Title: Playspace Specialist
Location: Roxbury, MA
Reports to: Senior Manager of Playspace
Supervises: NA
Status, FLSA Class: Full-time Exempt
Date Revised: January 2026
Our Mission
Horizons for Homeless Children is a Boston-based non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. We help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. Our advocacy efforts extend our impact and advance our vision of ending homelessness among families with young children.
The Playspace Program is based on the belief that play is essential for child development. Our Playspace Program ensures that children living in homeless shelters in Massachusetts have the opportunity for developmentally appropriate play. We build age-appropriate, child-friendly, and educational Playspaces in shelters and stock them with books, developmentally appropriate toys, and art supplies. Playspaces are staffed by trained volunteers, called Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs), who commit two hours weekly for at least six months. In addition to facilitating the play that is crucial for children’s development, PALs enable parents to participate in activities such as parenting groups, budgeting classes, or job searches.
Summary of Position
The Playspace Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting regional operations by managing a network of volunteers. This full-time position involves maintaining accurate volunteer records, overseeing the upkeep and restocking of Playspaces, and ensuring these environments are developmentally appropriate and trauma informed. The Specialist also educates volunteers on interacting with young children who have experienced homelessness, responds swiftly to all related correspondence, and ensures that volunteer shifts function smoothly. The role includes working on-site in the office, on-site in shelters, and working from home.
Responsibilities
Volunteer Placement & Records
Place trained volunteers into shelter shifts based on shelter needs, volunteer availability, and location preferences
Conduct post-placement follow-ups with volunteers and shelter partners
Maintain accurate and up-to-date volunteer records in the database
Volunteer Management & Support
Oversee daily Playspace shift operations and address immediate issues
Facilitate PAL trainings, Parent Community Meetings, and PAL Community Meetings
Respond to volunteer communications within 24-48 hours
Track monthly attendance and follow up on missed shifts
Address volunteer concerns and escalate issues as needed
Conduct 4–6 monthly site visits to support volunteers and ensure smooth operations
Provide resources on trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate practices
Volunteer Retention
Support retention efforts through regular communication, appreciation, and engagement
Attend shelter meetings and volunteer shifts as appropriate
Assist and/or lead volunteer trainings, events, and workshops
Playspace Quality & Shelter Support
Support the Senior Manager of Playspace in maintaining high-quality, fully stocked Playspaces
Organize, restock, and assist with installation and opening of new Playspaces
Build and maintain strong relationships with shelter liaisons to support daily operations
Workspace
This is a 40-hour-a-week, full-time position. The work you will perform is somewhat active, taking place at desk, in an office setting working alongside others. You will also travel to the shelters in your region that you supervise. This position requires a driver’s license as well as a dependable vehicle.
You can expect to work onsite 3 days in the office, 1 day traveling to shelters and 1 remote (working from home) day. There will be occasional evening or weekend events with advanced planning and notice. There is a large staff room with indoor and outdoor space for breaks as well as a designated quiet room. Our beautiful office space is located: Edgerley Family Horizons Center at 1785 Columbus Ave, Roxbury, MA.
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local and company policy concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, Background record check and health and safety training.
Wellbeing and Belonging
The equitable world has always been at the center of Horizons’ mission, but in the last several years we’ve recommitted to the role Horizons plays in rectifying some of the problems we see and wish to address. Visit our Commitment to Workforce DEI page to learn more about what that looks like at Horizons for Homeless Children.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
For more information about Horizons, please visit horizonschildren.org.
Starting salary range, compensation, and benefits
$62,000-$66,499 is the starting salary range for this specialist role. Your starting salary will fall within that range depending on your competencies, experience, and skillset.
Your total compensation package includes the following benefits:
Health coverage options designed to be as comprehensive and affordable for you as possible, with Horizons covering between 70-75% of premiums (a value that ranges from an additional $10,000 –30,000 per year based on your enrollment choices).
While you have a choice between an HMO and PPO plan for medical coverage, most employees pay $117.77 for individual, $235.54 for 2-person, or $370.44 for family coverage per biweekly paycheck and never pay more than $300 for individual or $600 for 2-person/family toward deductibles.
Visit The Benefits of Working at Horizons for more details on the rest of our benefits package
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree required.
At least 2 to 4 years of relevant professional experience in managing a volunteer network.
Data entry experience.
Understanding of child development for ages 0-6.
Experience with at-risk populations, especially children experiencing homelessness, is advantageous.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese is beneficial.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Excellent communication and organizational abilities.
Proficient in coordinating work across teams or stakeholders, emphasizing effective project management and task management.
Demonstrated ability to use critical thinking and analytical skills for solving problems and making well-informed decisions.
Skilled in collaborative projects, ensuring clear communication to maintain team alignment and achieve successful outcomes.
Strong professional reliability, with a proven track record of building trust and credibility within the organization.
Proficient with the current Windows operating system, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams
Possesses a valid driver’s license and has access to a reliable vehicle.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Flexible to work additional hours, including 2 weekday evenings.
Passionate about advancing Horizons' mission and embodying core values of Collaboration, Inclusivity, Innovation, and Passion.
Demonstrates core competencies that are critical to success across Horizons (Communication, Collaboration, Cultural Competency, Growth Mindset, and Mission-Driven Excellence).
