The Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department provides inclusion services to people with disability- related needs who are participating in recreation programs offered by our department. Inclusion Specialists are responsible for providing the support required to meet each participant's individual needs. Inclusion Specialists report to the Adaptive Recreation Specialist in charge of adaptive recreation and inclusion services.The city is hiring 2 seasonal non-benefitted Inclusion Specialists to work with K-5 youth. Starting early January 2026 at our newly renovated Zanewood Recreation Center!- Morning Mix by Fusion is Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (begins January 12th through June 5th)
- Fusion is Monday-Friday, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (begins January 5th through June 5th)
IMPORTANT NOTES:- Application Deadline:This job posting will be open until filled. If you have interest in this position, it is highly recommended that you apply as soon as possible upon seeing the announcement as the vacancy may close without notice.
- There will be a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to the minimum and the maximum pay rate in January 2026.
- Provide inclusion support for youth with disability- related needs, including support with social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs when necessary.
- Provide activity adaptations and medical, emotional, and behavioral support when necessary.
- Communicate progress with participant families/guardians/caregivers on a regular basis.
- Communicate with program staff and Adaptive Recreation Specialist about participant progress and necessary accommodations.
- Maintain documentation related to participant progress in each program.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
EducationNo education requirement
Experience- 16 years of age or older
- One (1) to three (3) years of experience working with people with disabilities, especially youth and teens, as a staff or volunteer
EquivalencyAn equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Ability to work with multiple participants with disability- related needs during program time.
- Must possess a genuine interest in the needs of all participants and be able to work in a team atmosphere.
- Must possess the ability to assess participant progress and make decisions about accommodations during program time.
- Must possess the ability to interact with participants and parents/guardians/caregivers in a responsible and professional manner and respond to concerns with tact and courtesy.
- Ability to respond maturely to any emergency or incident that may arise.
- Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision during program time.
- Must possess basic problem-solving skills.
- Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets/exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
- Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
Desired Qualifications
- Three (3)+ years of experience working with people with disability-related needs, especially youth, as a staff or volunteer.
- Be able to provide inclusion services within a variety of recreation programs.
- Current certification in CPR and First Aid.
- Current certification related to program leadership within related field.
- Current with Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential.
- Completion of additional training in Autism, social/emotional support, therapeutic recreation, special education, or related field.
- Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic background.
- Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao or Vietnamese.
Work Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully and safely perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to fully and safely perform the essential duties.
- Seasonal, non-benefitted work up to 39.99 hours on average per week from January through June 2026.
- Work is performed in several types of environments that may involve extended periods of standing, and moving about, facilitating a variety of recreational activities during the day, evenings, or weekends in both indoor and outdoor facilities, and traveling to various locations in the Brooklyn Park area. Inclusion Specialists may need to be able to lift objects weighing up to 30lbs.
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Fifty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
Our Vision, Values, GoalsDepartment/Division: Recreation and Parks Department
Anticipated Hiring Wage: $14.33 - $26.00, depending on qualifications
Tentative Hiring Schedule- Application Review - December 29, 2025
- Virtual or in-person interviews - end of December and early January
- Backgrounds and references - early January
- Job offers and start date - early January
We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ+ and women. If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability related need and need assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at Human.Resources@brooklynpark.org.
