Kids in the Game·New York
Organize and lead structured sports and active play activities for Pre-K through middle school students across various Brooklyn school sites. Coordinate with school staff and the management team to provide flexible substitute coverage for recess periods.
JOIN OUR NETWORK OF REGIONAL 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 PE teacher or stronger coach, or already have an educational background in physical education and sports management, this role is for you!
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. 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 November 2026 through June 2027. 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.
Show understanding and support for each child’s unique needs and emotions.
Be dependable and deliver consistent, high-quality programming.
Strive to continuously improve as a coach and inspire youth to set and achieve personal goals.
Ensure every child, regardless of ability or background, feels welcomed and valued WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Our regional subs would be responsible for working 3-5 days per week, preferably between 9:00am-2pm. They would be assigned to “home base” locations for a recess site in the morning within their designated region. We are actively recruiting coaches who can commute to multiple Brooklyn neighborhoods. If there is a coach absent at another program, the Regional Sub will be reassigned to cover their recess programs within their region (Brooklyn). Regional subs would be working closely with our Program Management Team and Scheduling Manager to ensure available shifts are covered, and the on-site expectations at each location are met for the program type. Regional Subs would implement a series of age-appropriate group games and activities across programs for children and young adults from Pre-K to middle school. Typically, our coaches work anywhere from 2-5 days and 10-20 hours per week (depending on availability and skill set) at a competitive hourly rate.
Position
Responsibilities: Commit to a weekly schedule of recess at assigned schools located in Brooklyn. Ability to receive day-of communications by text and /or phone call to cover immediate subbing needs and shift coverages Recess coaches can expect advance notice of 1-3 hours for schedule changes between the hours of 7:30am-9:00am. Advance notice is always preferable, but when call-outs happen, we will need Regional Subs to be flexible and commit to these immediate schedule changes. Demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills to respond quickly to our scheduling team and stay flexible with scheduling changes. Travel within two boroughs each day to support different programs and lead sports / fitness activities. Programming & Facilitation Organize and lead structured games, sports, and active play opportunities during recess periods.
Recess
Style games: switch, four corners, fireball, wizardball, soccer, basketball, etc 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 You should expect to see 4-6 recess groups per day broken down into age levels 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. Engagement & Relationship Building 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. Safety & Supervision 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. Collaboration & Communication 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. Professionalism & Representation 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.
This is a part-time, hourly position. We offer competitive hourly rates in the range of $23-$25 / hour for Regional Substitute Coaches based on prior experience as a general coach, teacher, youth development specialist, or activity specialist. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO LOVE ABOUT YOU
Our ideal coach would meet some or all of the following qualifications: Experience coaching or teaching groups of elementary and/or middle school children. Possess at least two years of prior coaching or teaching experience in summer camps, recess, PE, or after school. Possess strong interpersonal skills to relate to younger children, work with different age groups, and partner with school staff to support children’s physical and emotional needs. Be available to work Monday - Friday during recess hours (10am-2pm) to teach lessons and facilitate group games with a variety of students. Able to reliably commute to multiple locations across Brooklyn and be flexible with schedule changes. 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 prior to starting. CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications are a plus. Physical Requirements & Active Coaching Expectations At Kids in the Game, our coaches are active, engaged, and present with kids—on the playground, in the gym, and out in the community. The physical requirements below reflect the essential functions of our coaching roles and the dynamic environments in which our programs take place. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in performing these essential functions. Physical activity levels may vary by coaching placement (recess, PE, after school, or summer camp), but all roles involve active supervision, movement, and hands-on engagement with children.
Active supervision & physical requirements include: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time, including during outdoor activities, playground supervision, gym classes, or park-based programming. Ability to walk to and from nearby program locations or parks, sometimes several blocks, while supervising children. Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and reach to engage with children at their level, assist with activities, or provide support as needed. Ability to climb stairs in school buildings or community facilities. Ability to lift and carry up to 25–40 pounds, including sports equipment, activity supplies, or personal belongings (weight may vary by role). Ability to participate in active games and movement-based activities, including running, jumping, throwing, and demonstrating basic sports skills. Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, or light rain, depending on program needs. Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness to supervise children effectively and ensure safety in active environments. 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.
Candidates should have at least two years of experience coaching or teaching children and the ability to commute to multiple Brooklyn locations. Must pass federal and state background checks and provide up-to-date physical and tuberculosis test documentation.
Diversity,
Equity, and
Inclusion: We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment for all of our employees. We recruit employees 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.
Market context
In New York, roles supporting youth programs and school-age services often see steady demand because organizations need reliable staff who can communicate well with children and teens. These positions are competitive when candidates show professionalism, patience, and flexibility, especially with youth ages 6–18. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then tailor your application to highlight any experience working with young people and your availability.