ABOUT THIS ROLE, as a Program Specialist, you will help demonstrate the power of Playworks in communities throughout the region 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 Colorado. 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 one 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 - work with school and recess staff to develop a safe and inclusive playground through modeling, coaching and consultation .
- 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.
- Foundational Play 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 expectations at recess.
Professional Development
- Become a certified trainer to deliver all Playworks Pro services, includes travel throughout Colorado and surrounding states delivering Playworks training.
- On non-program implementation weeks implement and facilitate various trainings throughout Colorado 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. Americorp week, Soiree for Play, Corporate Kickball, Employee Appreciation, Play Dates etc.
- Take an active role in pre-service training for all new and returning staff when not running Playworks Pro services
- Work with Regional Program Team to support school staff and partners throughout the school year when not delivering Pro services
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 highling the value of Playworks to new partners.
- A want and desire to grow Playworks program throughout Colorado
- 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
- Strong ability to interact 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:
- This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to a Playworks Program Manager.
- At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and therefore are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The starting salary for this position is $56,600.
- A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401(k) and 1% employer match, employee funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts.
- Generous Flex PTO policy with paid 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:
- Resume.
- References may be requested.
Typical Physical & Mental Demands: This position requires sufficient physical ability and mobility to stand for extended periods at times; walk on a school site in various weather conditions; to climb stairs at some sites; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach and twist and, dependent on assignment the employee may occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 50 pounds. Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching, and eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier and other office equipment.
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. 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.
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.
