New England Program Specialist

Booster; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Playworks, a national nonprofit, is seeking a Site Specialist to bring the power of play to two elementary schools in the Boston/Lawrence area, helping shape school culture and student belonging. You will lead recess and class games, teach conflict resolution, and partner with staff and families to foster community.

As a seasonal, full-time, non-exempt role starting in August, you will plan programming, coordinate schedules, mentor Junior Coaches, and support school partnerships.

Qualifications

• Experience working with groups of children in educational or recreational settings.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work with school staff and families.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement play-based programming at two elementary schools.
• Lead recess activities and model positive behavior.
• Teach classroom games (CGT) and promote cooperation.
• Mentor Junior Coaches and lead staff trainings.
• Maintain schedules, timesheets, and program documentation.
• Represent Playworks professionally to school staff.

Skills

Youth development

Program planning

Group leadership

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Adaptability

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Drive

Zoom

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

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 Specialist (also known as Playworks Coaches) to support local school communities.

As a Site Specialist, you will bring the power of healthy play and physical activity to two elementary schools in {Boston/Lawrence}, helping create joyful environments where students and staff can thrive. In partnership with school communities, you will lead Playworks programming throughout the school day, using play to build skills, strengthen school culture, and support student success. You will facilitate engaging recess and class game sessions, teach conflict resolution, and inspire all students to participate, feel connected, and collaborate with school staff and families to foster a stronger sense of community both inside and outside the classroom.

ABOUT PLAYWORKS:

At 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.

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 two public elementary schools.
• RecessCreate 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 ProgramFacilitate 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:

• 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.

The scope, responsibilities, and priorities of this role may shift over time in response to organizational needs and strategic direction.

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 a 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 be a motivated self-starter with the ability to set clear goals and follow through with flexible and creative problem-solving.

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.

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 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

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
• In the event of virtual instruction activities, the position will require the use of computer technology and internet access

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 Specialist must also be able to occasionally lift and carry light to medium loads of 10 – 50 pounds and occasionally pull and push loads of 10 – 50 pounds. Requires normal hearing and vision to communicate with children and adults. Also requires flexibility to readily adapt to changing environments.

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of national origin, religion, gender, differing abilities (physical, mental, learning), sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, political affiliation, military experience, and any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates on a merit basis.