New England Site Specialist

About the role

Are you passionate about working with youth in play-based environments? Do you want to make a meaningful impact on school culture, student belonging, and youth development? If yes, Playworks has an exciting opportunity for you. We are actively seeking highly organized, relationship-driven, and dynamic Site Specialists (also known as Playworks Coaches) to support local school communities.

About Playworks

We believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing the school climate by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play every day at school. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel engaged, be active, and build valuable skills by partnering with schools, districts, and after-school programs through services including digital engagement, on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support play, and consultative partnerships.

Specific Duties

• Program Duties:
  • Plan and implement sports and play-based programming during recess, in school, and after school hours at two public elementary schools.
  • Recess: Create a fun and safe recess environment for all students by organizing and leading a variety of games and activities. Coaches actively participate in games, model positive behavior, and ensure every child feels included, engaged, and successful during play.
  • Class Game Time (CGT): Lead structured classroom-based play sessions that teach students games and skills they can bring into recess and the classroom. Promote cooperation, confidence, conflict resolution, physical activity, and fair play while reinforcing a positive and supportive learning environment.
  • Junior Coach Leadership Program: Facilitate a leadership development program for 4th- and 5th-grade students. Train and mentor Junior Coaches to lead games, support younger peers, and strengthen their skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, responsibility, and conflict resolution.
  • Plan and implement the learning units and recess staff trainings for program components.
• 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 professional manner.
  • Design a program schedule with input and support from the school administration.
  • Communicate with school administration regarding program implementation logistics and support needs.
  • Facilitate the school’s transition to other Playworks trainings, programs, and products in preparation for future school years.
• Regional Support Duties:
  • Support in delivering corporate engagements to adults, such as School Beautifications, Play Days, and Corporate Recesses, in person or virtually.
  • Support the regional team and the 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.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven organizational skills in meeting or exceeding expectations in production of timely planning and deliverables such as program plans, reports, and observational notes.
• Extensive 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 the 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 Meets and Zoom.
• Flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.
• Ability to work from home if needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a seasonal, full-time, non-exempt position starting in August, with the expectation that you will work through the school year.
• Full-time position, 40 hours per week, at $24.46 - $25.90/per hour.
• 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