One year of experience in one of the following:

1. As head teacher in one of the above schools or centers.

2. As a team leader of a differentiated staff in preschool education.

3. As a consultant, supervisor, or administrator in preschool education.

Child Development Consultant

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing child development or elementary education duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to a Child Development Assistant, Range B.

Or II

Two years of administrative, supervisory, or consultant level experience in a nonfamily child development center, preschool program, parent-involvement child development program, or a comparable child development program administered by a school, community action agency, county school office, or State, or Federal agency.

Child Development Administrator I

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing child development or elementary education duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to a Child Development Consultant.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing child development or elementary education duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to a Child Development Assistant, Range B.

Or III

Three years of administrative, supervisory, or consultant level experience in a nonfamily child development center, preschool program, parent-involvement child development program, or a comparable child development program administered by a school, community action agency, county school office, or State, or Federal agency.

Child Development Administrator II

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing child development or elementary education duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to at least that of a Child Development Administrator I.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing child development or elementary education duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to at least that of a Child Development Consultant.

Or III

Four years of administrative, supervisory, or consultant level experience in a nonfamily child development center, preschool program, parent-involvement child development program, or a comparable child development program administered by a school, community action agency, county school office, State, or Federal agency.

Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Child Development, Cea

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing child development or elementary education duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Child Development Administrator II.

Or II

Two years of experience performing child development or elementary education duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Child Development Administrator I.

Or III

Five years of broad and extensive administrative, supervisory, or consultant level experience in a nonfamily child development center, preschool program, parent-involvement child development program, or a comparable child development program administered by a school, community action agency, county school office, or State or Federal agency.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Modern principles, trends, and practices in children's centers and preschool childhood education; educational programs for children from varied social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds; and growth and development patterns, and problems of young children.

Ability to: Demonstrate effective classroom procedures; establish and maintain cooperative relations with persons contacted in the course of the work; communicate effectively with individuals of various ethnic backgrounds; communicate effectively; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; develop curricula in the field of preschool education; formulate and carry out research studies; and conduct conferences, workshops, and teachers' institutes.

Child Development Consultant

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, current developments and research in children's centers, preschool education, parent education, and kindergarten; literature and other instructional material in the fields of preschool education; and functions and purposes of Federal legislation, the Education Code, and regulations of the State Board of Education pertaining to preschool education.

Ability to: All of the above.

Child Development Administrator I

Child Development Administrator II

Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Child Development, Cea

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, the organization and functions of the State Department of Education; principles of public administration, budgeting, and personnel management; program planning procedures; program development and implementation; program audit procedures; and the Department's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: In addition to the above, provide leadership and direction to a statewide education program; work effectively with top administrative personnel in the Department and other agencies; supervise subordinate staff; and effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Special Personal Requirement

All Levels:

Evidence of: Willingness to travel throughout the State.

Class History