Program Specialist

PlayWorks

PlayWorks

This job is no longer accepting applications

See open jobs at PlayWorks.
Administration
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Posted on Friday, May 26, 2023

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 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 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.

ABOUT THIS ROLE, as a Program Specialist you will help demonstrate the power of Playworks in communities throughout Southern California by providing single or multi-day training, on-site service delivery, spreading awareness of Playworks through school recruitment and outreach, and providing support for programming across Southern California. This position will be split between various program and training activities, and will require frequent travel.

Specifically, you will:

Program Implementation

  • Plan and implement a consultative play-based program (Team-Up) at two to three district or charter elementary schools.
  • Maintain communication between Playworks staff, school staff, teachers, and volunteers
  • Collect and maintain paperwork including organizing daily, weekly, monthly schedules, meeting agendas, implementation emails, notes, lesson plans, school newsletters and data.
  • Plan and implement the learning units and recess staff training for program components.
  • Support hub/regional team and national program department with development of programmatic learning.
  • Deliver onsite coaching, consultation, and modeling to school personnel, implementing the following components.
    • Recess - with School Personnel create and coach recess staff to develop a safe and inclusive playground and be a significant presence on the playground by organizing and playing large games with 20+ students as well as role modeling positive behavior.
    • Student leadership program – with School Personnel organize a “Junior Coach” student leadership program by facilitating training as well as coaching recess staff to supervise and manage Junior Coaches during recess. This includes an afterschool component with students; teaching the leadership curriculum and game facilitation.
    • Instructional classes - lead instructional classes with elementary grade levels students and their teacher in skills building, cooperative games, and activities to increase awareness of rules, boundaries, skills utilized and cultural expectations at recess.

Professional Development

  • Become a certified trainer to deliver all Playworks Pro services, includes travel throughout SoCal and surrounding states delivering Playworks training.
  • On non-program implementation weeks implement and facilitate various trainings throughout SoCal and possibly nearby regions

Hub & Regional Support:

  • Ongoing learning to develop training skills and curriculum
  • Act as a partner for fundraising projects and events
  • Attend conferences and professional development opportunities
  • Support Playworks programming and community initiatives i.e. AmeriCorps week, Employee Appreciation, Play Dates etc.
  • Take an active role in pre-service training for all new and returning staff.

Administrative Duties:

  • Will “own” several demonstration projects including client communication, proactive internal Playworks communication and timely reporting.
  • Collect and maintain paperwork including organizing daily, weekly, and monthly schedules, timesheets, and mileage reports.
  • Engage in performance enrichment with their direct manager.
  • Managing training materials, equipment, supplies, storage unit

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 the ability to make connections and sustain multiple relationships while multi-tasking other important projects.
  • The strongest candidate will be a confident leader with the ability to take on many roles and sell Playworks to new partners.
  • A want and desire to grow and sell Playworks program throughout Southern California
  • You will be successful if you can own projects, drive initiatives, and be a communicative team player.

Required Skills & Experience:

  • Demonstrated experience leading groups of children of all sizes with the ability to engage and inspire youth
  • Proven ability to train adult participants including helping with change management, connecting strategies to outcomes and being able to speak on a micro and macro scales.
  • Motivated self-starter with clear and open communication skills
  • Humorous and playful with ability to set clear goals and follow through with flexible and creative problem solving tools while working efficiently and effectively
  • Ability to engage with diverse staff and leadership to promote equity, trust, collaboration, and partnership between departments and levels of leadership.
  • Conceptual ability for the larger perspective with a strong attention to detail and multitasking
  • 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
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written
  • Ability to manage assorted tasks with a focus on enhancing the experience for youth during the school day
  • Must have access to reliable transportation to travel locally, this position will require travel to various regional locations

Compensation & Benefits:

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

  • In compliance with California’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the expected hourly rate for this full-time, non-exempt position is $27.07 per hour.
  • A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with 3% employer match, life insurance, employee-funded pre-tax health, and child care spending accounts.
  • Generous paid time off with paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave.

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!

Please include:

  • A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
  • Resume.
  • References will be requested if competitive for the position.

We are committed to racial equity, and we make a particular effort to recruit people of color, indigenous people, gender non-binary people, and people with historically more marginalized identities to apply for open positions. Our core values of cultivate play, center equity, continue learning and collaborate within communities are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!

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.

This job is no longer accepting applications

See open jobs at PlayWorks.