Job Type: Non-Union
Job Posting: COP-00054-23
Salary: $17 / hour
Department: Parks Department
The City of Providence welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce at all levels of the organization. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit hiring discrimination of any type. All City hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
PLEASE NOTE:
All persons employed by the City of Providence are required to have achieved a fully vaccinated status against the COVID-19 virus. “Fully vaccinated status” shall be defined as having received the full number of doses required to complete the vaccination series of one of the currently recognized COVID-19 vaccines. Proof of vaccination completion will be required before beginning employment with the City.
The PlayCorps Program activates parks and recreation centers across the city with free play, art, and creative exploration, in conjunction with the free federal meals program. Teams of trained play facilitators provide activities and materials to inspire child-directed free play and promote healthy habits for Providence youth.
Leader Responsibilities
Leaders will oversee PlayCorps teams, with each team assigned to a specific Providence neighborhood park and/or recreation center. Responsibilities include:
- Supporting children’s self-directed play
- Providing a variety of play-based activities for children to choose from
- Providing play materials and securing play materials at the end of each day
- Ensuring the play space is free of hazards and trash
- Effectively redirecting unacceptable behavior and assisting children in resolving conflicts as needed
- Creating a fun and welcoming environment for city children
- Serving Providence summer and CACFP meals program and monitoring meal sites
In addition, the Play Leader is responsible for:
- Managing teams of PlayCorps Associates
- Integrating PlayCorps activities into other parks and recreation center activities (e.g. waterparks, supplemental programming)
- Collecting and recording daily data such as the number of people (children/adults) engaging in activities; number of repeat users; amount of time spent at activities; and observations of the children’s activities
- Leading his/her team in reflective practice, daily reflections on children’s activities and
- PlayCorps interventions toward continuous improvement
PlayCorps Leaders will be trained and guided in basic playwork, the practice of supporting children’s play without directing it. As a result, they will:
- Understand the value of children’s self-directed play
- Be equipped to support children’s play without directing it
- Be able to observe and assess children’s behavior and know when to step in
- Have strategies for effectively redirecting unacceptable behavior
- Be prepared to implement a variety of play opportunities
PlayCorps Leaders will also receive training in community engagement and cultural competence, food insecurity and free federal summer meals program, restorative practices and emergency protocols.
Minimum Qualifications
Successful applicants will:
- Respect and enjoy children and appreciate the value of free play to their healthy development
- Have experience working with/caring for children
- Have supervisory or team leadership experience
- Be able to collect and track data
- Show qualities of playfulness, resourcefulness, creativity, flexibility, enthusiasm, and tolerance
- Be energetic, highly responsible, absolutely dependable, and able to work independently
and as a team member
- Be able to manage interns
- Be able to move quickly, sustain periods of prolonged standing, lift up to 25 pounds, and work outdoors in all weather
- Daily Access to reliable transportation to travel to multiple recreation centers
- Conversant in Spanish or a Southeast Asian language preferred
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Preference is given to Providence residents
Note: All Leaders will be required to submit a cleared RI BCI background check
Posting expires when the position is filled.