Inclusion & Complex Needs Specialist

Location: Bellevue, WA

On-Site Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Compensation: $90,000-$105,000 annually

BGCB is launching a new initiative to expand access and support for children with developmental, behavioral, sensory, social-emotional, and other specialized needs across our after-school and preschool programs. This role is central to building a more inclusive future for Bellevue's children.

Position Overview

The Inclusion & Complex Needs Specialist provides organizational leadership in inclusion, behavioral support, disability accommodations, and staff development. This role assesses participant needs, develops program support plans, coaches staff, partners with families, collaborates with schools and service providers, and builds systems that promote safe and successful inclusion across multiple Club sites.

Support plans developed by this role are non-clinical and focus on reasonable accommodations within a group childcare setting. BGCB does not provide therapeutic, clinical, or specialized behavioral services. Enrollment decisions are based on safety, feasibility, and the ability to support a child's needs within BGCB's staffing model.

This role works directly in program environments, providing hands-on support to children with complex needs, on-site coaching and training for staff who work with high-needs participants, and support for other program needs.

The Specialist also recruits, trains, and mentors a cohort of Inclusion Support Staff who work directly with children requiring higher levels of developmental, behavioral, emotional, sensory, or medical support.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience supporting children with disabilities and behavioral challenges, along with proven leadership skills in coaching and developing staff.

Key Responsibilities

Inclusion Program Leadership

• Lead the development of BGCB's inclusion and behavioral support program.
• Create systems, procedures, and best practices for inclusion across multiple sites.
• Develop Program Support Plans for children requiring accommodations.
• Assist in determining appropriate participant placement and support strategies.
• Monitor participant progress and identify adjustments needed for success.
• Track outcomes, capacity, and program effectiveness.
• Ensure all supports align with BGCB's group-care model and do not constitute clinical or therapeutic services.

Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Recruit, coach, supervise, and mentor Inclusion Support Staff.
• Provide ongoing professional development and performance coaching.
• Build a specialized team of staff interested in serving children with disabilities and behavioral support needs.
• Create and deliver inclusion-focused training curriculum for staff.
• Support Site Directors and Program Directors with challenging situations.
• Foster a culture of compassion, accountability, inclusion, and professional growth.

Family Partnership

• Conduct intake and consultation meetings with families.
• Collaborate with caregivers to identify strengths, needs, and support strategies.
• Provide ongoing communication regarding participant progress and support plans.
• Serve as a trusted resource for families navigating developmental and behavioral supports.

School & Community Collaboration

• Partner with school district personnel, special education teams, therapists, and service providers.
• Participate in multidisciplinary planning discussions when appropriate.
• Develop community partnerships that strengthen services and resources available to families.

Behavioral Support & Crisis Response

• Coach staff on positive behavior support practices.
• Train teams on de-escalation and prevention strategies.
• Support staff in responding to challenging behaviors.
• Assist with risk assessment and safety planning.
• Recommend accommodations, environmental modifications, and support strategies.
• Safety planning is programmatic and does not replace clinical or medical intervention. BGCB may determine that a child's needs exceed what can be safely accommodated in a group environment.

Training & Capacity Building

Develop and deliver training in:

• Disability awareness and inclusion
• Trauma-informed care
• Positive behavior interventions
• Autism support strategies
• Sensory regulation techniques
• Communication supports
• Family engagement practices
• ADA accommodations and accessibility
• Crisis prevention and de-escalation

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Child Development, Human Services, Education, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience working directly with children with disabilities, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, behavioral health needs, or complex support needs.
• Minimum of two years of leadership, supervisory, or staff management experience.
• Experience coaching, training, and developing employees.
• Experience creating behavior support plans or individualized support plans.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with families, schools, and community partners.

Preferred

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience as a Special Education Teacher, Program Manager, Behavior Specialist, BCBA, Social Worker, School Psychologist, Inclusion Coordinator, or related role.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training or similar de-escalation certification.
• Experience supervising paraeducators, instructional assistants, behavior technicians, or support staff.
• Knowledge of ADA requirements and disability accommodation practices.
• Experience in youth development, childcare, recreation, or nonprofit settings.

Ideal Candidate Background

We are particularly interested in candidates who have previously worked as:

• Special Education Teacher
• Inclusion Coordinator
• Behavior Specialist
• BCBA or ABA Program Supervisor
• School-Based Program Manager
• Child & Family Therapist
• Youth Program Inclusion Manager
• Developmental Disabilities Program Coordinator
• Early Childhood Special Education Professional
• Community-Based Inclusion Specialist

What Success Looks Like in Year One

• Launch BGCB's high-needs participant pilot program.
• Develop support plans for children served through the program.
• Recruit and train an initial cohort of Inclusion Support Staff.
• Build organization-wide training systems and resources.
• Establish strong partnerships with families and community providers.
• Increase staff confidence and capability in supporting children with diverse needs.
• Help create a scalable model for future program expansion.
• The pilot will serve a limited number of children whose needs can be safely and reasonably accommodated within BGCB's staffing model and group-care environment.

Benefits

BGCB is proud to support our staff with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

Work Environment

This position is an on-site role supporting multiple Club locations. The Specialist's work includes a blend of administrative responsibilities, staff coaching, participant observation, family meetings, and collaboration with schools and service providers. Regular travel between Clubhouses, preschool sites, and community partner locations is required. Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary to support urgent behavioral needs, family consultations, or staff training.

Disclaimer

This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the organization and the requirements of the job evolve.