After School Program: Inclusion Specialist

Bay Area Community Resources (BACR)•San Francisco, CA

3d•$25 - $27

About The Position

The Inclusion Specialist delivers high-quality expanded learning experiences that support the academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth of K–12 youth. Guided by BACR’s values of Compassion, Curiosity, Humility, Integrity, and Joy, the role creates safe, engaging, and inclusive environments where students feel valued, respected, and connected. The specialist ensures students with disabilities and diverse learning needs have equitable access to academic support, enrichment, recreation, leadership opportunities, and peer relationships. Working with program staff, school-day personnel, and families, the specialist provides individualized and small-group support, implements accommodations and behavior strategies, and promotes student independence, belonging, and success. The position provides inclusive academic, enrichment, recreation, and leadership activities; supports social-emotional learning and positive peer relationships; and applies restorative, trauma-informed, and strengths-based practices. The specialist collaborates with families, school personnel, and colleagues, communicates student updates professionally and confidentially, maintains required records, follows safety and program policies, and participates in training and continuous quality improvement. The role requires after-school availability and a commitment through the academic school year. Hours are negotiated upon hiring and are 15–25 hours per week depending on location and need.

Requirements

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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Build trusting relationships and foster belonging through consistent connection and proactive support for students, including those who are disengaged or need individualized support.
Support students’ social-emotional learning through relationship-building, restorative practices, de-escalation, co-regulation, and strengths-based approaches.
Provide individualized and small-group support while promoting students’ dignity, independence, and peer connection.
Address conflict, bullying, exclusion, and behavioral concerns using culturally responsive and restorative approaches.
Build professional relationships with families and caregivers, maintain confidentiality, and recognize families as partners in student success.
Participate in training, coaching, staff meetings, and professional development; apply feedback to improve inclusion practices and program quality.
Use student engagement, behavior, and participation data to refine supports, activities, and routines, and engage in Continuous Quality Improvement processes.
Provide homework support and skill-building activities, adapting instruction, materials, pacing, groupings, and participation options to student needs.
Use required digital platforms and communication tools, including Workday, Workvivo, Google Drive, and email.
Design and facilitate inclusive, culturally responsive activities that address diverse backgrounds, abilities, communication styles, sensory needs, and developmental needs using trauma-informed practices.
Collaborate with program staff, school-day personnel, teachers, case managers, coordinators, and support staff to align student supports and accommodations.
Promote equity and inclusion 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.
Arrive on time and prepared with materials, support strategies, routines, and accessible activities.
Maintain accurate attendance records, incident reports, progress notes, and other required documentation.
Implement accommodations, behavior plans, and support strategies consistently and with fidelity.
Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct in interactions with youth.
Immediately notify the coordinator of safety incidents, behavioral concerns, mandated reporting situations, or student needs beyond program capacity.
Handle sensitive student and family information with discretion and confidentiality.
Bring energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude to program activities, including during challenging moments.
Plan and facilitate academic, enrichment, recreation, and leadership activities that incorporate SEL skill development and youth voice.
Give genuine, specific 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.
Create learning experiences that reflect and celebrate diverse cultures, languages, identities, abilities, and lived experiences.
Implement proactive behavior support strategies that promote engagement, self-regulation, and positive peer interactions.
Help students develop self-awareness, problem-solving, relationship-building, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy skills.
Communicate strengths-based updates regarding student participation, progress, concerns, and support needs in a timely and professional manner while maintaining confidentiality.
Recognize when students need additional support and elevate concerns appropriately.
Follow BACR, district, and site policies, procedures, and safety protocols; complete required trainings, certifications, and compliance requirements.
Collaborate with colleagues to create inclusive, high-quality programming and a positive team culture, and support program-wide goals.

Benefits

Up to 15 paid holidays per year.
Employee assistance program.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Wellness program.
Life insurance.
Flexible spending account.
Transit and parking flexible spending accounts for commuting expenses.
403(b) retirement plan; eligibility is based on total weekly hours.
Career-development opportunity described as a stepping stone into education, leadership, advocacy, social entrepreneurship, and social justice.