1. Job Summary:

The Inclusion Specialist Staff assists with planning, leading, and evaluating group experiences for children with special needs at an elementary school child care site before and/or after school. The incumbent provides quality recreational experiences for children that focus on the YMCA core values of honesty, equity, respect, responsibility, and caring.

2. Essential Functions:

Provide hands-on guidance and support for children with special needs in grades K-5 in a before and after school setting.
Assist the Director with the planning, and implementation of the program activities while working with a small group of children.
Provide direction to program staff on the needs of special needs children during program activities.
Assist in the promotion of the program including calendars, newsletters, and other forms of communication with parents and the community.
Continuously evaluate programs and recommend changes to the Director.
Ensure that the site is kept clean and organized.
Perform administrative activities to support the program, including record and file maintenance, registration, release forms, and emergency forms.

3. Relationships:

This position reports directly to the Site Director. The incumbent interacts with children, parents, staff, school employees, and the general community. The incumbent has regular contact with children and parents. This position involves interaction with individuals from a diverse background.

4. Qualifications:

Required:

Must be a minimum of 16 years of age
6 months minimum experience working with youth or as Child Care Program Staff.
Current certification in CPR or CPR/PR (Professional Rescuer); First Aid and AED (Automated External Defibrillators). Must be able to obtain certifications within 30 days of hire.
Knowledge of general principles in such areas as child development, child guidance, human relations, communication, or recreational programs
Demonstrated commitment to working with school age children in a recreational setting.
Demonstrated communication (verbal or written), organization, creative problem solving, and human relations skills.
Willingness to work with special needs children from diverse populations.

Preferred:

Degree in education, recreation, or related field.
Knowledge and/or experience working with special needs children.
Knowledge in planning, organizing, communicating and implementing school age recreation programs.

5. Work Conditions:

Will restrain or physically support children weighing 50+ pounds, as needed for safety, during activities that may require stooping, kneeling or crouching.
Lead and participate in activities that may include running, throwing, and kicking.
Able to sit low at child size seating and instruct/work with children at tables.
Classrooms range from quiet work areas to busy, noisy environments with several groups talking amongst themselves concurrently.
May provide children with assistance in dealing with issues such as personal hygiene, medical needs, toileting, diapering, lifting, writing, feeding, and getting in or out of transportation.
May be exposed to verbal outbursts, physical actions or bodily fluids as part of the child care environment.
Set up tables weighing up to 50 lbs

6. Additional Notes:

This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The incumbent is also responsible for taking direction from branch representatives in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the branch or Association success.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Pledge

The Y of the North is committed to the work and everyday practices of eliminating disparities and eradicating of unjust systems to become a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive organization. YMCA of the North team members and volunteers must exemplify the association’s mission, vision and values of caring, equity, honesty, respect and responsibility.

The YMCA of the North continues to develop plans and strategies to ensure team members and volunteers reflect the demographics of the communities we serve. We will continually conduct institutional racism and oppression review of our policies, procedures and practices in recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive work environment and culture that promotes equity and respect for the human dignity of all. We value and respect this diversity and choose to be inclusive through our acceptance of all.