Site Coordinator

Full-Time, Exempt | Twin Cities Metro

ABOUT PLAYWORKS:

At Playworks, we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We create a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun. 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.

In Minnesota, Playworks partners with schools serving over 25,000 children each year. We’re part of a national network that reaches hundreds of thousands of students, and locally, we’re recognized for piloting new ideas, building strong partnerships, and helping schools create playful cultures.

This role is based in the Twin Cities metro, where you’ll work hands-on with schools and also help bring our community together through events and conferences that celebrate student leadership.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

As a Site Coordinator, you serve as an on-site consultant and coach to elementary and middle school staff who support recess and play-based learning. You’ll partner with teachers and administrators at four designated PreK–8 schools throughout the year to design, model, and help staff implement games, systems, and student leadership programming that foster safe play cultures across the school day.

A central part of your work will be the Junior Coach Program—Playworks’ youth leadership model, where 4th–8th grade students are trained to lead recess activities, model positive behavior, and support younger peers. You’ll help schools recruit Junior Coaches, facilitate leadership trainings, and coach staff to supervise and mentor these student leaders.

In addition to school-based coaching, you’ll also support Playworks events and conferences (such as the Junior Coach Leadership Conference) by helping plan logistics, facilitating activities, and representing Playworks with educators, partners, and volunteers.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Program Implementation

• Lead and consult with school staff at 4 schools across our three components:
  
  
• Recess: With school personnel, coach recess staff to develop a safe and inclusive playground. Be an active modeling presence by organizing and demonstrating large-group games (20+ students) and promoting positive behavior alongside school staff.
  
  
• Youth Leadership (Junior Coaches): With school personnel, organize and facilitate the Junior Coach Program, where 4th–8th grade students are trained to lead recess, resolve conflicts, and model play. Provide coaching to staff to help them supervise and mentor these student leaders.
  
  
• Instructional Classes: Lead classroom lessons with PreK–8th–grade students and their teachers to teach cooperative skills, boundaries, and expectations that transfer to recess.
• Plan and implement recess staff and all staff trainings.
  
  

Coaching & Consultation

• Model Playworks’ core values, implementation strategies, group management, and rapport-building for school staff.
• Provide staff with action plans, goal-setting, and feedback regarding play and recess.
• Share observation notes and program strategy with your Program Manager and school administration.

School Partnership

• Maintain clear communication between Playworks staff, school staff, and teachers.
• Collect and organize schedules and program paperwork (daily/weekly/monthly).
• Represent Playworks professionally with all stakeholders.
• Monitor and adjust program schedules as the year evolves.
• Communicate with school administrators about program components and impact.
• Participate in consultation meetings with school leadership.
  
  

Events & Community Engagement

• Support the planning and execution of Playworks events and conferences.
• Coordinate logistics, facilitate activities, and represent Playworks with educators, partners, and volunteers.
  
  

WHO YOU ARE:

• You love to play and can bring energy to both kids and adults.
• You’re comfortable leading large groups of children and adults.
• You’re highly organized, able to juggle multiple priorities, and good at problem-solving.
• You’re a self-starter who can set goals, follow through, and adapt creatively.
• You enjoy variety—balancing school-based work with community events.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of basic youth development practices (safety, inclusion, leadership, and positive relationships).
  
• 1–2 years of experience working with children in group settings.
• Experience collaborating with adults in professional environments.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Experience engaging diverse communities and integrating into school cultures.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Sheets, etc.).
• Daily access to reliable transportation; schools are metro-based but spread across the region.
  
  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $44,300 annually.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and employee-funded pre-tax spending accounts.
• Time Off: Generous Flex PTO plus paid sick leave and holidays.
• Culture: A mission-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow.
  
  

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit:

• A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
• Resume.
• References (to be requested later).

This position requires physical activity, including standing, walking outdoors in various weather, leading active games, and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds.

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.