Brooklyn Recess Coach

Kids in the Game•New York, NY

14d•$22 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

JOIN OUR NETWORK OF RECESS COACHES Join us at Kids in the Game to help us change the way kids play! Be part of a team dedicated to providing enriching recess experiences for children, fostering their growth, and promoting a love for physical activity and learning. If you have experience leading games for large groups of kids, want to become a stronger coach, or already have a background in sports and physical play, this role is for you! WHO WE ARE Kids in the Game sport and enrichment-based programs can be found in schools and communities across New York City, serving thousands of children every year. Our goal is to provide positive experiences and opportunities through sports and creative play. We inspire kids to embrace new experiences, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and build integrity. Our work is focused on achieving four ultimate impacts: Enhancing emotional intelligence Creating a positive sense of self Developing NYC into the nation’s top talent hub Integrating our communities Narrowing the income inequality gaps Kids in the Game is a Certified B Corporation and we’re committed to doing business for good. We are striving every day to have a positive impact on the lives of our youth, and we believe that it all starts with being the best part of their day. Brooklyn Recess Specific Areas: East New York - 11239 Canarsie - 11236 Borough Park - 11204 Brooklyn Heights - 11201 East Flatbush - 11212 Bay Ridge - 11209 WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are actively seeking coaches, college students, and youth development specialists to join our dynamic team of recess coaches from September 2025 through June 2026. As a valued member of Kids in the Game, you will be able to help us follow and model our 5 organizational core values through action: Positivity: Create an energetic and uplifting environment where kids feel excited to participate. Empathy: Show understanding and support for each child’s unique needs and emotions. Commitment: Be dependable and deliver consistent, high-quality programming. Ambition: Strive to continuously improve as a coach and inspire youth to set and achieve personal goals. Inclusivity: Ensure every child, regardless of ability or background, feels welcomed and valued. WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING Brooklyn Recess Coaches lead group games during the school day in schools across the neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Coaches organize games and challenges that promote physical activity and positive interaction among children and young adults from pre-K to middle school. Your goal is to develop motor skills and physical development among younger children and encourage proper exercise and eating habits among older children. You must be able to adapt your activities to accommodate and include children with different physical and developmental abilities. Brooklyn Worksite Neighborhoods: East New York - 11239 Canarsie - 11236 Borough Park - 11204 Brooklyn Heights - 11201 East Flatbush - 11212 Bay Ridge - 11209 Weekly Schedule: Our Recess coaches are expected to work 10-15 hours per week in different schools throughout the week. Most recess programs operate 3-5 days per week for 2-3 hours per day anywhere between 9am-2pm. WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE ABOUT US We are a youthful, passionate, committed team of individuals who care about our youth and city. We are committed to developing innovative, creative programs that promote creative play and sports skill development. We work hard and push each other personally and professionally to keep growing. We offer you the freedom to reach new parts of NYC while working in diverse communities. We are an active team and regularly participate in company social leagues, team-building activities, and sporting events. OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU At Kids in the Game, you can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all of our interns and employees. We recruit candidates from across the city, state, and country, from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We have developed partnerships with organizations that allow us to target our hiring practices to include chronically discriminated against or low-income groups, and improve their access to high-quality employment opportunities.

Requirements

Must be able to demonstrate positive group management and engagement through a structured interview and demo process.
Must be able to work within a team environment and independently. You may be asked to lead recess classes on your own or with a co-coach, so you should be adaptable to different class structures.
Act as a Kids in the Game ambassador and communicate efficiently with the People & Culture and Program Management team to stay informed about program updates.
Be a positive and influential role model for the children you work with and contribute meaningfully to the school culture while you are at the school.
Up-to-date physical and tuberculosis test documentation will be required before starting.
You must pass Federal and NY State background checks and be willing to complete Department of Education fingerprinting before starting.

Nice To Haves

Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or advanced educational degree in physical education is highly preferred.
Possess at least two years of experience leading physical education and fitness classes in school-based settings.
CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

Organize and lead structured games, sports, and active play opportunities during recess periods.
Work effectively with your co-coach(es) on a daily basis to run recess periods of 20-25 minutes for groups of 40-80 children in collaboration with school aides who are present during recess periods
Encourage participation in structured game play areas with different game stations available, promoting physical activity for all students. Coaches must be able to set up and lead games in various stations.
Adapt games and sports to meet varying age groups and skill levels, plus in different spaces and weather conditions. Coaches will be expected to be outside for recess during the fall and winter, even with cold weather. Kids in the Game provides recess jackets for those seasons Schools will make a call for when recess goes from outside to inside due to weather Coaches must be able to adapt to indoor recess schedules quickly and effectively. You will be expected to partner with school aides and teachers more during this time.
Promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play in all activities.
Build positive relationships with students, serving as a supportive and encouraging role model.
Foster an inclusive environment where all students feel welcome, safe, and valued.
Use positive reinforcement and proactive behavior management strategies to support social-emotional growth. Use positive language at all times when engaging with the students.
Actively supervise students during all recess periods to ensure safety and positive interactions.
Monitor and address conflicts appropriately, promoting problem-solving and respectful communication among students.
Maintain safe play spaces by inspecting equipment and play areas regularly.
Maintain awareness of emergency procedures and act quickly when needed.
Work closely with school staff to align recess programming with the school’s culture and behavioral expectations plus aligning with Kids in the Game standards
Communicate any student concerns, incidents, or equipment needs to site leadership.
Attend required trainings, team meetings, and performance check-ins.
Arrive prepared, on time, and ready to actively engage with youth. Lateness and absences will be tracked through our call out policy Excessive tardiness and absences could result in reduced schedules or more.
Be prepared in proper uniform for every day of program. Company shirt or sweater (log visible at all times) Sneakers / Close-Toed walking shoes No Crocs or sandals Athletic shorts or sweatpants
Uphold the organization’s mission and values both in and out of the program.
Demonstrate integrity, reliability, and a strong work ethic.