Program Specialist

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.

ABOUT PLAYWORKS

At Playworks, we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We create a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site support, professional training for school staff who support recess, digital resources, and consultative partnerships.

ABOUT THE POSITION

As a Program Specialist, you will help demonstrate the power of Playworks in communities throughout Michigan and Ohio by providing high-quality trainings, consultative support, on-site program delivery, and spreading awareness of Playworks best practices.

The Program Specialist helps ensure that partners experience high-quality, consistent Playworks programming while building the capacity of school staff to successfully implement and sustain Playworks practices. This role reports directly to the Associate Program Director.

This is a flexible, hybrid regional delivery role, with responsibilities shifting based on partner and program needs. Time may include school-based programming, trainings, consultative support, partner follow-up, regional program coverage, and other activities that support high-quality program delivery.

Specifically, you will:

Training & Consultative Support

• Deliver high-quality Playworks trainings and consultative support that build partner capacity and support successful implementation.
• Assess partner needs and provide practical coaching and guidance that help school teams set goals, address challenges, and strengthen implementation.
• Build and steward strong partner relationships through responsive communication, follow-up, and ongoing support that strengthen the partner experience and support long-term partnership.
• Represent Playworks professionally at trainings, partner meetings, conferences, demonstrations, and other regional activities.

TeamUp & Regional Program Support

• Deliver high-quality TeamUp programming at assigned elementary schools, using play to strengthen recess culture and build the capacity of school communities to sustain Playworks practices.
• Partner with school leadership and recess teams to assess needs, establish goals, develop action plans, and strengthen systems that support successful implementation.
• Coach and train school staff by modeling strategies, games, and systems that help create active, positive, and engaging recess environments.
• Deliver student-facing programming through group play and youth leadership experiences that build positive recess expectations, cooperation, leadership, and conflict resolution.
• Use observations, assessment tools, data, and partner feedback to monitor progress, identify needs, and adjust support.
• Maintain strong partner relationships and required program documentation, communicating progress, successes, challenges, and emerging needs to the Associate Program Director.
• Provide flexible program coverage across TeamUp schools as needed to maintain consistent, high-quality service during staff absences, vacancies, or other regional program needs.

If you're a good fit for this position, you already know much of what the role entails. To provide a clear picture, here are a few important details:

• Success in this position requires experience working with schools and the ability to coach adults, facilitate learning, and build strong relationships with school and district partners.
• You'll thrive in this role if you bring strong organizational, analytical, and strategic thinking skills and can successfully manage multiple schools, trainings, partners, and priorities.
• This role requires someone who can move comfortably between doing, modeling, coaching, and consulting—knowing when to lead directly and when to build the capacity of others to lead.
• Because this is a flexible regional role, you'll need to be comfortable shifting between schools, partners, and types of program delivery based on regional needs while maintaining consistent quality and follow-through.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in education, youth development, training/facilitation, or school-based program implementation.
• Strong experience facilitating adult learning and coaching others, with the ability to model practices, provide constructive feedback, and build confidence and capacity.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage students, educators, school administrators, district leaders, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to build and steward strong professional relationships and deliver a responsive, high-quality partner experience.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple schools, partners, trainings, schedules, and shifting priorities.
• Strong observation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data, feedback, and assessment to identify needs, develop actionable next steps, and adjust support.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative, sound judgment, accountability, and consistent follow-through.
• Adaptability and comfort working in a flexible regional role, including moving between direct program delivery, adult coaching, consultation, training, and school coverage based on program needs.

Compensation & Benefits

Playworks offers a comprehensive package that includes great benefits, a supportive and fun work environment, and opportunities for professional growth. We provide:

• Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, exempt position. The expected salary is $53,400 and will increase to $55,100 on October 1st. 
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with employer match, life insurance, and employee-funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts.
• Generous paid time off with paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave.

This is a hands-on, creative, playful, and fun-loving place to work, all while making a meaningful impact on the success of students across the country. If you're ready to dive into the education sector, tackle rewarding challenges, and bring your skills, experience, passion, and team spirit, we encourage you to apply!

Please include:

• Resume and a cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.

Other things you need to know:

• This position is based in Southeast Michigan, and candidates must reside in or within reasonable commuting distance of the region. Regular travel to schools and partner locations throughout Michigan, with occasional travel to Ohio based on program needs, is required. Reliable transportation is required.
• If a Playworks employee is required to drive a vehicle for work-related purposes (not commuting), the employee must complete an authorization form and provide evidence of a valid, current driver's license and proof of liability/collision/property damage insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000 per accident / $100,000 per occurrence.

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.