Inclusion Specialist, After School Program

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan•New York, NY

About The Position

The Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center of Manhattan is seeking an Inclusion Specialist for its After School Clubhouse, an inclusive afterschool community for children from Pre-K through Grade 5. The role strengthens and implements the program’s inclusive model so children with a range of learning, communication, sensory, behavioral, and social-emotional needs can meaningfully participate. Working with Clubhouse leadership and staff, families, and the Center for Diverse Abilities (CDA), the specialist provides consultation, individualized strategies, and staff coaching. The role translates information from families, schools, IEPs, evaluations, and other providers into practical afterschool supports and promotes continuity across school, home, and Clubhouse. Clubhouse operates Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., September through June, following a school-year calendar with scheduled breaks and closures. This is a program-wide inclusion and capacity-building role, not a dedicated one-to-one support position. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Background in social work, special education, psychology, child development, occupational therapy, counseling, or a related field.
Experience supporting neurodivergent children and/or children with disabilities in inclusive settings.
Knowledge of neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based practices and experience translating recommendations into practical strategies.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with children, families, staff, educators, and other professionals.
Flexible, practical, and comfortable working within a busy afterschool environment.

Responsibilities

Observe classrooms, activities, and transitions and provide practical, real-time consultation to counselors and Clubhouse leadership.
Help staff problem-solve around regulation, executive functioning, sensory needs, communication, transitions, peer relationships, behavior, and participation.
Provide classroom-specific coaching, case consultation, and modeling to build staff capacity to support children.
Support neurodiversity onboarding for new staff and ongoing training through role-playing, case discussions, and consultation based on current participants.
Review intake information, IEPs, evaluations, and family recommendations and translate them into practical Clubhouse strategies.
Develop individualized tools and support plans, including visual supports, sensory accommodations, transition strategies, communication approaches, and regulation supports.
Partner with families to understand children’s strengths, needs, and successful strategies and create a consistent feedback loop between families and Clubhouse.
With family permission, communicate with school teams and providers when helpful to strengthen continuity across settings.
Help establish consistent systems for identifying support needs, documenting strategies, communicating them to staff, and following up on what is working.
Collaborate with the Inclusive Classroom Designer and Clubhouse team to implement environmental and sensory recommendations within classrooms.
Work alongside the Social Work Intern to coordinate observations, individualized strategies, and follow-up for children who may benefit from additional support.
Partner with Clubhouse and CDA leadership to identify recurring needs and use them to inform PINE training, staff resources, and future program improvements.