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Play Coach Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ASPHALT GREEN INC

REP Play Coach

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$22/hr

Play Coaches lead games, support positive student interaction, encourage teamwork, and help create a safe, fun, and welcoming recess environment for students. This role is a strong fit for someone ...

ASPHALT GREEN INC

REP Play Coach

Manhattan, NY

$22/hr

Play Coaches lead games, support positive student interaction, encourage teamwork, and help create a safe, fun, and welcoming recess environment for students. This role is a strong fit for someone ...

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Play Coach information

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$10

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How much do play coach jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for play coach in the United States is $19.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a play coach typically collaborate with teachers and support staff in an educational setting?

Play Coaches often work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, and support staff to create a positive, inclusive playground environment. They may coordinate with educators to reinforce social and emotional learning goals during recess, share observations about student behavior, and help develop strategies for conflict resolution. Regular communication ensures that play-based interventions align with classroom objectives, fostering consistency for students. This collaborative approach helps address individual needs and promotes a safe, engaging space for all children.

What is the difference between Play Coach vs Play Therapist?

AspectPlay CoachPlay Therapist
CredentialsTypically requires training in play coaching or child development, but not necessarily a formal therapy qualificationRequires a recognized qualification in play therapy or counseling, often a master's degree
Work EnvironmentWorks in schools, community centers, or sports clubs focusing on play-based activitiesWorks in clinics, private practices, or hospitals providing therapeutic interventions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by educational and recreational organizations to support children's developmentUsed by mental health organizations, clinics, and private practices for mental health support

While both Play Coaches and Play Therapists work with children through play, Play Coaches focus on developmental and recreational activities without providing clinical therapy. Play Therapists are trained mental health professionals who use play as a therapeutic tool to address emotional and psychological issues.

What is a play coach?

Play Coaches are professionals who facilitate and guide play-based activities for children, typically in educational, recreational, or therapeutic settings. Their main role is to encourage creativity, social interaction, and physical activity through structured and unstructured play. Play Coaches often work in schools, sports clubs, community centers, or private organizations, helping children develop important life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. They design engaging activities tailored to different age groups and abilities, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all participants.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a play coach, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Play Coach, you need a background in child development, physical education, or a related field, often supported by experience in coaching or youth work. Familiarity with activity planning tools, risk assessment protocols, and sometimes first aid certification is typically required. Strong communication, creativity, and the ability to motivate and engage children are crucial soft skills. These skills ensure safe, enjoyable, and educational play experiences that support children's social, physical, and emotional development.

Do play coaches make good money?

Play coaches typically earn hourly wages or salaries that vary based on experience, location, and the setting, such as schools or community programs. Entry-level positions may pay minimum wage, while experienced coaches or those working in private or specialized programs can earn higher wages, sometimes supplemented with bonuses or stipends. Overall, pay is generally moderate and often considered a part-time or supplemental income role.
More about Play Coach jobs

What job categories do people searching Play Coach jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Play Coach jobs are:

Play Coach jobs near you
Infographic showing various Play Coach job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,970 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

REP Play Coach

ASPHALT GREEN INC

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$22/hr

Part-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

About Asphalt Green
Asphalt Green is a nonprofit organization that transforms lives and builds community through sports, fitness, and play for all.
Each year, Asphalt Green serves thousands of New Yorkers through sports, aquatics, fitness, camps, and community programs that promote health, personal growth, and lifelong participation in physical activity. Across three campuses and numerous community partnerships, Asphalt Green is committed to providing high-quality programs that are inclusive, accessible, and rooted in excellence.
Asphalt Green believes that access to movement, sport, and wellness can change lives. Our work helps young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and healthy habits that extend far beyond the playing field.
About the Role
Asphalt Green is hiring energetic, reliable, and experienced REP Play Coaches for the Recess Enhancement Program, also known as REP, for the 2026-2027 school year.
REP brings structured, inclusive, and active play to NYC public elementary schools during recess. Play Coaches lead games, support positive student interaction, encourage teamwork, and help create a safe, fun, and welcoming recess environment for students.
This role is a strong fit for someone who enjoys working with children, leading active games, being outdoors, and helping students build confidence, social skills, leadership, and positive conflict resolution through play.
Play Coaches must be reliable, punctual, professional, and comfortable traveling to school sites across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and/or The Bronx.
Why This Role Matters
Recess is more than a break in the school day. It is a space where students move, connect, build confidence, practice teamwork, and learn how to solve conflict in real time.
REP Play Coaches help make recess safer, more structured, more active, and more inclusive. By leading games and supporting positive student engagement, coaches help create an environment where elementary school students can play, participate, and feel included.
This role directly supports student wellness, social-emotional development, physical activity, leadership, teamwork, and school community.
What You'll Do
Recess Coaching and Active Play
  • Lead fun, structured recess games for elementary school students.
  • Introduce inclusive games that encourage movement, teamwork, and participation.
  • Help students understand game rules, take turns, and participate safely.
  • Encourage students of different ages, skill levels, and abilities to join in.
  • Support active play in outdoor schoolyard and recess environments.
  • Bring energy, enthusiasm, and structure to recess programming.

