About the Organization:

At Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid.

Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that improves school climate, reduces bullying and increases student engagement in school through play and physical activity. Through both our training programs and our on-site direct service, Playworks teaches children to resolve their own conflicts that arise at recess and carry over to the classroom, restoring valuable teaching and learning time. We help transform recess into a safe, fun and inclusive time that gets students active and engaged so they can return to the classroom focused and ready to learn.  For more information, please visit www.playworks.org.

About AmeriCorps:

AmeriCorps is a national community service program where people commit to serve with an organization. Nationwide, these people, called AmeriCorps members, commit to either a part-time or full-time position. At Playworks, our full-time AmeriCorps members commit to serving a 1700 hour term of service. This typically coincides with a full school year (about 10 months).

More information about Playworks and AmeriCorps can be found on the AmerCorps FAQ 

About the Position: 

Our Playworks Corps Member position is a full-time role bringing healthy play and physical activity to low-income schools to create a positive environment for learning and teaching. Members are trained and placed at an urban elementary school to run Playworks’ physical activity program focused on teaching and organizing safe and inclusive games before, during and after school. Members teach conflict resolution strategies and inspire all children to get off the sidelines and into the game. Members work to generate more community and family involvement through recruiting and supporting volunteers and facilitating community engagement activities. This term of service will span approximately one full school year. Members start and end dates vary–typically starting sometime in August or September and ending in May or June.

These positions are for the 2014-15 school year. Interviews for these positions are held throughout the summer with start dates in early/mid August. Available in all Playworks locations.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Program Duties (if applicable):
Planning and implementing positive sports and play based programming during recess, in school and after school hours at a public elementary school.

• Recess – create 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
• Junior Coach Program – implement a youth leadership program by facilitating trainings for students and providing student leadership opportunities at recess
• Class Game Time – lead individual classes in skills building, cooperative games, and activities to increase awareness of rules and boundaries at recess
• Out-of-School Program – continue to promote Playworks’ core values in an out of school setting through a before school program, consisting of early morning play and physical activities on campus and/or an after school program with students focused on Playworks games and core values
• Interscholastic leagues – recruit and coach students for developmental sports leagues
• Community Engagement Initiative – design and implement family engagement events at the school site; recruit and coordinate volunteers to build a strong community that supports positive, inclusive play; educate students and greater school community about national service movement and volunteer opportunities in the local community
• Service Projects – participate in national days of service, serving alongside other AmeriCorps members to serve the community as a team

Administrative Duties:

• Maintain communication between Playworks staff, school staff, teachers, families, and volunteers
• Organize daily, weekly, and monthly schedules, complete timesheets and collect volunteer logs
• Collect and enter data for various grant and evaluation requirements in online database

For more information about the position check out our Day In the Life of a Corps Member

Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated experience leading and/or teaching groups of children with the ability to engage and inspire youth
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the greater community
• Commitment to serving for one full school-year and completing 1700 hours of service during that school-year (40+ hours/week of service, including participating in occasional night and weekend service opportunities such as community service projects)
• Motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written
• Humorous and playful with ability to set clear goals and follow through with flexible and creative problem solving tools
• 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 and existing school community
• Knowledge of computer and internet based programs for use in communication and grant requirements

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Individuals will be enrolled as AmeriCorps service members (info at www.americorps.gov)
•  Living allowance for the service period
• Education award for use at Title IV institutions or to pay back qualified student loans (pending completion of a minimum of 1700 hours of service)
• Health plan includes medical benefits
• Possible child care expense reimbursement (http://www.americorpschildcare.com/)

How to Apply: 

This position is for the 2014-15 school year. Interviews for these positions are held throughout the summer with start dates in early/mid August. 

• Please no phone calls
• Position will remain open until filled
• Playworks employees please visit the HR Google site to submit your resume and cover letter

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or physical ability, and evaluates all candidates on a merit basis.

See more at: http://www.playworks.org/join-the-game/join-our-team/americorps-program-coordinator#sthash.79aWC0Xs.dpuf