Inclusion Specialist

Congregation Beth El • Berkeley, CA

August 2026 – May 2027  |  Part-Time, ~7.5 hours/week

About the Role

Congregation Beth El, Berkeley’s progressive Reform Congregation, is seeking an Inclusion Specialist for our K–12th grade supplementary program. This person will be taking over and enhancing a program that has been in place for three years.

The Inclusion Specialist will work with students, teachers, Madrichim (teen assistants), the Directors of Learning and Engagement, and parents/caregivers and others as needed to support the access needs of students with disabilities across three programs:

• Kadima — K–5th grade
• Makom — 6th–8th grade
• YALA — 9th–12th grade

This position reports to the Directors of Learning and Engagement (K–5th and 6th–12th grades).

Responsibilities

August / September

• Schedule introductory meetings (Zoom or in-person) with parents/guardians of students with identified accessibility challenges to discuss goals, plans, and support for the year
• Compile “Access Plans” — documents identifying strategies for including students, shared with teachers
• Develop year-long goals; identify potential access barriers; compile parent- and Beth El-suggested interventions
• Develop and implement staff training workshops for August teacher in-service, in concert with Directors

Throughout the Year

• Develop and facilitate training sessions for Madrichim (teen assistants) in collaboration with Directors and in response to observed student needs
• Provide staff training programs to address needs as they arise in the classroom
• Oversee and develop the Madrichim Shadow Program (supporting teens working one-on-one with a student):

• Provide informal weekly coaching, observations, 1:1 check-ins, cohort trainings
• Model effective support strategies

• Communicate regularly with families and teachers around challenges and successes for students with access needs
• Coordinate with B’nei Mitzvah tutors and clergy as disabled students enter the tutoring process, sharing access plans and support suggestions
• Observe and support students with disabilities in class; provide feedback and documentation for teachers and Madrichim; update access plans after observations
• Meet regularly with Directors to discuss observations, challenges, and successes
• Meet regularly with Teachers to implement access plans and provide in-classroom support strategies
• Consult on special school events and points of access as needed
• Consult with Directors on access support purchases
• Maintain formal records: weekly hour tracking, observation notes, teacher/family conversations

November / December

• Schedule mid-year meetings with parents/guardians to revisit and update goals, plans, and support
• Revise access plans; update teachers and Directors with verbal check-ins as needed

April / May

• Schedule end-of-year meetings with parents/guardians to review the year and plan for the next academic year
• Revise access plans; update Directors on year wrap-up and goals for each student going forward

Confidentiality of all student, family, and teacher information is required throughout the role.

Availability & Schedule

• Thursdays, 4:00–6:00 PM, August–May
• Alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:00–6:00 PM, August–May
• Monthly staff meetings: Wednesday nights, 6:00–7:00 PM and Thursday nights, 6:15–7:15 PM
• Teacher in-service: August 25, 27 and September 1, 2
• Occasional Madrichim training sessions, including 1–2 inclusion-focused sessions/year on Thursday evenings, 6:00–8:00 PM
• Approximately 3 scheduled meetings/trainings per year with Shadow Program participants
• Biweekly Zoom check-ins with each Director outside of Kadima/Makom hours

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have:

• Educational background in special education or disability studies
• 1+ year of experience working with disabled youth in a dedicated role
• Deep care for disabled students, their families, and teachers
• Experience facilitating professional development or equivalent
• Thoughtful and empathetic communication skills for discussing sensitive subjects with families and teachers
• Interest in and care for teaching racially, gender-diverse, and neurodivergent students
• Knowledge of second language acquisition for disabled students (preferred)
• Knowledge of supplementary Jewish education and Judaism (helpful but not required)

Compensation

• $12,000–$15,000 annually, distributed over 10 months 

How to Apply

Please send a resume, cover letter, and three references to:

Juliet Gardner, Director of Learning and Engagement, K–5th Grades

[email protected]