Job Details

Management

Roxbury - Roxbury, MA

Full Time

4 Year Degree

$61,567.22 - $73,880.66 Salary

Day

Nonprofit - Social Services

Description

Title/Position: Playspace Program Manager

Location: Community Based

Reports to: Statewide Director of Playspace and Volunteers Services

FLSA Class: Full Time Exempt

Organization (Horizons) Description:

Horizons for Homeless Children is a local non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and helping their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. To support our mission, we also advocate on behalf of young children, train educators and human services providers, and provide research on the impact of early education on homeless 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, developmental 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 crucial for children’s development, PALs enable parents to participate in activities like parenting groups, budgeting classes or job searches.

Summary of Position:Playspace Program Manager Emergency Assistance

Manages Playspace Programs at shelter location statewide
Supervises a team of 3 Playspace Program Coordinators to ensure successful facilitation of volunteer shifts, and early childhood play experiences.
Facilitate the daily management of Playspace shifts at shelter-based programs.
Manage the process to place all trained volunteers in shelter shifts that reflect the needs of the shelters as well as the volunteers’ location preferences and availability. Follow up with both volunteers and shelters upon placement to ensure proper match. Utilize database system to maintain volunteer records.
Respond to all active volunteer communication within two business days. Address and follow-up with any volunteer-related concerns or, when needed, involve Program Director.
Track monthly and contact volunteers who have not signed into their shifts.
Support volunteers through sharing information on trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate activities for young children.
Assist with volunteer retention efforts. Attend shelter meetings and volunteer shifts when appropriate. Strengthen relationships with volunteers through regular communication and appreciation efforts to help foster volunteer retention.
Assist with volunteer training, volunteer events, activities, and workshops.
Ensures that all Playspaces are optimally equipped, meet design standards, and are operational.
Conduct regular organization and restocking of Playspaces, assist with the installation and opening of new Playspace.
Coordinate with Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator to ensure volunteer slots are represented in QuickBase and filled statewide
Manage data collection of child and volunteer attendance in QuickBase for ongoing funding support.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Education & experience

Qualifications:

BA degree
Experience managing staff and volunteers and community partnerships
Highly organized with proficiency in data entry experience
Comprehensive understanding of early childhood development
Experience working with at-risk populations preferred
Experience working with children and families experiencing homelessness preferred
Must be availability to travel statewide and work until 8pm two evenings as week

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Enthusiasm and creativity
Excellent communication and high-level organizational skills
Able to lift 50 lbs.
Ability to work flexible hours which will include weekday evenings and occasional weekends
Knowledge of current Windows operating system (Micro soft Word, Outlook, Excel)
Valid driver’s license and reliable car and availability to travel statewide occasionally.

Horizons for Homeless Children is committed to diversity and is an AA/EEO employer.

Horizons For Homeless Children jobs

Playspace Program Manager