Inclusion Specialist (West Side YMCA)

About the role

The YMCA of Greater New York empowers youth, improves health, and strengthens community through programs and services at 24 branches serving more than half a million New Yorkers. The West Side YMCA is seeking an Inclusion Specialist to support children’s learning, build strong connections, and create a safe, fun space where kids can grow. This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference while gaining leadership and interpersonal experience.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and develop programming in partnership with the Content Specialist to serve a diverse group of participants, ensuring accessibility for everyone in the community.
• Create and implement inclusive outreach strategies to engage individuals who may face extra barriers to participation, including physical barriers.
• Foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where all young people and their families feel valued, respected, and heard.
• Manage participants’ Individualized Accommodation Plans and maintain student behavioral support plans and logs.
• Support the implementation of systems for tracking student behaviors and collaborate with staff, caregivers, and teachers to identify individual behavior support techniques for students experiencing challenges.
• Partner with the Program Director to ensure social-emotional development and behavior management are infused into programming.
• Guide staff on how to effectively implement behavioral strategies in the learning environment.
• Communicate with DYCD about needs for specialized supports that are beyond the program’s capacity.
• Ensure staff are familiar with common mental health support needs (e.g., depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse) and a trauma-informed programming approach to support all participants and families.
• Support the creation of a resource center for stakeholders to ensure ongoing support for topics and issues as they arise.
• Provide reliable information about available resources and make relevant referrals for mental health services and additional services as needed.
• Respond appropriately when time-sensitive mental health services are needed, such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to the death or incarceration of a family member.
• Implement lessons and training on how to provide additional support and services to enable full participation for those with special needs, both physical and cognitive.
• Conduct technical assistance with YMCA staff in programming related to behavior challenges, engagement, and social-emotional development.
• If applicable, provide task management with social work interns to provide purposeful roles that support the behavioral, emotional, and physical needs of the participants.
• Adhere to all Office of Children and Family Services, Department of Health, New York City Public Schools, YMCA of Greater New York, and funder standards, expectations, and regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Social Sciences, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field required.
• ME, MSW/MHC student or graduate preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children under the age of 13.
• Current Pediatrics CPR or First Aid certification preferred.
• Ability to speak multiple languages preferred.
• General knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and comfortable working with diverse youth and adults.

Benefits

• Retirement benefits
• Medical benefits
• Paid time off
• Free YMCA membership