After School Program: Inclusion Specialist

Job Description:

Reports To: Program Coordinator

Purpose:

The Inclusion Specialist delivers high-quality expanded learning experiences that support the academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth of K-12 youth. Grounded in BACR’s values of Compassion, Curiosity, Humility, Integrity, and Joy, this role creates safe, engaging, and inclusive environments where all students feel valued, respected, and connected.

The Inclusion Specialist ensures students with disabilities and diverse learning needs have equitable access to academic support, enrichment, recreation, leadership opportunities, and peer relationships. Working closely with program staff, school-day personnel, and families, the Inclusion Specialist provides individualized and small-group support, implements accommodations and behavior strategies, and promotes student independence, belonging, and success.

Benefits:

• Pay rate: $24 - $28 an hour, based on regional grant funding and experience
• • Hours negotiated upon hiring (20 - 30 hours per week, depending on location and need)
• Up to 15 paid holidays per year
• Stepping stone into a career in education, leadership, advocacy, social entrepreneurship, and social justice
• Employee assistance program, dental, vision, wellness program, life insurance, flexible spending account, transit and parking flexible spending accounts for commuting expenses, 403b (Eligibility based on total weekly hours)

• People-Centered Service & Care

• BACR Value: Compassion - genuine care for youth, families, and colleagues

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships and foster a strong sense of belonging through consistent connection and proactive support for all students, including students who are disengaged, struggling, or in need of individualized support.
• Support students’ social-emotional learning (SEL) through relationship-building, restorative practices, de-escalation, co-regulation, and strengths-based approaches.
• Provide individualized and small-group support for inclusion students while promoting dignity, independence, and peer connection.
• Address conflict, bullying, exclusion, and behavioral concerns using culturally responsive, restorative approaches.
• Build respectful, professional relationships with families and caregivers while maintaining confidentiality and recognizing them as key partners in student success.

Continuous Learning & Improvement

• BACR Value: Curiosity - actively seeks to learn, grow, and improve practice

• Key Responsibilities

• Participate in training, coaching, staff meetings, and professional development, applying feedback to improve inclusion practices and program quality.
• Use student engagement, behavior, and participation data to refine supports, activities, and routines.
• Engage in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes outlined in the EXL Handbook.
• Provide homework support and skill-building activities, adapting instruction, materials, pacing, groupings, and participation options to meet student needs.
• Use required digital platforms and communication tools (Workday, Workvivo, Google Drive, email) effectively and independently.

Self-Awareness & Inclusive Collaboration

BACR Value: Humility - recognizes limits, honors diverse perspectives, and collaborates effectively

Key Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate inclusive, culturally responsive activities that support diverse backgrounds, abilities, communication styles, sensory needs, and developmental needs through trauma-informed practices.
• Collaborate with program staff, school-day personnel, teachers, case managers, coordinators, and support staff to align student supports and accommodations.
• Foster an equitable and inclusive environment through respectful communication, cultural responsiveness, and awareness of personal and systemic biases.
• Use visual supports, modeling, checks for understanding, sensory-aware strategies, and flexible response methods to support diverse learners.

Ethical & Accountable Practice

BACR Value: Integrity - honesty, accountability, and professional conduct

Key Responsibilities

• Arrive on time and prepared with materials, support strategies, routines, and accessible activities that provide consistency for students.
• Maintain accurate attendance, incident reports, progress notes, and required documentation.
• Implement accommodations, behavior plans, and support strategies with consistency and fidelity.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct in all interactions with youth.
• Notify the coordinator immediately of safety incidents, behavioral concerns, mandated reporting situations, or student needs beyond program capacity.
• Handle sensitive student and family information with discretion and confidentiality.

Positive & Purpose-Driven Engagement

BACR Value: Joy - brings energy, meaning, and genuine connection to the work

Key Responsibilities

• Bring energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude to program activities, remaining engaged during challenging moments.
• Plan and facilitate engaging academic, enrichment, recreation, and leadership activities that incorporate SEL skill development and youth voice.
• Provide specific, genuine praise that recognizes students’ strengths, self-advocacy, effort, persistence, and growth.
• Create predictable routines and accessible learning environments that encourage participation, independence, belonging, and shared decision-making Inclusive Learning & Enrichment
• Design and facilitate engaging academic, enrichment, recreation, and leadership activities that are accessible and meaningful for all learners.
• Incorporate social-emotional learning, youth voice, and collaborative learning opportunities into daily programming.
• Create learning experiences that reflect and celebrate diverse cultures, languages, identities, abilities, and lived experiences using positive Behavior Support & Restorative Practices
• Implement proactive behavior support strategies that promote engagement, self-regulation, and positive peer interactions.
• Respond to behavioral challenges using restorative practices, de-escalation techniques, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Help students develop skills in self-awareness, problem-solving, relationship-building, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy.

Family & School Partnership

• Build respectful, professional relationships with families and caregivers, recognizing them as essential partners in student success.
• Collaborate with site staff, school-day personnel, coordinators, teachers, case managers, and community partners to ensure coordinated support for students.
• Communicate strengths-based updates regarding student participation, progress, concerns, and support needs in a timely and professional manner while maintaining confidentiality.
• Recognize when students require additional support and elevate concerns appropriately.

• Team Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Participate actively in staff meetings, coaching, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Seek feedback, reflect on practice, and engage in continuous learning to improve outcomes for students.
• Collaborate with colleagues to create inclusive, high-quality programming and a positive team culture.
• Contribute to Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes and support program-wide goals.

• Professionalism & Accountability

• Maintain accurate attendance records, incident reports, progress notes, and other required documentation.
• Follow all BACR, district, and site policies, procedures, and safety protocols.
• Uphold professional boundaries, ethical standards, and confidentiality in all interactions.
• Arrive prepared, reliable, and ready to create consistent, engaging experiences for youth.
• Complete all required trainings, certifications, and compliance requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher, 48 college units, or passage of the Instructional Aide examination.
• Experience working with youth in educational, afterschool, enrichment, recreation, or community-based settings.
• Ability to build positive relationships with youth and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and ability backgrounds.
• Ability to work during after-school hours and commit through the academic school year.
• Successful completion of background clearance, TB clearance, and required trainings.
• Basic proficiency with email, Google Drive, and related technology platforms.
• Ability to implement accommodations and collaborate effectively with school-day and expanded learning staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting students with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
• Knowledge of SEL, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, de-escalation, and positive behavior support strategies.
• Experience interpreting and implementing accommodations outlined in IEPs and 504 Plans.
• Familiarity with inclusive practices, visual supports, sensory-aware strategies, assistive technology, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills.
• Experience working in diverse school communities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, sit, kneel, and move throughout program spaces for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to actively supervise and accompany students during indoor and outdoor activities.
• Ability to support students with varying mobility, communication, sensory, and regulation needs.

BACR is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and affirming workplace. This job description reflects core responsibilities and may be updated as program needs evolve.

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About Us:

Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) promotes the healthy development of individuals, families and communities through direct services, volunteerism, and partnerships in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We have deep respect for the communities we serve throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, the dedicated staff who show up for those in need, and the opportunity we have been given through this work to promote resilience in tens of thousands of individuals every year.

BACR is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate, support, and thrive on diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment w/o regard to perceived age, marital or familial status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability including AIDS or AIDS-Related Complex or military status.

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Above is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience/education, skillset, and geographic location.