Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. Learn about the energetic, creative people working to ensure every kid has the chance to play—every day.

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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 the PacNW (OR/WA/ID/AK). This position will be split between various program and training activities and will require frequent travel.

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Program Manager. The work will be hybrid, based out of the Portland metro area, and requires 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, including travel throughout Oregon/WA/ID/AK.
• On non-program implementation weeks implement and facilitate various trainings throughout PACNW 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.Employee Appreciation, Play Dates etc.

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 PACNW
• 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:

• This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the 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 salary for this position is $53,400
• 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:

• 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 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. 

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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 cultivating play, center equity, continued learning and collaboration 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.

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