Manager of Inclusion Services, Cambridge, Massachusetts

ABOUT THE CITY:

The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that people of different ethnic, racial, religious, national, and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our city’s diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve. The city is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. We seek to hire, develop, and advance individuals who value antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and are committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) serves children of all abilities in Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. The Manager of Inclusion Services will support staff in adapting and modifying programs to accommodate individual needs and will provide modeling and coaching of inclusionary practices in OST settings. The Manager of Inclusion Services will supervise two Inclusion Specialists and will report to the Department’s Assistant Director for Children, Youth and Families.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct observations of children identified as, or considered to have a disability in response to a request for enrollment
• Assist Inclusion Advisory Team members in determining the proper program placement of individual children and the necessary supports for success, if any
• Participate as a member of the Inclusion Advisory Team to review all requests for additional supports from staff and programs.
• Recommend the allocation of both internal and external resources to provide additional supports to programs as needed.
• Coach and model for program staff in applying inclusion techniques and providing periodic follow-up meetings and observations to monitor the participation of individual children with disabilities year round.
• In conjunction with the Leadership Team, establish an on-going staff training series, in inclusion-building techniques, identify and coordinate the use of outside consultants as needed to implement trainings.
• Make recommendations regarding individualized training/skill development for specific staff as needed and/or programmatic changes, including behavior modifications and technical support, the environment and activities.
• In conjunction with program staff meet with parents/guardians, to develop individualized inclusion strategies based on needs of program applicants and participants with disabilities.
• Act as a liaison to the Cambridge Public School staff and DHSP programs to integrate children with disabilities into all child serving DHSP programs and ensure a smooth transition between school and out-of-school programs.
• Serve as the primary contact for program staff to receive copies of a child’s IEP from the Office of Special Education. Review individual IEPs with staff and assist them to make recommended modifications.
• Assist DHSP in developing or identifying an inventory of adaptive equipment, in liaison with Cambridge Public Schools and other resources to respond to children’s needs.
• Conduct basic, introductory training for all new staff; serve on the training subcommittee to assist in determining additional training needs and resources.
• Actively engaging in and supporting the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Three years’ experience working in out-of-school time programs and/or in an educational setting.
• Experience working with children with disabilities and their families.
• Supervisory experience necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal disability laws and regulations.
• Practical experience integrating children with disabilities into mainstream programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong individual and group assessment skills.
• Ability to apply inclusion techniques in a group environment.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Preferred QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA in related field strongly preferred
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Some offices may be carpeted. Moderate noise level.
• Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer.
• Ability to answer phones and maintain multiple files and ability to lift a minimum of at least 10 pounds.
• Ability to travel throughout the City of Cambridge to various meetings, etc.
• This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick Leave Eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter