Playworks AmeriCorps Program Coordinator (Denver)

About the Organization:

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 here: http://www.playworks.org/careers/school-openings/americorps-faq

About the Position:

Our AmeriCorps member position or "Coach" is a full-time position 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, inspire all children to get off the sidelines and into the game and work to generate more community and family involvement through recruiting and supporting volunteers. This term of service will span approximately one full school year. Member start and end dates vary -- typically starting sometime in August or September and ending in May or June.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program Duties: 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 yard and be a significant presence on the yard by organizing and playing large games with 20+ students as well as role modeling
• Junior Coach Program – organize a youth leadership program by facilitating trainings and working with teachers and staff
• 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 an after school program, including small group homework, snack and physical activity or a before school program, consisting of early morning play and physical activities on campus
• Interscholastic leagues - recruit and coach students for developmental sports leagues
• Volunteer Program - recruit and coordinate volunteers (e.g. school family members) to build a school community that supports positive, inclusive play and physical activity
• Service Projects - participate in monthly service projects and national days of service, working together as a team to serve the community

Administrative Duties:

• Maintain communication between Playworks staff, school staff, teachers, families, and volunteers
• Collect and maintain paperwork including organizing daily, weekly, and monthly schedules, timesheets and volunteer logs
• Collect and enter data for various grant requirements in online database

For more information about the position check out our Coach FAQ

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading 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

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/)

To Apply:

• Go to http://www.playworks.org/careers/americorps-program-coordinator/apply-now
• Please no phone calls

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.