Festa Friends Club Site Leader: Paid Internship
Festa 3-Generation Family ESL Program
“ESL has helped me a lot in learning and developing my language and integrating into society. The language is a means of understanding and communicating among people, so if we don’t know the language, we will be isolated. This program breaks this barrier completely. The ESL program helped me to get a job. At the same time, this program has helped me a lot by giving me an opportunity to learn without concern for my children because they are in the hands of the staff who take care of them. It is very noble work.” -Level 5 ESL student
Get an idea of what a day in the life of the Festa 3-Generation Family ESL Program looks like!
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
Since 2007, Festa is serving our neighbors and ending poverty through life-changing relationships. We are devoted to serving children and families facing suburban poverty through our flagship program: 3-Generation Family ESL. This unique, nationally recognized program welcomes families from 99 home countries and 40+ Ohio zip codes into one space where adults learn English while children receive homework help, social support, preschool and dinner. We serve more than 1,100 families annually, supporting them as they move from surviving to thriving.
The Site Leader is primarily responsible for overseeing children, staff, volunteers, and the operation of the Friends Club and Early Childhood academic and recreational enrichment program for Infant-8th grade children. The Site Leader will have experience managing groups of children, the ability to build positive relationships, maximize volunteer strengths and talents, manage behavior and conflict, and hold safety and fun as priorities. This is a fun and high energy, multicultural environment.
REPORTS TO: Programs Manager
HOURS: September 2026 – April/May 2027 (varies by program location)
- 8-10 hours per week including staff training, program nights and final wrap up.
- Schedule: 2 weekday evenings (8-10 hours per week), 5:15-9:15pm (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
COMPENSATION
Range is $17.00 - $19.00 an hour based on experience and qualifications. Position does not qualify for health insurance, paid sick time, vacation time, or mileage reimbursement.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience in Education, Social Work, Recreation, or similar background.
- Previous experience working with groups of children in any setting (camp, church, sports, job)
- Passion for multicultural children and enjoy working with children ages K-8th grade in an afterschool, fun, active gym setting (some outdoor time as well).
- Excellent leadership and organizational skills, including high comfort level with quick thinking/adjusting to the unexpected.
- Good communication and people skills with an ability to delegate to adults and teens and communicate with parents who are still learning the English language.
- An appreciation of and affinity for working with community volunteers.
- A passion for local mission work: a heart to minister to children and adults who are multicultural and socio-economically diverse, as well as with community volunteers.
- Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds and go up and down stairs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage all aspects of the Friends Club and Early Childhood Programs: supervise staff as they provide high quality programming, ensure the safety and well-being of children, steward site facilities and materials, and interact with parents, volunteers, and community members in a professional manner.
- Enforce health and safety regulations at all times.
- Oversee planning and implementation of FUN daily programming based on children’s interests (educational, recreational, arts/crafts etc.) appropriate for assigned age groups.
- Oversee and promote positive interactions onsite among children, staff, and volunteers; manage behavior issues and conflicts as they arise; meet the needs of individual children.
- Welcome, train, delegate to and supervise Teen Interns and adult volunteers.
- Communicate with families in person and by phone regarding upcoming activities, sharing information about their child and any other program details.
- Maintain confidential information shared by children, parents and other staff.
- Understand and support Festa’s mission and values in all aspects of the position.
- Delegate and ensure reliable completion of tasks to direct reports.
- Complete additional tasks as needed to support our vision/mission related to program operations.
- Communicate promptly with Festa Central Staff supervisor regarding any issues, concerns, or questions at the end of the program nightly.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Bachelor’s degree in education or similar background and experience
- Experience supervising staff, including assigning work, managing conflicts, and providing feedback on performance
- Previous experience working with groups of children in any setting (camp, church, other employment)
- Knowledge of child development with ability to develop lesson plans and manage groups of children
- An appreciation and affinity for working with community volunteers
- A passion for local mission work: a heart to minister to children and adults who are multicultural and socio-economically diverse, as well as with community volunteers.
- Attention to detail
- Ability to stand, run and move with agility
- Position ensures safety of children and will lead recreational games and move groups of children within the site
- Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds and go up and down stairs
- First Aid/CPR certification a plus or willingness to attend such classes
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Application Process
- Please complete Festa's application, shared once contacted.
- Position requires satisfactory completion of a criminal background check.
- Festa is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Types: Part-time, Temporary
Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
