Inclusion Specialist

The Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department provides inclusion services to people with disability- related needs who are participating in recreation programs offered by our department. Inclusion Specialists are responsible for providing the support required to meet each participant's individual needs. Examples of recreation programs that Inclusion Specialists provide support in include, but are not limited to, Summer Camp, Rec On The Go, Summer Fusion, Youth Sports, Ice Skating Lessons, and various Adaptive Recreation Programs.

Inclusion Specialists report to the Adaptive Recreation Specialist in charge of adaptive recreation and inclusion services. 

Application Deadline:  This job posting will be open until filled.  If you have interest in this position, it is highly recommended that you apply as soon as possible upon seeing the announcement as the vacancy may close without notice.
 

• Provide inclusion support for youth, teens and adults with disability- related needs, including support with social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs when necessary.
• Provide activity adaptations and medical, emotional, and behavioral support when necessary.
• Communicate progress with participant families/guardians/caregivers on a regular basis.
• Communicate with program staff and Adaptive Recreation Specialist about participant progress and necessary accommodations.
• Maintain documentation related to participant progress in each program.
• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

Education
No education requirement

Experience

• 16 years of age or older
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience working with people with disabilities, especially youth and teens, as a staff or volunteer

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work with multiple participants with disability- related needs during program time.
• Must possess a genuine interest in the needs of all participants and be able to work in a team atmosphere.
• Must possess the ability to assess participant progress and make decisions about accommodations during program time.  
• Must possess the ability to interact with participants and parents/guardians/caregivers in a responsible and professional manner and respond to concerns with tact and courtesy.
• Ability to respond maturely to any emergency or incident that may arise.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision during program time.
• Must possess basic problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets/exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
• Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.

• Three (3) years of experience working with people with disability-related needs, especially youth and teens, as a staff or volunteer.
• Be able to provide inclusion services within a variety of recreation programs, including youth day programs, sports camps, ice skating lessons, swimming lessons, and more.
• Current certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Current certification related to program leadership within related field.
• Current with Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential.
• Completion of additional training in Autism, social/emotional support, therapeutic recreation, special education, or related field.
• Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic background.
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese.

About Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Fifty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home. 
Our Vision, Values, GoalsWork Environment:
Work is performed in several types of environments that may involve extended periods of standing, and moving about, facilitating a variety of recreational activities during the day, evenings, or weekends in both indoor and outdoor facilities, and traveling to various locations in the Brooklyn Park area. Inclusion Specialists may need to be able to lift objects weighing up to 30lbs.

Salary : $14 - $26