Inclusion Paraprofessional – Haverhill YMCA

Help Every Child Belong. Make a Difference Every Day. 💙

Do you have a passion for working with children and helping every child feel included, supported, and successful? Are you patient, compassionate, and looking for a meaningful career where you can make a lasting impact?

The Haverhill YMCA is seeking a caring and dedicated Inclusion Paraprofessional to join our team! In this rewarding role, you'll provide individualized support to children in YMCA programs, helping them build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and fully participate in activities alongside their peers.

Working closely with the Inclusion Team and program staff, you'll help create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

What You'll Do

💙 Provide one-on-one and small group support to children to encourage participation, engagement, and a sense of belonging.

🤝 Foster an inclusive environment by implementing individualized support and behavior strategies that meet each child's unique developmental and sensory needs.

🌟 Build positive relationships with participants while encouraging independence, confidence, communication, and peer interactions.

🧩 Reinforce social-emotional learning through guided activities, positive role modeling, creative play, and sensory-based supports.

👀 Observe participant behaviors, interactions, and progress, sharing feedback with the Inclusion Team and program staff to help ensure continued success.

📋 Maintain accurate documentation and communicate participant progress in a timely and professional manner.

🤝 Collaborate with teachers, program staff, and the Inclusion Team to create consistent, supportive experiences for every child.

🛟 Help maintain a safe, positive, and welcoming environment while supporting daily program operations as needed.

What We're Looking For

✔ Experience working with children in childcare, after-school programs, education, recreation, special education, behavioral health, or a related field.

✔ Passion for supporting children with diverse learning, developmental, behavioral, and sensory needs.

✔ Strong communication, teamwork, and relationship-building skills.

✔ Ability to remain patient, flexible, and positive while supporting children with varying abilities.

✔ Experience implementing behavior support strategies or inclusion practices is preferred but not required.

✔ Commitment to creating an environment where every child feels welcomed, respected, and included.

Why You'll Love Working at the YMCA

💙 FREE YMCA of the North Shore Membership

💸 Employee discounts on YMCA programs, childcare, and camps.

📚 Paid training and professional development opportunities.

📈 Opportunities for career growth within the YMCA of the North Shore.

💰 Retirement plan with a 12% employer contribution (once vested; no employee match required).

🌟 Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Join Our Team!

If you're passionate about helping children build confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and reach their full potential, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today and help create an inclusive environment where every child belongs at the Haverhill YMCA!

Preferred Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• At least one year of experience working with children or youth in a group setting, such as childcare, after-school programs, camps, recreation, or schools.
• Basic understanding of child development and social-emotional learning.
• Ability to build positive, supportive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Strong observation skills with the ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in a dynamic environment.
• Willingness to learn and implement inclusion strategies, behavior supports, and individualized approaches to meet participant needs.
• Experience supporting children with diverse developmental, behavioral, or sensory needs is a plus, but not required.

Requirements

• Successfully complete and maintain a Background Record Check (BRC) in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulations.
• Complete all required onboarding, training, certifications, and program orientation in accordance with YMCA of the North Shore and EEC requirements.
• Maintain current Adult, Child, and Infant CPR/First Aid Certification (or obtain certification within the required timeframe).
• Maintain all documentation and certifications required by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position involves working directly with children in active program settings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit (including on the floor) for extended periods.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to bend, kneel, squat, twist, reach, and actively participate in children's activities.
• Ability to effectively communicate with children, families, and staff.
• Ability to observe program activities and respond quickly to emergencies using visual and auditory awareness.
• Ability to travel between YMCA program locations as needed.

The YMCA is committed to a nondiscrimination policy and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, protected genetic information, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

Salary : $25