Community Development Specialist
Child Care Resource and Referral of Southeast Iowa, a program of Community Action of
Eastern Iowa, has an opening for a full time Community Development Specialist. Child Care
Resource and Referral (CCR&R) promotes quality child care by providing support, consultation,
and technical assistance to child care centers and home child care programs. We also support
families looking for child care by providing resources and information.
The primary role of the Community Development Specialist is to advocate for affordable,
accessible, quality child care within all communities. This includes the recruitment of new
programs, conversations with community leaders and employers, and marketing CCR&R
services to providers and parents.
Responsibilities include:
- Promote all Child Care Resource and Referral services.
- Develop, promote, and utilize tools to assist with increasing the number of child care
providers in the region. - Support providers who are interested in opening a family child care home, including
receiving and reviewing registration applications. Ensure all details are complete in the
application packet and submit all completed applications to the state. - Develop a marketing plan, including social media, website updates, public service
announcements and electronic newsletters, utilizing consistent CCR&R branding
including brochures and other materials directed at businesses. - Actively engage with community members throughout the region to understand the
outstanding child care needs and share data. This includes presentations to business
leaders and employees, participation in employee fairs and other community events
throughout the region to spotlight available CCR&R services.
A successful Community Development Specialist candidate will have: - office organizational skills with attention to detail and understanding of common
computer applications - effective skills in both oral and written communication
- effective interpersonal skills for working with child care providers, child care program
administrators, co-workers, and the general public - ability to use appropriate strategies to foster the professional development of others
Required Education for Community Development Specialist : Minimum of an BA in
childhood education, business, economic development, or related field and marketing or
program outreach experience.
Benefits include: - Paid leave time and paid holidays
- Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Insurance Packages
- Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) of Southeast Iowa is part of a statewide network
to supports quality care throughout the state of Iowa. CCR&R provides child care providers with
training, technical assistance, and resources that support regulatory compliance and continuous
quality improvement. The program also contributes to recruitment and retention by helping
providers start new programs, strengthen business practices, and sustain operations over time.
Through these efforts, along with working with area employers and businesses, CCR&R
increases access to high-quality child care options for Iowa children and families.
Community Action of Eastern Iowa (CAEI) is a nonprofit agency that works to empower
individuals and families to overcome barriers and achieve lasting self-sufficiency. The
organization delivers a broad range of services—such as Head Start and Early Head Start,
energy assistance, weatherization, food and family development programs, and child care
supports—that address both immediate needs and long-term stability. Through respectful,
community-based partnerships, CAEI helps individuals build skills, strengthen financial security,
and create pathways to opportunity.