Inclusion Specialist

Inclusion Specialist

Pay range: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the starting range for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $28.67 - $31.74 per hour. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer, in alignment with Oakland Zoo's compensation philosophy.

Position Summary

The Inclusion Specialist is part of the Learning & Engagement (L&E) Department at the Oakland Zoo and is responsible for creating and maintaining an inclusive and welcoming environment for all L&E program participants regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. This role works with L&E staff on program development and modification, identifies and addresses barriers to inclusion, and ensures that activities and accommodations are accessible to all participants. This includes supporting new L&E hires in inclusion and accessibility trainings and developing supplemental accessibility tools and materials for all L&E programming.

The role leads inclusion efforts for the ZooCamp program for kids entering grades K-8, across its Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer sessions. This includes training camp staff, particularly in supporting neurodivergent campers, developing individualized support plans with campers and families, and managing the scholarship program. The Inclusion Specialist will report directly to the Director of Learning & Engagement.

Essential Job Duties

Learning and Engagement (L&E)

• Work with L&E staff on program development and modification to ensure inclusivity
• Collaborates with L&E staff to ensure that all activities and accommodations are accessible to all program participants.
• Support new hires in Inclusion and Accessibility trainings
• Develop supplemental accessibility tools and materials for all L&E Programming
• Support with scholarship program management for all L&E programs

ZooCamp

• Develops and implements comprehensive inclusion plans for the camp program, which includes up to 164 campers per week.
• Provides training to camp staff on inclusive practices and strategies, specifically for working with neurodivergent campers.
• Works with campers and their families to develop individualized support plans, as needed.
• Identifies and addresses potential barriers to inclusion for campers with neurological or physical differences or from diverse backgrounds.
• Collaborates with camp staff to ensure that all activities and accommodations are accessible to all campers.
• Fosters a culture of inclusivity and respect among camp staff.
• Acts as a point of contact for any personal support people (such as paraprofessionals) assisting campers in a 1:1 capacity.
• Maintains open and effective communication with parents, campers, and staff about campers' experience and needs at camp.
• Prepares weekly camper reports and creates a plan with Instructors and Lead Instructors to support campers' individual needs.
• Monitors campers' behavior and ensures campers follow camp rules and regulations; addresses any issues promptly in accordance with the ZooCamp behavior policy, reporting any larger issues to the ZooCamp Program Manager.
• Provides direct support to campers during camp activities, as necessary.
• Steps in as a substitute instructor if there are excessive callouts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None.

Who You Are

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, which must include 3 years of experience working with students in grades K–8 in special education, or as a personal aid in a similar learning environment.
• Demonstrated ability to create and facilitate team training.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 18 years old.
• Experience working in a collaborative team.
• High emotional intelligence, patience and compassion for others.
• General openness towards people, experiences, and ideas.
• Able to work weekends and evenings as necessary
• Medical requirement: Negative TB test within the last 2 years.

Bonus if you have:

• Nonviolent communication training/experience.
• Interest and passion for wildlife conservation and informal science education.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills.
• Credits or BA/Certification in Special Education, California Special Education Teaching Credential, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification or similar.

Work Environment

• Must be able to work indoors and outdoors (often in dirt and grass) and in variable weather conditions.

Physical Considerations

• Able to spend much of the day standing, walking, reaching, and sometimes other types of physical movement (running, dancing, etc.) when playing with campers during an 8-hour shift.
• Able to bend and twist, lift and carry objects up to 35 lbs, stand, kneel, sit, walk, bend, stoop and speak regularly and for long periods of time (up to 8 hour shifts or more).
• Must be able to walk moderate hills and uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (e.g., steep, muddy, etc.).

Knowledge/Skills/Qualities

• Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing.
• Dependability – demonstrates trustworthiness and reliability, including while working with little or no direct supervision.
• Flexibility – nimbly adapts to evolving priorities and urgent needs; handles intervals of high pressure while maintaining perspective and humor.
• Inclusive Culture – fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
• Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems.
• Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo's mission and PRIDE values at all times.
• Presentation – able to convey ideas clearly and sensitively, highlight key takeaways and translate impact; have thoughtful presence, can quickly build rapport with others, and are comfortable in front of a variety of audiences.
• Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department.
• Technological Aptitude – able to quickly understand, develop and maintain functional digital systems.
• Time Management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments.
• Wildlife Aware – understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at the Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife.

Benefits

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package, including Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Flexible spending account, Retirement plan, Paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, and Zoo Membership options.