Seasonal Sensory Suppport Specialist (3290)

Position Overview

The Sensory Support Specialist is a seasonal position employed from late May through August to support summer programming at a designated location. The Sensory Support Specialist is responsible for facilitating access to the sensory room at their assigned location offering youth structured opportunities throughout the day to take breaks and support self-regulation. This position provides general behavior support and collaborates closely with the locations Youth Advocate to identify members who may benefit from additional support or accommodations.

Essential Job Functions

• Create a safe supportive and welcoming sensory room environment that actively engages youth in regulation-focused activities and structured supports.
• Facilitate structured sensory room sessions and breaks that support youth in emotional regulation self-awareness and successful participation in branch programming.
• Conduct emotional check-ins grounding exercises calming strategies and centering activities with youth throughout the day.
• Utilize Club provided tools and strategies to assist youth in understanding and managing emotions and behaviors.
• In partnership with the Youth Advocate support youth in their personalized plans and provide coping strategies to promote success within the program environment.
• Provide general behavior support and de-escalation assistance using trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches.
• Collaborate closely with the assigned Branch Youth Advocate and branch staff to identify and support youth who may benefit from additional accommodations interventions or behavioral supports.
• Maintain consistent communication with branch leadership and support staff regarding member needs concerns and progress while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Monitor sensory room usage activities and member interactions to ensure the safety and well-being of all youth participants.
• Record program participation sensory room utilization and other required documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Provide guidance encouragement and positive role modeling to youth members.
• Abide by Mandated Reporter policies and procedures and report concerns in accordance with organizational expectations.
• Ensure sensory room spaces materials and equipment are maintained in a clean organized and safe manner.
• Collaborate with internal teams and departments to align goals and strategies and to foster a culture of cooperation and teamwork.
• Engage in continuous learning and contribute to the effective implementation of continuous improvement processes.
• Support the ethical use of data to make decisions in a timely and informed manner.
• Represent the organization to the community in a way that enhances the organizations profile builds its reputation supports its strategic priorities and advances its mission.
• Contribute to operational goals and objectives that align with and advance the organizations strategic priorities.
• Strive to meet and surpass the expectations of youth families staff volunteers Board funders and other key stakeholders.
• Focus efforts on promoting equity engaging in trauma-informed and continuous improvement practices and doing what is needed to help the communities the organization serves become great places for all children and youth to grow and thrive.
• Ensure current safety practices meet or exceed organizational requirements.
• Support the implementation of new or amended policies practices and processes that further mitigate and minimize safety risks.
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence aligning your efforts with the organizations values mission strategic priorities and policies.
• Participate in available coaching opportunities regular one-on-one meetings with supervisor performance evaluations and goal setting.
• Demonstrate a commitment to learning and development by following talent development requirements and creating and following a professional development plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

The Seasonal Sensory Support Specialist requires a majority combination of the following:

Education and Experience

• A High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Two years experience directly supporting a summer program in a Boys & Girls Club or similar setting preferred.
• Demonstrated record of youth development knowledge behavior management techniques social emotional learning trauma informed care and ability to inspire and motivate youth.

Skills and Requirements

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey information in a timely open and clear manner.
• Reliable transportation.
• Knowledge of and ability to effectively use computers software and other technology tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Key Characteristics

• Is mission-driven and values-based.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a commitment to lifelong learning.
• Upholds a commitment to equity while striving to be anti-racist and respectful of cultural differences with all stakeholders.
• Contributes to a purpose-driven culture characterized by trust inclusion belonging autonomy and learning.
• Operates with excellence in mind in all matters.

Working Conditions

Work will occur both in a climate-controlled environment and outdoors with minimal potential for safety or health hazards. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers phones photocopiers and filing cabinets as well as non-hazardous program supplies and equipment such as basketballs paint markers billiard balls musical instruments etc.

Physical Demands include:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to move independently indoors and outdoors.
• Must be able to operate a computer and other office productivity equipment such as a phone and photocopier.
• Must be able to communicate efficiently and effectively.
• Must be able to quickly detect safety concerns.
• Must be able to move equipment and supplies required to perform the positions responsibilities.
• Must be able to work effectively in an environment where the noise level may be loud at times.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with documented disabilities to perform essential functions.

Disclaimer

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age race religion color marital status sex national origin ancestry veterans status sexual orientation disability gender identity or expression or any other legally protected status.