Playworks is hiring!

This posting is for Junior Coach Coordinator (part-time) position with expected start of January 2016

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional health. Playworks currently serves more than 1300 schools in 23 U.S. cities, and reaches 700,000 students directly and through professional training services.

At Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing school climate by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. 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. More info: www.playworks.org

About AmeriCorps:

AmeriCorps is a national community service program where people commit to serve with an organization. Nationwide, AmeriCorps members, commit to either a part-time or full-time position. This posting is for our Junior Coach Coordinator (part-time) AmeriCorps Member position. Junior Coach Coordinator members commit to serving a partial term of service and commit to at least 450 service hours. The part-time position requires approximately 25 hours per week. Members will start in early January and are expected to work through the school year. All benefits, including stipend and education award, are adjusted to part time allocations.

More information about Playworks and AmeriCorps can be found here: http://www.playworks.org/careers/school-openings/americorps-faq

About the Position:

Our Junior Coach Coordinator position is a part-time role bringing healthy play and physical activity to low-income schools to create a positive environment for learning and teaching. The member will be on site four to five days a week throughout the school year. On those days, they will serve for approximately four hours. Members are provided with extensive training and placed in an elementary school to work alongside teachers and school administrators to implement our on-site Playworks program. Members will facilitate a Junior Coach leadership development program with a group of 15-20 upper elementary students. Junior Coaches model positive behavior, lead games, and assist with conflict resolution at recess for younger students. Members also generate community and family involvement in their school community by recruiting and supporting volunteers and facilitating community engagement activities.

Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program Duties:

Plan and implement play-based programming during recess at a public elementary school through:

● Recess. Create a safe and inclusive playground, be a significant presence on the playground by organizing and playing large games with 20+ students and being a role model.

● Junior Coach Program. Implement a youth leadership program by providing student leadership opportunities at recess and facilitating trainings for students.

● Volunteer Recruitment. Recruit and coordinate volunteers to build a strong school community that supports positive, inclusive play.

Administrative Duties:

● Maintain communication and a professional relationship with school staff, teachers, families, and volunteers as a representative of Playworks and AmeriCorps

● Organize daily, weekly, and monthly program schedules

● Complete timesheets to track member service hours

● Supervise volunteers and collect volunteer logs

● Collect and enter data for various grant and evaluation requirements in online database

AmeriCorps Member Commitment:

● Part-time members commit to serving a partial term of service and commit to at least 450 service hours.

● Participation in National Days of Service.

● Participation in training, meeting and professional development with Playworks.

Required Qualifications:

● Be at least 17 years of age and have US Citizenship or Permanent Resident status

● High school diploma or equivalent

● Demonstrated experience leading and/or teaching groups of children with the ability to engage and inspire youth

● Demonstrated commitment to national and community service

● Dedicated to completing a full part-time term of service (typically a five-month school year and 450-hour term of service)

● Motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written

● Humorous and playful with ability to set clear goals and follow through with flexible and creative problem solving tools

● Multitasker, with a strong eye for detail and an ability to consider the larger context

● Experience interacting with diverse communities and the ability to integrate into an existing school community

● Knowledge of computer and internet-based programs for use in communication and grant requirements

● Access to reliable transportation (public transportation or personal transport) to/from assigned school

● Candidates must clear a National Sex Offender Public Registry, State criminal check, and FBI background check

● Successful completion of TB test, health screen and Live Scan/fingerprinting (upon hire)

What are the benefits of being an AmeriCorps member at Playworks:

● Individuals will be enrolled as AmeriCorps service members (see www.americorps.gov)

● Modest living stipend (paid out semi-monthly, with amounts varying by region)

● Partial Education award for use at Title IV college or university tuition or to pay back qualified student loans (requires completion of service)

● Possible child care expense reimbursement (http://www.americorpschildcare.com/)

● Develop leadership skills and gain valuable experience for a career in education and youth development

● Make a lasting difference in children’s lives and your community

Typical physical and mental demands:

Playworks AmeriCorps Members are required to frequently balance, bend, climb, grasp, kneel, reach, sit, squat, stand, stoop, twist, walk, and write on a daily basis. Members 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.

To Apply:

● Apply online with a resume and cover letter. Note that a cover letter is required for review. Please include 3 references in your cover letter.

● http://www.playworks.org/join-the-game/join-our-team

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

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates on a merit basis.