Inclusion Support Specialist

Empowering Pathways 365; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Empowering Pathways 365 is seeking an Inclusion Support Specialist to work directly with participants in sports and fitness programs. You will provide individualized support to help each person participate, stay engaged, and succeed in a dynamic, inclusive setting.

The role emphasizes hands-on guidance, safety, and documentation, with training provided for CPR, First Aid, and behavioral support. Part-time and full-time opportunities may vary by location.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Background clearances (DOJ Live Scan; CACI) are required for staff working with minors.
• CPR and First Aid training will be provided and must be completed.

Responsibilities

• Support participants 1:1 or in small groups during sports and fitness sessions.
• Model activities and encourage participants as they try new skills.
• Help participants understand instructions and move between activities smoothly.
• Provide calm, patient support when a participant feels overwhelmed or frustrated.
• Encourage independence, social connection, and positive participation.
• Follow each participant's support plan and EP365-approved strategies.
• Keep participants safe and document session details.

Skills

Patience

Dependability

Empathy

Communication

Coachable

Professionalism

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

EMPOWERING PATHWAYS 365

Now Hiring: Inclusion Support Specialist

Help individuals of all abilities play, grow, and thrive through sports and fitness

Empowering Every Ability, Paving the Pathway to Every Goal

Who We Are

Empowering Pathways 365 (EP365) is a nonprofit dedicated to making sports, fitness, recreation, and healthy lifestyles accessible to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and varying support needs. Through inclusive programs like soccer, basketball, boxing, dance, and fitness, we help participants build skills, confidence, friendships, and independence.

We believe sports and fitness should be a lifelong opportunity, not a one-time event. Our team removes barriers so every participant can take part fully, safely, and joyfully.

The Role

As an Inclusion Support Specialist (ISS), you work directly with participants during our sports and fitness programs, providing the individualized support each person needs to take part and succeed. You are the encouraging presence beside them, helping them understand activities, stay engaged, navigate challenges, and celebrate wins. This is hands-on, active, meaningful work where you see your impact every single session.

What You'll Do

• Support participants 1:1 or in small groups during fun, active sports and fitness sessions.
• Model activities and cheer participants on as they try new skills.
• Help participants understand instructions and move smoothly between activities.
• Offer calm, patient support when a participant feels overwhelmed or frustrated.
• Encourage independence, social connection, and positive participation.
• Follow each participant's support plan and use EP365-approved strategies.
• Keep participants safe and complete simple documentation about how sessions go.

Who We're Looking For

You would be a great fit if you are patient, dependable, energetic, compassionate, coachable, and professional, and you genuinely enjoy helping people succeed. You show up ready, you stay calm under pressure, and you treat every participant with dignity and respect.

Helpful backgrounds include behavior support, ABA, direct support, special education, recreation, coaching, kinesiology, psychology, child development, social services, or caregiving. But this list is not a fence. If you have strong transferable experience and the right heart for this work, we provide training and would love to hear from you.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Over 18 years old.
• At least one year of experience supporting individuals with developmental, intellectual, or behavioral needs, OR equivalent transferable experience with a willingness to be trained.
• Ability to pass required background clearances (DOJ Live Scan; CACI for staff working with minors).
• Ability to complete EP365 training, including CPR and First Aid.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in adaptive or inclusive sports, fitness, or recreation.
• Coursework or training in ABA or behavioral support.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Schedule and Availability

EP365 programs generally run after school on weekdays and during the day on weekends, with some seasonal variation. Reliable attendance and punctuality matter to us and to our participants.

2 days of week day availability Monday & Wednesday 3PM - 8PM, optional Weekend availability. This role offers a minimum of 5 hours per week in Riverside, plus opportunities to pick up additional hours at other locations (San Bernardino & Upland).

Physical Requirements

This is an active role. You will move alongside participants during sports and fitness activities, standing, walking, and staying engaged for the length of a session, indoors and outdoors. EP365 provides reasonable accommodations in line with the ADA, and we encourage anyone who can perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodation to apply.

Training We Provide

You do not need to know everything on day one. New team members receive EP365 training, including orientation, participant rights and confidentiality, mandated reporting, incident reporting, positive behavior support and de-escalation, and CPR/First Aid.

Why Join EP365

• Real impact. Do work that matters and see the difference you make every session.
• Great team. Be part of a supportive, mission-driven team that has your back.
• Growth. We train you and help you build skills for a career in this field.
• Never boring. Active, hands-on days built around sports, movement, and fun.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Empowering Pathways 365 is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment.