Playworker on Adventure Play (Afterschool Program)

Playworker for Adventure Play Work Location: The Parish School (Private) Start Date: ASAP Schedule: Part-time (approximately 16.25 hours per week) Are you seeking a child-directed outdoor teaching environment? Do you want to work in a camp like atmosphere? Discover a purposeful and meaningful career that transforms the lives of students and changes the trajectory of their future.

Find a nurturing community that values people, ethical practices, passion, and creativity. Our staff is the most valuable resource we have in accomplishing our mission to empower children with communication delays and learning differences to thrive through whole-child education, innovative therapy, and access to nature.

Position Overview

The Playworker creates open-ended, child-directed play opportunities for Adventure Play at The Parish School. Provides space, time, and materials for children to know themselves and their peers, and to explore through self-directed play. Collaborates with the Adventure Play (AP) Team regarding the children’s health and well-being.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Creates a climate that is conducive to free play - behavior that is personally directed, freely chosen, and intrinsically motivated. Demonstrates professionalism and best practices in play work. Offers creative ideas and materials to support a wide range of play types and opportunities. Provides an environment that is welcoming and safe for child-directed play.

Maintains Adventure Playground, including restocking and organizing materials. Performs regular risk assessments in collaboration with the Adventure Play team. Maintains communication with staff and administration Competencies & Attributes: Flexible, Adaptable, and Patient: On any given day, a playworker might help children build a fort, be involved in a water fight, observe play from a discrete distance, or clear out materials that aren’t being used.

A playworker does not provide specific activities, but responds to children’s ideas and needs in a playful and non-judgmental manner. Ability to communicate and collaborate within a team: The playworker balances being deeply present for individual children “in the moment” while observing the play site as a whole. Communication with other playworkers and adult caregivers is essential.

Willingness to learn and grow through the reflective process and professional development opportunities. Ability to separate widely held preconceptions around adult-child relationships, and children’s capacities. Excellent time management, ability to prioritize, and problem-solve independently. Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions Skills/ Education High school diploma or general education degree (GED) Experience working with children.

Experience working on a team. Skills in construction or tool use preferred. About The Parish School Since 1983, The Parish School has educated children ages 2–12 who have communication delays and learning differences, empowering them with the tools to succeed. This nationally recognized, special needs school in Houston, Texas provides an education for the entire family within the environment of a nurturing and safe 17-acre campus with on-site pediatric therapy clinic, The Carruth Center.

Our personalized academic approach—with a focus on communication skills, social learning, independence, nature and the arts—allows children to thrive and grow. The Parish School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender or religious affiliation.