Position Title: Project Manager/Community Playground Build Manager
Department: Programs
Reports To: Director of Project Management
Classification: Salary
About KABOOM!: KABOOM! works nationally to achieve playspace equity: where every kid has access to high-quality playspaces. We do this by amplifying the power of communities to build inspiring play spaces that spark unlimited opportunities for every kid, everywhere. We believe that the right to play is a social justice issue and that systemic and structural racism has created a gap in access to play for communities of color. Therefore, we center racial equity in pursuit of playspace equity. We know that creating equitable access to play opportunities requires cross-sector partnerships and systems-level solutions, and we are driven to lead this collaboration.
About the Project Management Team: The Project Management Team partners with communities to design, plan and build a playground through a community mobilization effort. KABOOM! and community members will work together for three months to: engage kids in the playground design, form a planning committee, and to host a 3-day, volunteer playground installation event, engaging 150-200 volunteers.
Position Summary: The Programs Team is looking for an organized, engaging, and community-focused critical thinker to lead the execution of KABOOM! community-build projects. Each project culminates in a transformative volunteer experience that brings communities together to create positive change. This position participates in cross-team collaboration in preparation for playground projects and reports to the Director of Project Management. The PM works with vendors, professional installation teams, community organizations, funding partners, and community & corporate volunteers to complete playspace projects on time and within budget.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Community-led Design
- Facilitate an engaging community-driven design process where diverse ideas are sought, encouraged, and integrated into the playground design.
- Conduct a site walk to assess the future playground location, take measurements, outline site preparation requirements, and solve logistical challenges.
- Lead an interactive and fun design session for 20-30 kids where they design their dream playground and an engaging adult’s meeting where community members share their feedback and priorities for the design.
- Facilitate a planning session with community members, organization staff, and the funding sponsor to launch a collaborative planning phase in preparation for the 3-day build.
- Work with manufacturing partners to ensure the playspace design meets the goals of the community and kids
Project Planning
- Facilitate weekly planning calls to coordinate project execution requirements: volunteers, food, tools, etc.
- Manage construction and logistics to ensure smooth project facilitation and a great volunteer experience.
- Work with vendors to order all materials, confirm designs, and schedule deliveries.
- Develop and document installation plan by coordinating with the installation supervisor, community partner, and key project
- Manage construction budget.
- Prepare timely closing documentation.
Construction Site and Event Leadership
Lead engaging 3-day playground installation event from start to finish.
- Coordinate and assist subcontractors, staff, volunteers, and partner-staff labor to install the playground and site amenities. Create detailed and well-communicated plans and demonstrate excellent critical thinking skills which results in a positive experience for volunteers and partners.
- Monitor the job site to ensure needed materials and tools are available. Maintain an organized, safe, and efficient site.
- Conduct on-site volunteer training for small and large groups.
- Work with the Installation Supervisors to ensure the playground instillation is accurate and on schedule. Conduct checklist walkthrough prior leaving the site.
- Ensure the safety of all volunteers and staff on site.
- Leverage volunteers and organization staff to manage logistics, including volunteer registration, meal service, and music.
- Create a fun and organized atmosphere by leading kickoff, midday, and closing announcements.
- If applicable, coordinate the completion of post-build action steps needed for the playground within approved timelines.
Additional Responsibilities
- Maintain relationships with facilities leads on municipal entities and child-serving nonprofits.
- As-needed, support to the Programs team, including but not limited to managing vendor relations, developing, and refining policies and procedures, maintaining project management supplies, overseeing team training, and other work to meet team
- Support the community partner and Outreach Manager in developing post-build programming and long-term site maintenance.
Education and Experience Required:
Skills Required:
- Volunteer management and/or event management.
- Minimum of two years in Project or Event Management experience; preferred, but not required, in the fields of Construction or Recreation
- Ability to facilitate a participatory design process to redesign a space to meet the needs of a particular community through listening to, uplifting, and guiding community voices.
- Creative thinking and ability to proactively solve challenges and achieve outcomes.
- Confidence in navigating and leading others through ambiguity, changing timelines, or circumstances.
- Ability to manage multiple projects at once.
- Flexibility to travel a significant amount of the year, up to 60% of the year. US based travel, rarely Canada
- Excellent oral communication skills with strong attention to detail.
Preferred Skills:
- Ability to communicate in a language other than English, particularly Spanish.
Additional Requirements:
Individual has the ability and willingness to build relationships across differences and discuss issues of structural and institutional racism.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Team– “Ability to maintain acceptable standards of conduct and work cooperatively as an effective team member of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Communicates with others, sits, or moves about the office to coordinate work and uses a computer as well as other office equipment as needed. In addition, must be able to travel independently, leading events with extended hours of moving about in various weather conditions and in some circumstances, able to lift or move objects unassisted up to 30 pounds with the ability to operate basic hand tools.”
Note: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
| This job description does not constitute an employee agreement between the employer and the employee; this description is subject to change by the employer as the needs and requirements of the position change. |
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