Position Summary: IKAR - a dynamic, progressive, egalitarian, Jewish spiritual community in Los Angeles, seeks to hire a part-time Inclusion Specialist to support our Early childhood Center and Limudim, our 220 student, Shabbat and Tuesday supplementary educational program. The Inclusion Specialist will work with students, parents, teachers and the Education Team to provide guidance, support and resources in order to meaningfully include students with a variety of learning/behavioral challenges or disabilities at the ECC and Limudim. The Inclusion Specialist will work on site at Limudim on Saturdays from 9:00-12:15 and on Tuesdays from 3:45-6:30. The Inclusion Specialist will consult with the ECC 1-2 hours/week. This position also is required to support on the Jewish High Holy days. The position will be hired for up to 10 hours per week (depending on experience and availability).
Parent/Caregiver Support
- Manage the intake process for children identified as having special needs, including communicating with caregivers, teachers, therapists etc.
- Communicate consistently with parents/caregivers of children with special needs at Limudim and ECC, checking in at least 1x/month and as needed.
Student Support
- Observe focus students as identified by parents/Education Team at Limudim and ECC
- Create educational support plans for focus students at Limudim and ECC
- Work with students and teachers on implementing modifications and accommodations as outlined in the student support plan.
Faculty Support and Education
- Meet with our Shutaf Inclusion coach bi-weekly to collaborate on supporting children and teachers at Limudim and ECC
- Attend weekly inclusion meeting with Education Team
- Coach Education Team and teachers, providing both tangible support and positive encouragement
- In consultation with Shutaf Inclusion Coach, lead professional development sessions for teachers and teen madrikhim (teacher assistants) in how to support kids with special needs in the general education classroom.
- Work with teachers and 1:1 teens and support specialists to implement learning/behavior plans.
- Facilitate bi-weekly meetings with professional 1:1 aides to collaboratively brainstorm and problem solve
Community Education
- In collaboration with Shutaf Inclusion Coach, provide support for parents with kids with special needs
- Collaborate with Senior Director of Education and ECC Director to create learning opportunities for all parents and children to reflect on what it means to be an inclusive community
Qualifications:
- Degree in special education
- Experience working with neurodiverse students
- Experience modifying and creating lesson plans for children with diverse needs and creating and implementing educational support plans
- Ability to read, interpret and implement IEPs, 504 plans and school medical plans
- Experience working in both early childhood and elementary education preferred
Competencies:
- Supports teens, teachers and fellow staff with patience and skill
- Takes initiative to work both independently and collaboratively
- Approaches challenges and projects flexibly, adaptively, and creatively
- Exemplifies the values of IKAR in both personal and professional life
- Interacts in an open, positive and compassionate way with a wide variety of people
- Values and thrives on collaboration
- Possesses a good sense of humor and pleasant countenance
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the described duties satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Physical Requirements:
This job requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds
Equal Opportunity & Diversity: IKAR prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.
How to Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
In your cover letter, please:
- Tell us your story
- Describe the skills and experience you would bring to this position
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Systemic inequities in hiring have caused women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ folks, and others to apply to jobs only if they meet every requirement. We encourage you to break that statistic and apply, as no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.
About IKAR: IKAR, an innovative model for Jewish engagement, launched in 2004 in an effort to reclaim the vitality and relevance of Jewish religious practice and reimagine the contours of Jewish community. Recognized nationally for its success in engaging young and disaffected Jews, IKAR is a positive and proactive response to the declining trend in affiliation in the Jewish community. IKAR is dedicated to reanimating Jewish life through imaginative engagement with ritual and spiritual practice and a deep commitment to social justice. Fusing piety and hutzpah, obligation and inspiration, we are harnessing an untapped energy in the Jewish community –attracting and mobilizing Jews who to contribute their vast intellectual and creative resources to address real world concerns effectively and unapologetically. Since its founding, we have witnessed exponential growth from a handful of people to a community of 1,000+ member households – making it one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in the country. Hundreds of others – both in Los Angeles and nationally – participate in a wide diversity of IKAR programs and services. In addition to establishing a vital presence in Los Angeles, we have also become a leading model of engaging, authentic, resonant Jewish life that is inspiring change in synagogues and communities around the country.