Lunch/Recess Monitors

Position Type:
Lunch/Playground Monitors/Lunchroom/Playground Monitor

Date Posted:
5/29/2026

Location:
Spofford Pond Elementary School

Date Available:
09/02/2026
Job Description

Title: Lunch/Recess Monitor

Reports To: Principal

Evaluated By: Principal

Position Function/Job Purpose: The Lunch and Recess Monitor plays a key role in maintaining a safe, positive, and orderly environment for elementary students during their lunch and recess periods. This individual is responsible for actively supervising students in the cafeteria, on the playground, and during transitions to ensure their safety, well-being, and adherence to school expectations.


Qualifications:

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Must pass a required state and federal criminal background check.
• Proven ability to work effectively and patiently with elementary-aged children.
• Dependable and punctual with a strong attendance record.
• Ability to be firm but fair in enforcing school rules.

Preferred

• Prior experience working or volunteering with groups of children (e.g., in a school, daycare, or camp setting).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm, positive, and professional in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic understanding of child behavior and conflict resolution techniques.
• Current certification in First Aid and CPR (or willingness to obtain it).

The successful candidate will have:

Skills to manage students during lunch and recess periods.


Knowledge of conflict resolution and the school's policy and procedures around student behavior.


Dispositions include providing consistent, fair and policy-based direction to students; maintain confidential and sensitive information; communicate effectively with individuals of varied cultural and educational backgrounds; communicate in oral and written form.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cafeteria Supervision

• Actively monitor students in the cafeteria to maintain a safe and respectful atmosphere.
• Assist younger students as needed (e.g., opening milk cartons, condiment packages, or containers).
• Ensure students remain seated while eating and follow cafeteria rules.
• Wipe down tables and benches between lunch periods and assist with general clean-up of spills.
• Encourage good table manners and appropriate "inside" voice levels.

Recess Supervision

• Supervise students during outdoor and/or indoor recess, ensuring safe and appropriate play.
• Actively circulate throughout the play area to anticipate and prevent potential problems.
• Enforce school rules for playground equipment and games.
• Help organize and oversee group games or activities, encouraging positive social interaction and inclusion.
• Be aware of and monitor all students in the assigned area.

Student Safety and Support

• Proactively address and de-escalate minor student conflicts using positive reinforcement and school-approved strategies.
• Administer basic first aid for minor injuries (e.g., scrapes, bumps) as needed and report any significant injuries to the school nurse or main office.
• Be aware of students with specific medical needs, such as severe allergies.
• Report any serious behavioral incidents, safety concerns, or suspected bullying to the principal or classroom teacher immediately.
• Ensure a smooth and orderly transition of students between the cafeteria, playground, and classrooms.

Other Duties

• Maintain a professional and positive rapport with all students and staff.
• Communicate effectively with teachers, administrators, and other school personnel.
• Attend any required training sessions (e.g., safety, first aid).
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the building principal.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Work Environment:

• Be able to work in a close environment
• Be able to work in moderately noisy environment
• Be able to handle frequent interruptions
• Be able to work indoors and outdoors during the school year

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 3 hours).
• Must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold).
• Ability to move quickly to respond to student needs or emergencies.
• Frequent bending, reaching, and light lifting (e.g., lunch bags, cleaning supplies).
• Sufficient hearing and vision to monitor a large and active group of students.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Tri-Town School Union (Boxford, Middleton, and Topsfield Public Schools) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, limited English proficiency, disability, or any other protected class in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies. These protections extend to all applicants and employees.

Applicants are informed that school systems are required to obtain all available criminal offender record information (CORI and SAFIS Background Check per 603 CMR51.00) from the criminal history systems board (CHSB) of any current or prospective employee of the school department.

Salary: $18.88/hr