Job Description

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. Learn about the energetic, creative people working to ensure every kid has the chance to play—every day.

ABOUT THE POSITION: As a Site Specialist, you will bring healthy play and physical activity to two elementary schools to create a positive environment for learning and teaching. In this position, you receive two weeks of training before the school year starts. You will partner with two schools to run Playworks' physical activity programs focused on teaching and organizing safe games during the school day. You teach conflict resolution strategies, inspire all children to get off the sidelines and into the game, and work to generate more community and family involvement.

ABOUT PLAYWORKS: At Playworks, we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We create a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships. 

Here’s where you come in:

Specifically, you will have Program, Administrative, and School Partnership Duties as follows-

Program Duties:

• Plan and implement sports and play-based programming during recess, in school, and after school hours at an elementary school:
• Recess - Create a safe, fun playground by developing and modeling standard agreements for behavior and conflict-resolution skills, teaching kids and recess support staff the rules and strategies of the games, and recruiting disengaged students to participate.
• Junior Coach Leadership Program - Implement a youth leadership program by facilitating student trainings and providing student leadership opportunities at recess. Junior Coaches are a mix of 4th through 6th grade students who participate in regular trainings focused on teaching valuable skills like leadership, conflict resolution, and community action, improving their self-esteem, self-advocacy, leadership ability, and desire to improve academically.
• Class Game Time - Lead instructional time with individual classes throughout the year. During this time, the coach teaches foundational skills and activities to prepare students to confidently engage in and enjoy recess.

Administrative Duties:

• Maintain communication between Playworks staff, school staff, teachers, families, and volunteers.
• Collect and maintain paperwork, including organizing daily, weekly, and monthly schedules and timesheets.
• Support the collection of evaluations administered by Playworks.

School Partnership Duties:

• Consistently represent Playworks’ brand in a positive manner.
• Design program schedule with input and support from school administration.
• Communicate with school administration regarding program implementation logistics and support needs.
• Facilitate school’s transition to other Playworks trainings, programs, and products in preparation for future school years.

Regional Support Duties:  

• Support the delivery of corporate engagements to adults, such as School Beautifications, Play Days, and Corporate Recesses, in person or virtually.
• Support the regional team and national program department with the delivery of programmatic learning, pre-service training, and management resources, and contribute to the development and continued quality improvement of Playworks curriculum.
• Participate in fundraising projects and events, e.g., End of the Year Appeal and annual events.

If you're a good fit for this position, you already know most of what this job entails. However, to be sure we're providing a complete picture, here are some details:

• Success in this position will require you to be highly organized and energetic, great at multitasking, with strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage time and multiple priorities
• The strongest candidate will have proven experience and success in managing dynamic programming, staying up to date on administrative responsibilities, and being a motivated self-starter with the ability to set clear goals and follow through with flexible and creative problem-solving.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Proven organizational skills in meeting or exceeding expectations in the production of timely planning and deliverables such as program plans, reports, and observational notes. 
• Knowledge of youth development principles and practices.
• At least 2 years of experience working directly with small and large groups of children.
• Experience working collaboratively with adults and facilitating trainings for adults.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills with the ability to facilitate small and large group presentations.
• Experience establishing and maintaining professional relationships with internal leadership and teams and external clients through excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism.
• Experience interacting with diverse communities and ability to integrate into school communities.
• Knowledge of computer and internet-based programs, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Google Drive, and virtual meeting platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom.
• Flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.
• Ability to work from home if needed.  

Compensation & Benefits:

Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work, and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:

• This is a seasonal, full-time, non-exempt position with the expectation that you will work through the school year, typically ending late May or early to mid-June.
• Competitive hourly wage: $23.13/ hr. 
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee-funded pre-tax health, and child care spending accounts.
• Paid time off for school breaks and paid sick leave
• Opportunities for professional development

This is a hands-on, creative, playful, and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation’s youth. So if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges, and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!

• Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted on a rolling basis

Other things you need to know:

• This position may require travel to various locations.
• If a Playworks employee is required to drive a vehicle for work-related purposes (not commuting purposes), the employee must complete an authorization form and provide us with evidence of a valid, current driver's license and proof of liability/collision/property damage insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000 each accident/ $100,000 each occurrence

Typical physical and mental demands:

Playworks Site Specialists are required to frequently balance, bend, climb, grasp, kneel, reach, sit, squat, stand, stoop, twist, walk, and write on a daily basis. Site Specialists must also be able to occasionally lift and carry light to medium loads of 10 – 50 pounds, and be able to occasionally pull and push loads of 10 – 50 pounds. Requires a normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with children and adults. Also requires flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment, including outside in multiple conditions.

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities, or board service on a merit basis.

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