Playgroup Leader

Found in Translation was founded in 2011 in order to create opportunities at the intersection of two social problems: health access disparities and economic inequality across race, gender, and ethnicity. Our Medical Interpreter Certificate training and job placement program supports our two-fold mission:

• To give low-income bilingual women an opportunity to achieve economic security through the use of their language skills
• To unleash bilingual talent into the workforce to fight racial, ethnic, and linguistic disparities in health care

Summary:

We are seeking an energetic and enthusiastic playgroup leader to supervise young children (1-12) years and oversee the volunteer program. Playgroup leaders ensure a fun, safe environment while their mothers are taking part in classes or other Found in Translation events.

The playgroup leader along with volunteers will engage with children of students participating in our weekly medical interpreter training taking place on Thursday evenings between January-June 2026. The class schedule includes breaks throughout the program cycle, so there will be weeks when class is not in session. The playgroup leader will also engage with children during other Found in Translation events, such as continuing education seminars or program celebrations, which will also take place during other weekday evenings. Playgroup leaders are expected to also oversee and coordinate with their volunteer teammates in engaging with the children and ensure all protocols are being followed.

The ideal candidate will be extremely responsible, independent, warm, friendly, culturally sensitive, and have experience working with children. S/he will work in pairs with at least one volunteer for a group of 4-10 children per shift. Responsibilities include playing games, helping with homework, and enforcing all safety rules. It is advantageous to be adaptable, creative, and comfortable with a wide range of children's needs and personalities.

Playgroup leaders and volunteers will play a crucial role in the success of each Found in Translation student as they work towards furthering their interpreting education. Members of the Found in Translation community are extremely grateful for the significant contribution of our leaders and volunteer teammates.

Key responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison for volunteers, which includes coordinating volunteer attendance to ensure adequate staffing and playgroup sessions that will foster a nurturing, safe, fun environment for the children.
• Be conscientious of any safety concerns that arise over the course of the training.
• Build trust with children by having an open, welcoming demeanor; having good judgment when addressing delicate topics; being generous with undivided attention, stories, and activities; being willing to give constructive positive or negative feedback; and maintaining strict confidentiality of any personal information disclosed by the children.
• Report any serious concerns about the children (behavioral, emotional, health-related, etc.) to members of the Found in Translation Success Coaching team.
• Work with members of the Success Coaching team to recruit and oversee the coordination of the volunteer playgroup network.
• Be responsive and available by phone or email during the week in case of emergency cancellations to ensure playgroup coverage for classes and other Found in Translation events.
• Build community presence and visibility by serving as an enthusiastic ambassador and spokesperson for the organization.

Qualifications and Attributes:

• A genuine resonance with and commitment to our mission, and a good fit with our organizational culture.
• Willingness to undergo Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background checks as well as any necessary training to ensure safety of the children and participants
• Capacity for the patience, sensitivity, and creativity necessary to maintain a safe and fun childcare environment.
• Prior experience working with children.
• Preferred but not required: prior experience working with diverse, multicultural, or low-income youth; formal early childcare education or professional childcare experience; emergency or first-aid training (Found in Translation accepts no liability for accidents that occur on-site).

English - fluent, any fluency in a second language is a bonus!