Inclusion Specialist

Commitment to Accessibility & Diversity
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ community, veterans and active-duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.  
  
We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for any role. If most of this job description describes you, then please apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know at jobs@sheddaquarium.org. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs). 

Summary:
The Inclusion Specialist will work with camp staff over nine weeks of summer camp for elementary and middle school campers at Shedd Aquarium. This person will provide expertise on evidence-based techniques to accommodate diverse learners, both in the planning and facilitation of camp. They utilize behavior management and conflict resolution strategies to promote a safe and positive experience for all campers at Shedd. This person will provide one-on-one support and oversight of campers as needed. This position is primarily responsible for providing supports to learners with differing abilities and engaging youth from all areas of the Chicago region, using evidence-based strategies to facilitate inclusive participation in classroom and outdoor learning experiences. In addition, this person will collaborate with the other Inclusion Specialists to create a toolkit of resources and/or training based on their expertise and experience in working with diverse youth and their needs.  
 
Compensation:
$20.00 / hour 
 
Time Commitment:
Overarching time commitment: June 5 – August 12, 2023  
Participate in camp training if available.  

Required: 

• Training sessions & Camp Prep 
• June 12-16; June 26 July 7 
• Camp breakdown and reflection 
• August 14-18 

Camp Sessions  

• Elementary Camp:  
  • July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4  
  • Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm 
• Middle School Camp:  
  • June 19-24, August 7-12 
  • Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm 
  • Friday 8am-Saturday 10am 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values. 
• Work with program facilitators to adapt programs to meet the needs of diverse learners. 
• Apply a working knowledge of evidence-based techniques for youth with differing abilities to promote successful inclusion daily. 
• Adhere to and enforce COVID-19 safety precautions. 
• Communicate with camp families about individual camper needs.  
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability when responding to situations. 
• Assist camp staff and program participants with implementing evidence-based learning and behavior supports. 
• Maintain resources, materials, and programming spaces. 
• Collect evaluation data as required with the assistance of camp staff and manager. 
• Create resources and/or training around techniques and strategies to engage diverse learners  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, with a preference for Special Education focus 
                                                                       
Experience:  

• 1 year teaching experience in either a formal or informal setting  
• Experience providing evidence-based learning and behavior supports for learners with diverse needs 
• Experience working with youth from all areas of Chicago, including traditionally underserved and resourced locations 
• Experience working in team-based environments 
• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• Must be able to work irregular hours including overnights 
• Must be able to facilitate program activities such as canoeing, hiking, etc. 

Skills:  

• Read, write, speak and comprehend English fluently  
• Read and comprehend complex instructions given from written and oral sources  
• Effectively present information to learners and Shedd staff  
• Understand basic mathematical relationships and formulas  
• Work with little or no supervision  
• Use common sense techniques and available resources in problem solving  
• Use diplomacy and tact when dealing with problems  
• Experience and comfort using a computer and basic writing, presentation and spreadsheet applications  
• Learn new technology and computer applications  

Preferred: 

• 1-2 years prior informal outdoor/science education teaching experience working with diverse audiences in urban and natural settings 
• CPR and first aid certification  

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).

Salary : $20 - $0