Playworks Minnesota
Program Specialist Illinois
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Program Specialist Illinois
role at
Playworks Minnesota .
About Playworks Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We partner with schools, districts, and after‑school programs to provide on‑site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships. Our mission is to create a place for every child on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun.
Position Overview As a Program Specialist, you will help demonstrate the power of Playworks in new communities throughout Illinois by providing single or multi‑day trainings, on‑site service delivery, and spreading awareness of Playworks best practices. This hybrid position reports directly to the Illinois Program Director, requires frequent travel throughout Illinois and Missouri, and splits time among training, program implementation, and site support.
Responsibilities External Playworks Trainings and Consultative Support (Up to 50%)
Lead school site support: conduct baseline assessments, train school staff, establish goals, facilitate staff trainings, provide ongoing monthly onsite support, develop status reports and action plans, coordinate site‑based planning, and facilitate cross‑site learning.
Training Delivery
Serve as a certified trainer for Playworks Pro services, delivering high‑quality trainings across Illinois, Missouri, and nearby regions.
Provide training and consultation to teachers, administrators, and partners on play, youth development, recess design, conflict resolution, and program sustainability.
Develop and maintain training materials, including packets, posters, and promotional resources.
Support outreach efforts, including school contact research, conference attendance, and on‑site demonstrations.
Build relationships with national and regional stakeholders to increase impact.
School‑Based Program Implementation (Up to 50%)
Plan and implement a consultative play‑based program at one public elementary school.
Deliver onsite coaching, consultation, and modeling for recess, student leadership, and instructional classes.
Collect and manage program documentation and data.
Plan and deliver learning units and staff trainings to strengthen implementation.
Support regional and national teams by contributing programmatic resources.
Qualifications and Skills
Strong knowledge of school‑site coaching and systems change within the education sector.
Excellent organizational, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including district leaders, school staff, and parents.
Ability to facilitate both small and large‑group presentations.
Essential Skills & Experience
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in elementary education or working directly with schools and school districts.
Proven ability to quickly learn and apply Playworks’ methodology, assessment practices, management systems, and outcome measures.
Strong capacity to collaborate and engage with diverse audiences: students, recess aides, teachers, principals, and district administrators.
Demonstrated expertise in teaching and facilitating adult learners.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including experience engaging senior and executive leadership.
Skill in data‑driven decision making and interpreting trends at the school‑wide and district‑wide levels.
Ability to excel independently and collaboratively in team settings.
High professional standards with attention to detail.
Spanish fluency preferred, but not required.
Compensation & Benefits
Full‑time, exempt position with a salary of $56,600.
Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with employer match, life insurance, pre‑tax health, and child‑care spending accounts.
Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, and holiday leave.
Application Instructions
Cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience prepares you for this role.
Resume.
Other Things You Need To Know
Requires travel to various school locations, roughly 10–18 days each month.
Must have reliable transportation.
May be required to drive a vehicle for work‑related purposes; vehicle insurance and driver’s license documentation may be needed.
Flexibility to adapt to a changing environment is essential.
Equal Opportunity Statement Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment on a merit basis.
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Program Specialist Illinois
role at
Playworks Minnesota .
About Playworks Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We partner with schools, districts, and after‑school programs to provide on‑site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships. Our mission is to create a place for every child on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun.
Position Overview As a Program Specialist, you will help demonstrate the power of Playworks in new communities throughout Illinois by providing single or multi‑day trainings, on‑site service delivery, and spreading awareness of Playworks best practices. This hybrid position reports directly to the Illinois Program Director, requires frequent travel throughout Illinois and Missouri, and splits time among training, program implementation, and site support.
Responsibilities External Playworks Trainings and Consultative Support (Up to 50%)
Lead school site support: conduct baseline assessments, train school staff, establish goals, facilitate staff trainings, provide ongoing monthly onsite support, develop status reports and action plans, coordinate site‑based planning, and facilitate cross‑site learning.
Training Delivery
Serve as a certified trainer for Playworks Pro services, delivering high‑quality trainings across Illinois, Missouri, and nearby regions.
Provide training and consultation to teachers, administrators, and partners on play, youth development, recess design, conflict resolution, and program sustainability.
Develop and maintain training materials, including packets, posters, and promotional resources.
Support outreach efforts, including school contact research, conference attendance, and on‑site demonstrations.
Build relationships with national and regional stakeholders to increase impact.
School‑Based Program Implementation (Up to 50%)
Plan and implement a consultative play‑based program at one public elementary school.
Deliver onsite coaching, consultation, and modeling for recess, student leadership, and instructional classes.
Collect and manage program documentation and data.
Plan and deliver learning units and staff trainings to strengthen implementation.
Support regional and national teams by contributing programmatic resources.
Qualifications and Skills
Strong knowledge of school‑site coaching and systems change within the education sector.
Excellent organizational, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including district leaders, school staff, and parents.
Ability to facilitate both small and large‑group presentations.
Essential Skills & Experience
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in elementary education or working directly with schools and school districts.
Proven ability to quickly learn and apply Playworks’ methodology, assessment practices, management systems, and outcome measures.
Strong capacity to collaborate and engage with diverse audiences: students, recess aides, teachers, principals, and district administrators.
Demonstrated expertise in teaching and facilitating adult learners.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including experience engaging senior and executive leadership.
Skill in data‑driven decision making and interpreting trends at the school‑wide and district‑wide levels.
Ability to excel independently and collaboratively in team settings.
High professional standards with attention to detail.
Spanish fluency preferred, but not required.
Compensation & Benefits
Full‑time, exempt position with a salary of $56,600.
Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with employer match, life insurance, pre‑tax health, and child‑care spending accounts.
Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, and holiday leave.
Application Instructions
Cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience prepares you for this role.
Resume.
Other Things You Need To Know
Requires travel to various school locations, roughly 10–18 days each month.
Must have reliable transportation.
May be required to drive a vehicle for work‑related purposes; vehicle insurance and driver’s license documentation may be needed.
Flexibility to adapt to a changing environment is essential.
Equal Opportunity Statement Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment on a merit basis.
#J-18808-Ljbffr