Junior School Playground Assistant

United Nations International School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 27,552,000 - 33,062,000; Part time

Job summary

The United Nations International School (UNIS) in New York is seeking a Part-Time Playground Assistant to supervise Junior School students during arrival, breaks, lunch and dismissal.

The role runs Monday–Friday with a 7:45 AM start, delivering 17.5 hours per week. The position pays $22 per hour and includes outdoor supervision, pool duties on designated days, and a collaborative team approach to student safety.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree preferred.
• Fluency in at least one UN official language desired.
• Previous work experience in childcare/teaching preferred.
• Experience with children in school/childcare setting is an asset.
• Knowledge of first aid is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Junior School students during arrival, breaks, lunch, and dismissal.
• Provide morning supervision in designated areas (Oman Hall, bus arrival, outdoors).
• Support safe arrival and supervision of students dropped off by parents.
• Assist with pool supervision during Junior School pool sessions on designated days.
• Work as part of a team to supervise pool and changing-room areas.
• Support gender-specific pool supervision needs.
• Provide supervision during afternoon bus dismissal and coordinate with Transportation staff.
• Assist with dismissal and monitor transportation needs to end of shift.
• Be physically able to work outdoors year-round.

Skills

Communication

First aid

Teamwork

Nurturing demeanor

Early mornings

Foreign language fluency

Education

Associate’s Degree

Job description

Location: New York, NY

Job Id:810

# of Openings:1

Job Type: Part-Time (Hourly)

As of September 17, 2026

Under the auspices of the United Nations and guided by its ideals, The United Nations International School (UNIS) provides an inclusive and diverse learning environment in which rigorous international programs foster academic excellence, innovation, creativity and cross-cultural communication to educate and inspire its students to become an active force in shaping a better world: peaceful, compassionate and sustainable.

UNIS fosters a collaborative culture where all members of the community work to collectively meet the mission and goals of the school. At the heart of the school’s mission and the driving force in its institutional and instructional decisions is the belief that all students are provided the opportunity to learn with the most inclusive learning experience with educational excellence and equity. Faculty and staff use a whole-child approach to ensure students’ social, emotional, and academic needs are met for student success.

Position Purpose:

UNIS is committed to providing a safe and orderly environment for students during non-instructional time periods during the day (arrival, break, lunch, and dismissal).

This is a part-time position, Monday–Friday, supporting students in the Junior School.

The Playground Assistant responsibilities and skills are:

• The Playground Assistant will work as part of a team supervising Junior School students during arrival, breaks, lunch, dismissal, and other non-instructional periods.
• Provide morning supervision for Junior School students, including coverage in Oman Hall, the bus arrival area, and outdoor areas.
• Support the safe arrival and supervision of students who are dropped off by their parents in the morning.
• Assist with pool supervision during Junior School pool sessions, which take place during the first two periods of the school day on designated days throughout most of the school year.
• Work as part of a team to provide appropriate adult supervision for students in the pool and changing-room areas, as assigned.
• Support gender‑specific pool supervision needs, including supervision of girls’ and boys’ groups as appropriate.
• Provide supervision and support during afternoon bus dismissal, working collaboratively with Junior School and Transportation staff to ensure students are safely dismissed.
• Assist with student supervision during dismissal and remain attentive to changing transportation needs until the end of the scheduled shift.
• Applicants must be physically able to work outside throughout the year.
• Applicants must be knowledgeable about student behavior and characteristics.
• They must have a nurturing demeanor and must be committed to ensuring student safety.
• They must have good communication skills in order to effectively communicate with students, teachers, principals, and other school personnel.
• Previous experience working with students and knowledge of first aid is an asset.
• Applicants must be dependable and able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Applicants must be comfortable working early morning hours and supporting outdoor, pool, and transportation supervision duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Associate's Degree preferred
• Fluency in at least one of the official UN foreign languages desired
• Previous work experience / childcare / teaching experience preferred
• Experience working with children in a school, childcare, recreation, or similar setting is an asset
• Knowledge of first aid is an asset
• Hours: 7:45 AM start time; 17.5 hours per week, with hours distributed strategically based on Junior School supervision needs
• Additional hours and scheduling may vary depending on school activities, pool days, arrival, dismissal, and transportation needs.

This is an hourly position at $22 per hour.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job posting describes you, then please apply for this role.

The United Nations International School provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, height, weight, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay‑off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.