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Apr 25, 2026

Sports & Fitness Program Assistant

Job Description

Job Title: Sports & Fitness Program Assistant
Reports to: Director of Operations and Recreations
FLSA Code: Part time, Non-exempt
Hours: Up to 28 hours/week; including weekends and evening hours
Program Area: Breakthrough Youth Network (BYN)
Location: FamilyPlex, 3219 W. Carroll, Chicago, IL 60624


POSITION SUMMARY
The Sports and Fitness Program Assistant will help operate high-quality, mission-driven athletic events as part of the Breakthrough Sports and Fitness Academy (BSFA), which currently serves approximately 1,000 school-aged youth through a range of fitness and athletic programs, from beginner to advanced levels.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS
  • Assist the Sports & Fitness Specialist in the management of community sports activities. This includes planning for activities, leading activities, preparing food, managing data collection like attendance and surveys, building healthy relationships with students, assuring a safe environment, communication with parents, solving conflicts during programming, coaching teams, organizing volunteers, managing equipment and uniforms, and program clean-up.
  • Supervise youth during travel team outings and field trips
  • Participate in BYN special events
  • Collaborate with other Program Assistants and interns
  • Support program operations through administrative duties like expense tracking, data management and social media coordination
  • Assist with student transportation and building clean-up when needed
  • Participate in special events, such as summer camps, awards nights, registration nights, and field trips
  • Participate in staff trainings and professional development
  • Perform other duties and tasks assigned

Demonstrated Values
  • Independently follows agency policy and procedures
  • Follows through with commitments including meeting established timelines
  • Identifies and resolves difficult issues
  • Project a professional image to all internal and external customers ensuring proper grooming
  • Promote customer care and hospitality through all actions and behaviors
  • A passion for the mission of Breakthrough

QUALIFICATIONS
  • High School diploma or equivalent OR a minimum of 1 year of experience serving urban communities working with youth, and/or managing sporting events.
  • Ability to demonstrate initiative and follow through and be comfortable working in a changing environment.
  • Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and problem-solving skills
  • Must possess an accurate and informed understanding of cultural and urban realities, especially as related to youth, poverty, and community development
  • Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable using computer programs to track participant engagement
  • Flexible and team oriented
  • Must demonstrate initiative and follow through, and be comfortable working in a dynamic environment
  • Must maintain a valid driver’s license (CDL preferred) along with daily access to a vehicle and acceptable driving record

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of program outcomes and deliverables
  • Must demonstrate solid knowledge in the fields of youth development and sports/fitness
  • Demonstrates willingness to consistently improve work performance through their relationship and guidance
  • Ability to relate well to and coordinate with the people being served, solve problems, communicate effectively, gather and analyze data and make concise, accurate reports, and recommendations
  • Must be able to develop and sustain relationships with external stakeholders
  • Ability to display a warm, supportive attitude toward all people
  • Ability and commitment to maintain a high level of confidentiality
  • Ability to develop strong relationships with diverse groups of citizens, who may have conflicting interests and opinions

SUPERVISION
  • Does not supervise employees
  • Direction received from the Director of Operations and Recreation

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a multi-purpose facility and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high depending on the activities in the facility.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and/or sit; use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; regularly talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, and lift as well as have an overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 50 pounds. Must adhere to proper handling and lifting techniques. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Equipment Used
The employee will generally use general office equipment including but not limited to telephone, computer, calculator, copier, overhead projector, paper shredder, paper cutter, and filing systems.

Safety Requirements
Prior to the first day of work, must complete a criminal background and sex offender clearance.

BENEFITS
  • Sick leave - Part-time employees in this position are eligible for 1 hour of sick pay for every 35 hours worked in a pay period. This leave can be used for medical and safety reasons
  • Paid leave - Part-time employees in this position are eligible for 1 hour of paid pay for every 35 hours worked in a pay period. This leave can be used for any reason
COMPENSATION
The actual salary within the range is determined by many factors including but not limited to skills, experience, education and internal equity.
$18-$19/hourly

Breakthrough is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. If a reasonable accommodation is needed for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact us at HR@breakthrough.org. The decision to grant reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

ID

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