Inclusion Specialist, After School Program

The Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center in Manhattan is looking for an Inclusion Specialist for their After School Clubhouse program! After School Clubhouse is a warm, inclusive afterschool community for children from Pre-K through Grade 5. Children participate in small, age-based groups and enjoy creative play, art, physical activity, snack, homework and reading time, and other JCC programs.

The Inclusion Specialist will help strengthen and implement Clubhouse's established inclusive model, ensuring children with a range of learning, communication, sensory, behavioral, and social-emotional needs can meaningfully participate in the Clubhouse community. Working closely with Clubhouse leadership, staff, families, and the Center for Diverse Abilities (CDA), the Inclusion Specialist will provide ongoing consultation, individualized strategies, and staff coaching. A central focus will be translating information from families, schools, IEPs, evaluations, and other providers into practical supports that work within an afterschool environment and create greater continuity across school, home, and Clubhouse.

Clubhouse operates Monday–Thursday, 2:30–5:30 pm, from September through June, following a school-year calendar with scheduled breaks and closures.

The Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center of Manhattan

Together with our community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates a welcoming and vibrant environment where individuals from all walks of life come together to connect, grow, and learn. Rooted in Jewish values, it is a cornerstone of the Upper West Side that provides something for every stage of life through a multifaceted array of offerings, spanning comprehensive children's and family programs, cutting-edge health and wellness, thought-provoking arts and culture, and vital social services. It imagines Jewish life that is inclusive and diverse, creating a supportive space for people of all backgrounds to engage, nurture their well-being, and find a deep sense of belonging.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Consultation + Coaching

• 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 so staff build their own capacity to support children successfully.
• Support neurodiversity onboarding for new staff and ongoing training through role-playing, case discussions, and consultation based on current participants.

Individualized Supports + Family Partnership

• Review intake information, IEPs, evaluations, and family recommendations and help translate them into practical strategies for Clubhouse.
• Develop simple 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.
• Program Implementation + Systems
• 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.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities 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.

ROLE INTENT

This is a program-wide inclusion and capacity-building role, not a dedicated 1:1 support position. The Inclusion Specialist will strengthen the ability of Clubhouse staff and systems to support children with diverse needs and promote meaningful participation for all.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Supportive, mission-driven work environment
• Opportunities for professional development and mentorship
• Access to all the JCC's cultural, learning, arts, and film programs
• Investment in professional development and leadership skills
• Free fitness membership for the pool and health club

COMPENSATION

This position offers a compensation of $35.00-$40.00 per hour.

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, marital status and civil partnership/union status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other characteristic as established and protected by applicable federal, state or local law.