DescriptionTitle: 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
Volunteer Management & Support
Volunteer Retention
Playspace Quality & Shelter Support
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
QualificationsQualifications
Education & Experience
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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Proficient with the current Windows operating system, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams
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Passionate about advancing Horizons' mission and embodying core values of Collaboration, Inclusivity, Innovation, and Passion.
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Demonstrates core competencies that are critical to success across Horizons (Communication, Collaboration, Cultural Competency, Growth Mindset, and Mission-Driven Excellence).
