Inclusion Aide - West - Seaspar

Are you looking for a part-time job helping youth with special needs? An opportunity to do good things while getting paid in locations such as: Lisle, Downers Grove, Woodridge, Darien, Lemont, or Westmont? Look no further than SEASPAR!

We are a special recreation association, which is like a park district just for people with disabilities. We serve twelve communities in eastern DuPage and southern Cook counties, and our home base is in Downers Grove. We offer recreational programming specifically for children and adults with special needs, and we're looking for dependable and energetic individuals from all backgrounds to help our participants learn, grow, and - most importantly - have fun!

We offer flexible hours during days, after school, evenings, and weekends.

Summary: An Inclusion Aide is responsible for supporting and assisting one or more individuals with a disability to be successful in a member entities recreation program. The aide must have a working knowledge of disabilities, the ability to communicate and work effectively with parents and staff, the ability to effectively adapt recreation activities, the ability to promote positive inclusion for individuals with disabilities into the general community and must be able to reinforce the program supervisor's instructions.

Position Qualifications:

• One to two years direct experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred.
• Possess reliable mode of transportation.
• Sixteen years of age or older.
• Availability to commit to assigned work times/placements.
• Ability to work independently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist and include the individual(s) to participate in activities in the program.
• Adapt activities, rules, equipment, and/or supplies as needed to ensure quality participation and the most independent participation possible.
• Act as an advocate for the individual(s) and emphasize the individual's abilities and similarities, while de-emphasizing the differences.
• Be alert and responsive to health and safety needs of the individual(s).
• Involve yourself with other participants and staff as much as possible to contribute to the whole program and avoid being singled out as a "SEASPAR" staff. Strive to blend in with the other staff and bring as little extra attention to the individual with a disability as possible.
• Discuss program activities with program instructors to be prepared. Offer suggestions and adaptations, if applicable.
• Provide behavior management when necessary.
• Feed, diaper/take to the bathroom, lift, and transfer individual, if applicable.
• Communicate all incidents/accidents to the program supervisor and the Inclusion Manager immediately.
• Communicate with parents and Inclusion Manager on a regular basis and complete biweekly summary sheets on the participant's progress.
• Be flexible and adaptable to accommodate for fluctuations in schedule.
• Follow member entities' policies and procedures.
• Read, understand, and abide by all SEASPAR policies and procedures.
• Must be dependable and punctual for all programs.
• Perform other duties asked by supervisor.
• Regular and predictable on-site attendance.

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Assist member entity staff with program or other duties, if necessary.
• Attend all job-related seasonal orientations/in-services as directed by Inclusion Manager or member entity.
• Encourage participation and development of friendships with other participants in the program.
• Arrive at program site 15 minutes prior to the start of the program.
• Assist with loading/unloading of participants if needed.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Worker Traits: Demonstration of enthusiasm, strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with people with disabilities, SEASPAR staff, SEASPAR member entity staff, and parents/guardians.
• Safety and Security: Use good safety awareness and judgment; follow SEASPAR policies at all times; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment following manufacturer safety instructions; and follow agency ergonomic policies and procedures.
• Problem Solving: Identify and appropriately resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully; develop alternative solutions; work well in group problem-solving situations; and use reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focus on solving conflict, not blaming; maintain confidentiality; listen to others without interrupting; keep emotions under control; remain open to others' ideas; and try new things.
• Oral Communication/Language Skills: Speak clearly and effectively in all situations; listen and ask for clarification from supervisor if needed; respond appropriately to questions; and read and interpret all necessary agency documents.
• Written Communication: Write clearly and informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar; be able to interpret written information; and present clear, legible handwriting for all SEASPAR forms and documents.
• Judgment/Reasoning Ability: Exhibit sound and accurate judgment when making all program-related decisions; solve problems involving a few concrete variables; and include appropriate people in the decision-making process.
• Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner; react well under pressure; treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accept responsibility for own actions; and follow through on commitments.
• Adaptability: Adapt activities based on the skill level and needs of each participant to encourage appropriate participation on a regular basis; adapt to changes in the work environment; manage competing demands; change approach or method as necessary; and deal with frequent changes, delays, unexpected events, or program cancellations.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Demonstrate consistent attendance and on-time arrival; ensure responsibilities are covered when absent; and arrive at meetings, in-services, and trainings on time.
• Dependability: Follow instructions and respond to management direction; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; commit to long hours of work when necessary; and complete tasks on time.
• Leadership: Lead participants to have successful recreation experiences; demonstrate positive interactions with other staff members, individuals with disabilities, and parents/guardians; and possess the ability to enlist the support of others to accomplish a common task.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the key responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or transfer up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This is a non-exempt, part-time/seasonal position. Hours vary but will not exceed 25 hours per week or 950 hours per year for part-time or 40 hours per week for seasonal.

SEASPAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer which has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the agency, which bases employment upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of an individual's actual or perceived race (including but not limited to traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, national origin, citizenship status, work authorization status, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, association with a person with a disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, unfavorable discharge from military service or military status, civil union partnership, order of protection status, pregnancy, childbirth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process may contact HR at info@seaspar.org