POSITION SUMMARY
Harmonium is currently hiring inclusion aides to work in schools throughout San Diego County. Positions are available in Mira Mesa, Clairemont Mesa, Tierrasanta, Serra Mesa, the College Area, Pacific Beach, Mission Valley, North Park and National City. If you are hired, you will be matched with a school near your location that has an opening for an inclusion aide.
The Inclusion Aide – ASES supports individual students or small groups of students to enhance learning, promote inclusion, and ensure safety and well-being in both classroom and after-school settings. This position provides academic, behavioral, and medical support; assists program staff in maintaining a productive program environment; and fosters student independence and positive social interactions in the ASES program settings.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Instructional & Academic Support
- Assist individuals or small groups of students with academic work, instructional exercises, classroom projects, and special assignments.
- Reinforce program lessons and instructions under the direction of the Youth Leader or Site Director.
- Support students with understanding and completing learning materials to promote independence and success.
- Prepare, adapt, and organize instructional materials and supplies to enhance student learning.
- Provide academic homework assistance during the ASES program and contribute ideas for inclusive enrichment activities and clubs.
Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support
- Develop, implement, and model behavior support and intervention plans using positive behavior strategies.
- Provide emotional support, encouragement, and role modeling to promote appropriate behavior and social skills.
- Develop and implement social skill development techniques (e.g., social stories, peer facilitation, peer training).
- Assist in developing and implementing de-escalation strategies to support student regulation and engagement.
- Redirect inappropriate behavior and notify Site Director – ASES as necessary.
Inclusion & Student Supervision
- Ensure safety, security, and well-being of assigned child(ren) at all times in classrooms, lunchrooms, outdoors, and field trips.
- Maintain visual supervision in all areas, including classrooms, auditoriums, outdoors, and other designated spaces.
- Support inclusion of assigned child(ren) within the ASES program and general education environments.
- Work in the capacity of a Youth Leader when specific children are not assigned.
- Supervise day-to-day program activities and maintain appropriate staff-to-student ratios.
Collaboration & Communication
- Collaborate with teachers, Site Directors, and Special Education staff to support students’ educational and behavioral goals.
- Communicate regularly with guardians, Site Director – ASES, and school personnel to ensure coordinated support.
- Provide data and observations to teachers and specialists as assigned.
- Collaborate with Behavioral Services Program Manager
Health, Safety & Personal Care
- May need to provide assistance to students with their personal care needs, including toileting, hygiene, and mobility support as needed.
- Perform specialized health care procedures under the direction of a PrimeTime nurse.
- Lift and move students safely using appropriate supports and techniques.
- May assist with serving/feeding of lunches/snacks, and maintaining safe environments.
- May be designated to administer medications according to program policies and procedures.
Program & Administrative Support
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe classroom or program space.
- Operate computers, educational software, and office equipment as assigned.
- Assist with developing curriculum, activities, and enrichment opportunities for ASES programming.
- Support agency-wide communication and effective operations across all program areas.
- Perform related duties as assigned by Site Director or designee.
Job Complexity
- This position requires the ability to provide consistent and individualized support across multiple settings, adapt to varied student needs, and model positive inclusion strategies. The Inclusion Aide – ASES must exercise patience, judgment, and professionalism while maintaining strong collaboration with educational and program staff.
- Supplemental Assignment – Personal Care/Toileting Support
Certain positions within this classification may be assigned responsibilities that include assisting participants with toileting, hygiene, and other personal-care activities of daily living. These duties require additional training, physical demands, and heightened safety and privacy considerations.
Employees who are formally assigned personal-care/toileting responsibilities will receive a Stipend in addition to their regular rate of pay. This stipend is provided solely for the performance of these supplemental duties and is not paid to employees who are not assigned these responsibilities.
Employees performing these duties are expected to follow all Agency policies regarding safety, dignity, confidentiality, and infection-control procedures.
Staff Supervision
- Ordinarily, no supervisory responsibility
Communication
- Provide regular communication to the Site Director - ASES regarding physical/emotional needs of the assigned child(ren)
- Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with school site, parents, children, and Harmonium staff
- Communicate with parents regarding their child(ren) on a daily basis
- Maintain regular communication with established school personnel
Agency Leadership
- Follow policies in own role which are determined by others; no responsibility and leadership required for service development, but may be required to comment on policies, procedures, or possible developments
Decision Making
- Judgments and decisions are guided by Harmonium and program policies, contracts, and guidelines
MINIMUM COMPETENCIES
Education and Experience
- Must be 18 years of age
- Must have 48 completed college units OR pass the District’s Classroom Assistant Proficiency Exam (a basic math and literacy exam)
- Must have a minimum of 6 months experience with children with special needs and elementary/middle school students (paid or unpaid) in any of the following settings: working, volunteering, or babysitting
Knowledge, Skills & Ability
- Ability to relate well to children and adults
- Expressed commitment to the program and its philosophies during the term of your employment
Additional Requirements Upon Hire
- Valid CPR and First Aid Certification
- Valid TB results (required every 4 years)
- Must receive Fingerprint Clearance (paid by Harmonium)
Physical Requirements
- Ability to actively supervise and roam designated areas at all times to ensure a direct line of sight of all students including but not limited to:
- Standing, walking, and moving for extended periods of time throughout the shift
- In the case of elopement, or a student leaving their designated area, the ability to promptly follow and safely return the student to their designated area
- Ability to operate a vehicle
- High energy needed with the ability to balance multiple high-stress tasks
- Ability to work in noisy and outdoor environments
- Ability to travel throughout the county with the flexibility required to meet job duties
- Frequent repetitive hand use and simple grasping, i.e., desk and computer functions
- Ability to sit for prolonged period
- Ability to lift and carry up to twenty pounds
- Ability to operate a computer
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
COMPENSATION.
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Starting Rate: $22.50 per hour (all new hires begin at starting salary regardless of experience)
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Part Time benefits include voluntary benefits, a 403b retirement plan plus match, and CA Paid Sick Leave in addition to hands-on training, virtual courses, and live presentations.
Harmonium is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We seek to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees/interns. We are committed to maintaining an atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.
Schedule:
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Afternoon shift
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Hours vary by student
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Monday to Friday
