Inclusion Specialist - School Age Care Program (Shoreview)

School Age Care Inclusion Specialist Staff | Shoreview YMCA | $17.50hour | Part-time (M–F)

At a glance:
The Shoreview YMCA is seeking compassionate, patient, and enthusiastic Inclusion Specialist Staff to join our School Age Care program across Shoreview, Arden Hills, and New Brighton. Support neurodivergent children and children with special needs in grades K–5 by providing individualized support and fostering a safe, inclusive, and structured environment. Ideal for those who want to make a meaningful difference each day. Includes a free Y membership plus growth opportunities!

The salary for this position is at $17.50 hourly. We take into consideration an individual’s background and experience in determining salary; therefore, base pay offered may vary considerably depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes a wide range of other benefits and earned time off that vary depending on part-time or full-time status.

1. Job Summary:

The Inclusion Specialist Staff assists with planning, leading, and evaluating group experiences for children with special needs at a childcare site. The incumbent provides quality recreational experiences for children that focus on the YMCA core values of caring, equity, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

2. Essential Functions:

• Provide hands-on guidance and support for children with special needs.
• 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 neurodivergent 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.
• Maintain employee and program requirements for Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Certified Centers or Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DHS) Licensed Centers.

3. Relationships:

This position reports directly to the Site or Center 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 18 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 contain or physically support children weighing 50 pounds, as needed for safety, during activities that may require stooping, kneeling or crouching.
• Actively participate in youth games/activities, which include getting in the water during swimming.
• 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 childcare environment.
• Perform all physical aspects of the position, including moving around, bending, reaching, and lifting 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.