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Play and Learning Specialist, East Aurora, NY
Jul 23 04
Source: CHI-JOBS
Overview:
Open, full time position, available immediately:
PLAY AND LEARNING SPECIALIST
Fisher-Price, Inc.
East Aurora, NY
Overview: Fisher-Price, the leading name in the children’s consumer products industry and part of the #1 toy and children’s products company in the world (Mattel), has an immediate opening for a Play and Learning Specialist. With over 75 years of experience, we are committed to working with both children and parents to ensure that our products reflect the best possible combination of developmental benefits and learning features while engaging children’s imagination and curiosity.
Our company offers excellent career growth as well as a superb benefits package. As part of our corporate family, we have been recognized as one of the Top 100 Companies to Work For as well as among the Top 100 Companies for Working Women.
We are located in East Aurora, New York, near Buffalo and approximately one and a half hours from Toronto.
Responsibilities:
As a Play and Learning Specialist, you will be responsible for evaluating and assisting in the development of educational products, especially learning toys, new technologies, and accompanying software. Responsibilities of this position include:
(1) Conducting product test sessions with children during key milestones of the development cycle, including in-home tests.
(2) Collaborating with designers, engineers, the sound studio, and various product team members to develop educational content and design features for interactive toys.
(3) Providing producers with information on general child development, play patterns, developmentally appropriate curricula and educational standards, technology, and scripting.
(4) Facilitating focus group discussions with parents to gather their opinions of new product ideas and to better understand issues that are important to them.
(5) Facilitating creative problem solving sessions with the product team to develop innovative products in the most timely and cost-effective manner.
(6) Evaluating current and new technologies, software, and electronic toys for age appropriateness, appeal, educational value, and play applications.
(7) Reading popular and trade publications to keep track of current trends in education, child development, interactive technologies, and the toy industry.
(8) Collaborating with external educational consultants, artists, producers, writers, and researchers on specific projects.
Qualifications:
(1) Masters degree in developmental psychology, educational psychology, early childhood education, or related field; Ph.D. preferred.
(2) Minimum of 5-7 years experience evaluating and/or developing curricula and educational content for children’s interactive media, electronic toys, or related products.
(3) Strong knowledge of interactive media, curriculum, evaluation/research, and child development.
(4) Excellent rapport with children as well as keen observation skills.
(5) Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with people at all levels and in a team environment.
(6) Exceptional verbal, presentation, and written communication skills.
(7) Strong analytical skills. Must be able to determine solutions, make sound judgments, and carry out actions in an effective and timely manner.
(8) Creative problem-solving skills.
(9) Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple projects and prioritize work without missing critical deadlines.
(10) Strong knowledge of PCs and software, including MS Windows, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
(11) A high energy level and passion for working in this field.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience. We also offer an excellent benefits package, half-day Fridays year round, and a winter holiday break.
To Apply: To apply, please send your resume and letter of interest to careers-AT-fisher-price.com or apply through our website at http://www.fisher-price.com/us/hr/.
Contact: Human Resources, Fisher-Price.
Deadline: Open Until Filled.