Inclusion Companion for Before and After Care

Howard County Government•Columbia, MD

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Inclusion Companions support individuals with disabilities in social inclusion opportunities in licensed childcare settings. They work in before- and after-school Recreational Licensed Childcare programs and/or Early Learning Centers, supporting one to three assigned individuals. Work locations depend on program needs and may include elementary schools or the Early Learning Centers at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center and Roger Carter Community Center. This contingent/paraprofessional position is expected to involve 10–25 hours per week. Before- and after-care programs operate Monday through Friday, except school holidays, with hours varying by school schedules. Typical morning hours are 6:45 a.m.–9:30 a.m. and afternoon hours are 2:45 p.m.–6:15 p.m. Early Learning Center hours are typically 8:15 a.m.–4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except school holidays. Pay depends on experience and skills needed: Level I, $17.00–$18.50 per hour; Level II, $18.50–$19.50; Level III, $19.50–$20.50; and Level IV, $20.50–$24.00. The appropriate experience and education level depends on the individual’s disability, required accommodations, and independence. Level I involves no experience or less than one year working with people with disabilities and placement with an individual with a mild disability. Level II requires more than one year of relevant experience and experience with mild to moderate disabilities. Level III requires more than two years of relevant experience with mild to severe disabilities and coursework in recreation, psychology, special education, or a related field. Level IV requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, or extensive related coursework, at least two years of experience with mild to severe disabilities, and specific expertise such as behavior management or sign language; this level supports individuals with more severe disabilities. Applicants must complete an online employment application; a resume cannot substitute for the application’s work-history section. Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Howard County Government is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Meet Office of Childcare requirements and qualification guidelines.
Have reliable transportation.
Pass criminal background and abuse-clearance checks.
Complete six hours of continuing education units in core knowledge and specific mandated training.
Complete a medical evaluation.
Provide personnel records, including applicable training documentation, a high school diploma and/or college transcript, and age verification.
Communicate effectively with individuals with various types of disabilities.
Advocate for individuals with disabilities to promote social inclusion within the program.
Work effectively with large and small groups.
Have an enthusiastic, committed attitude toward providing recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Experience requirements vary by level: Level I has no experience or less than one year working with individuals with disabilities; Level II requires more than one year; Level III requires more than two years; Level IV requires two or more years working with individuals with mild to severe disabilities.
Level III requires coursework in recreation, psychology, special education, or a related field.
Level IV requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, or extensive coursework in psychology, sociology, recreation, special education, or a related field, plus specific expertise in behavior management, sign language, or another specialty.

Responsibilities

Actively and responsibly supervise the one to three individuals assigned to the companion.
Coordinate with program directors and leaders to adapt activities when necessary.
Assist individuals with disabilities in accessing all facets of the program and participating in social inclusion opportunities.
Maintain and follow behavior protocols when necessary.
Assist with activities of daily living.
Communicate daily or weekly with parents, onsite staff, and supervisors.
When an individual does not require one-on-one attention for the entire activity, assist with basic program duties.
Complete required paperwork, including incident reports, communications with supervisors, and timecards.
Be aware of safety concerns and communicate them to program directors and leaders.
Enforce behavior intervention strategies when necessary.