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 - $27 an hour, based on regional grant funding and experience Hours negotiated upon hiring (15 - 25 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

Compassion

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.

Curiosity

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.

Humility

Self-Awareness & Inclusive Collaboration

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.

Integrity

Ethical & Accountable Practice

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.

Joy

Positive & Purpose-Driven Engagement

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.

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.

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. Visit our website at

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.

ARE YOU EXTRAORDINARY? We put people at the center of everything we do. With a diversity of backgrounds, ideas, opinions, and life experiences we hire individuals within the community who are passionate about making a difference. When you join BACR, you join a team with leaders, doers, and big thinkers, who are committed to giving back to their community. Our culture is one that encourages, supports, and celebrates our diversity and looks to expand and build it constantly. We are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, where there are opportunities for all, everyone feels like they belong, and different perspectives are valued. No matter what your experience is - you CAN make a difference! Thank you for your interest in a career at BACR! BACR staff make a lasting impact across California, serving tens of thousands of children, youth, and families every day. BACR staff continue to create meaningful change in every community we serve. We continually witness the strength and resilience of the individuals and families we serve who are often those most adversely impacted by systemic racism, poverty, and inequitable access to resources and opportunities. BACR has remained steadfast to our mission: We work in the heart of our communities to foster generational change. We are grateful for the opportunity to support communities throughout the Bay Area, promoting resilience, health and justice and to our dedicated staff who serve those communities with compassion, passion, creativity and talent.

Compassion – We approach all we do with a caring heart and a people‑centered mindset. Curiosity – We challenge ourselves to learn, stretch, grow, and innovate. Humility – We acknowledge our own limits and actively appreciate others’ perspectives and lived experiences. Integrity – We value and respect the trust given to us by our communities. We operate with honesty, accountability, and consistency. Joy – We lead with gratitude, sprinkle in humor, and lift each other’s spirits.