ABOUT THE ROLE, as a Program Specialist, you will help empower play in communities throughout our region by providing single or multi-day trainings, on-site service delivery, spreading awareness of Playworks through school outreach, and providing support for programming across PA, specifically within the Cheltenham School District. Time is split between various programming, training, and school recruitment activities. This position may require travel throughout PA and possibly DE, NJ, MD, and DC.

Specifically, you will:

School-Based Program Implementation (75%)

• Maintain communication between Playworks staff, Cheltenham school staff, teachers, and volunteers.
• Collect and maintain paperwork, including organizing daily, weekly, and monthly schedules, meeting agendas, notes, and data.
• Work with each school to identify areas of growth and set goals and action steps on a monthly basis.
• Support regional team and national program department with development of programmatic learning and management resources. Plan and implement a consultative play-based program (TeamUp) at three public elementary schools for one week each every month.
• Deliver onsite coaching, consultation, and modeling to school personnel on the implementation of 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 trainings as well as coaching recess staff to supervise and manage Junior Coaches during recess.
• Instructional classes - lead instructional classes with elementary grade level students and their teacher in skills building, cooperative games, and activities to increase awareness of rules, boundaries, skills utilized, and cultural expectations at recess.

External Playworks Trainings (25%)

• Become a certified trainer to aid in the delivery of all Playworks Pro services, including single or multi-day training and consultation visits. Potential for travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic region (PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, DC, WV).
• Provide training and consultation to teachers, school staff, and admin, youth workers, and other clients within the areas of play, youth development, recess design, physical activity, group management, conflict resolution, youth leadership, and program sustainability.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients pre- and post-training, including visits to schools to provide recess observations, consultation, and collaborative action planning with school recess teams.
• Build strong relationships with key strategic partners to generate opportunities for future trainings, working closely with a Regional Partner Experience Director (RPD) and Regional Partnerships Manager (RPM) to vet and approach partners for continued relationships.
• Work in partnership with the Regional Partnerships Manager on Playworks programming and consultation services, including: planning, scheduling, designing, facilitating, and implementing evaluation and program quality resources.
• Assist in general outreach strategy that may include: school contact research, attending local conferences, conducting on-site demonstrations to recruit new schools, and being a creative partner in these efforts.
• Build strong relationships with national and regional Playworks stakeholders to increase impact nationally/regionally and provide high-quality customer service to training clients.

WHO YOU ARE

• Self-starter. You set clear goals and follow through with flexible and creative problem-solving. You can work independently with minimal supervision. You also seek and incorporate feedback from your colleagues.

Communicator. You are not afraid to ask questions. You openly communicate with teams and departments that are different from yours, facilitating collaboration and serving as a thought partner for members of the entire organization.

• Relationship Builder. You have the ability to manage, motivate, and develop diverse individuals and teams, knowing how to meet an individual's unique needs. You also thrive in situations where you develop and maintain external relationships and partnerships, especially in a consultative role.
• Highly organized. You are great at multitasking and able to manage your time across multiple priorities.
• Detail Oriented. You catch the little things and think it’s a big deal. You understand that every word you write to an external audience is a reflection on Playworks.
• Flexible. You thrive in an environment characterized by significant growth, diversity, and constant change.
• Mission Driven. You are committed to Playworks’ mission and vision to improve outcomes for children and schools.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Proven ability to train adult participants with an empathetic and high-energy approach.
• Experience building relationships with communities and community members representing various backgrounds, identities, and ideologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading both large and small student groups from grades K-8.
• Demonstrated ability to authentically engage and empower both youth and adults in various settings.
• Ability to set clear goals and follow through with flexible and creative problem-solving tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and G Suite. Prior experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Must have access to reliable transportation - this position will require travel within Pennsylvania, Maryland, and various locations within the Mid-Atlantic region.

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 the Regional Partner Experience Manager.
• At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay scales, geographic pay differential and robust external market data. We highly value transparency 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 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:

• A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
• Resume.
• References will 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 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.

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.