Student Support and Inclusion
  • Create a safe, welcoming, and engaging recess environment.
  • Support positive conflict resolution among students.
  • Help students build confidence, leadership, teamwork, and social skills through play.
  • Work with students of all abilities, including adaptive students and students with special needs.
  • Model positive communication, patience, respect, and encouragement.
  • Help students feel included, supported, and successful during recess.

School-Based Program Support
  • Travel to assigned NYC public school sites in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and/or The Bronx.
  • Arrive on time and prepared for assigned recess shifts.
  • Follow school site expectations, Asphalt Green standards, and REP program guidance.
  • Communicate professionally with REP leadership, school staff, students, and team members.
  • Attend required staff trainings and game-sharing sessions.
  • Participate in group interview activities, which may include demonstrating or leading a game.
  • Support a positive and professional school-based program environment.

What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means students are active, safe, included, and engaged during recess.
A successful REP Play Coach will:
  • Lead structured games with energy, confidence, and clarity.
  • Help students participate safely and respectfully.
  • Support positive conflict resolution during recess.
  • Create an inclusive environment for students of different ages, abilities, and comfort levels.
  • Show reliability, punctuality, and professionalism.
  • Communicate well with students, school staff, REP leadership, and team members.
  • Participate in trainings and apply REP game strategies at school sites.
  • Help make recess a positive, active, and joyful part of the school day.

Who You'll Work With
REP Play Coaches work closely with REP leadership, school staff, elementary school students, fellow coaches, and Asphalt Green Community Programs team members.
This role supports school-based programming across NYC public elementary schools in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx.
We are currently hiring coaches for schools in the following areas:
Brooklyn
  • Bed-Stuy
  • Bushwick
  • Canarsie
  • Clinton Hill
  • Crown Heights
  • Flatbush
  • Williamsburg

Manhattan
  • All areas of Manhattan

Queens
  • Astoria
  • Corona
  • East Elmhurst
  • Fresh Meadows
  • Jackson Heights
  • Jamaica
  • Rego Park

The Bronx
  • Fordham
  • University Heights
  • Kingsbridge Heights
  • Van Nest
  • Parkchester

Required Qualifications
You'll need:
  • Must be 18 years or older.
  • Availability Monday-Friday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
  • Ability to work up to 3 hours per day during the school year.
  • Ability to work from September 8, 2026 through June 2027.
  • Willingness and ability to travel to school sites across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and/or The Bronx.
  • Comfort working outdoors and leading active games.
  • Ability to lead groups of elementary school students in a safe, positive, and structured way.
  • Reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and strong follow-through.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Ability to complete DOE fingerprinting and background clearance through the PETS system.

Preferred Qualifications
It would be helpful if you also have:
  • Experience working with youth in schools, camps, athletics, after-school programs, recreation programs, or group settings.
  • Experience leading games, sports, physical activity, or group activities.
  • Experience working with elementary school students.
  • Experience supporting students with special needs or adaptive students.
  • Experience working in NYC public schools.
  • Experience working with at-risk youth or school-based community programs.
  • Strong leadership, patience, flexibility, and enthusiasm.
  • Bilingual or multilingual language skills.

Schedule and Work Environment
This is a part-time, seasonal, in-person role for the 2026-2027 school year.
The program runs from September 8, 2026 through June 2027. Candidates must be available Monday through Friday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, for up to 3 hours per day.
REP Play Coaches work at NYC public school sites across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx. Coaches must be willing and able to travel to assigned school locations.
The work environment includes outdoor schoolyards, playgrounds, recess spaces, gym areas, and other school-based activity spaces. This role requires comfort working outdoors and leading active games in a school environment.
Physical Requirements
This role may require the ability to:
  • Work outdoors in schoolyard and playground environments.
  • Stand, walk, run, bend, reach, and move actively during recess periods.
  • Lead, demonstrate, and participate in games and physical activities.
  • Communicate clearly in active outdoor environments.
  • Supervise groups of elementary school students during recess.
  • Remain alert and attentive during active play.
  • Travel to assigned school sites across NYC.
  • Work in varying weather conditions based on school and program needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Apply