Linguistic Support Staff, Early Education

Horizons For Homeless Children; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury, MA is seeking a Part-Time Linguistic Support Staff for early education to translate and interpret for families and staff, promoting inclusive communication and equitable access.

You will work 25 hours per week in a classroom and office setting, providing cultural liaison services, supporting trauma-informed practices, and helping ensure materials reflect diverse backgrounds while maintaining confidentiality and collaboration with educators and families.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English and at least one additional language commonly spoken by families served.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Knowledge of family-centered and trauma-informed practices.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide oral and written translation and interpretation services for families, staff, and community partners.
• Attend meetings, conferences, family consultations, trainings, and events to facilitate effective communication between families and program staff.
• Translate program documents, newsletters, policies, family communications, enrollment materials, and educational resources.
• Ensure translations are culturally appropriate, accurate, and accessible.
• Classroom support as needed.
• Conduct child screening using the Battelle screener.
• Participate in team meetings and interdisciplinary planning discussions as needed.
• Support communication between families and program staff regarding services, resources, and child development.

Skills

English fluency

Additional language

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Trauma-informed care

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree preferred

Job description

Job DetailsLevel: EntryJob Location: Roxbury - Roxbury, MA 02119Position Type: Part TimeEducation Level: NoneSalary Range: $18.55 - $23.00 HourlyJob Shift: DayJob Category: Education

Title: Linguistic Support Staff, Early Education

Location: Roxbury, MA

Reports to: Operations Manager

Supervises: n/a

FLSA Class, status: Part-time, non-exempt

Salary Grade: Assistant

Starting Salary: $23/hour; 25 hours per week

Date Written: August 14, 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.

Summary of Position

The Part-Time Linguistic Support Staff promotes equitable access, family engagement, and inclusive communication within the early childhood education program. This position serves as a cultural liaison and language resource for children, families, and staff by providing translation and interpretation services supporting culturally responsive practices and helping ensure that program operations reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the community served.

This role supports the implementation of trauma-informed practices and contributes to a welcoming environment where all families feel respected, understood, and connected to program services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide oral and written translation and interpretation services for families, staff, and community partners.
• Attend meetings, conferences, family consultations, trainings, and events to facilitate effective communication between families and program staff.
• Translate program documents, newsletters, policies, family communications, enrollment materials, and educational resources.
• Ensure translations are culturally appropriate, accurate, and accessible.
• Classroom support as needed
• Conduct child screening using the Battelle screener
• Participate in team meetings and interdisciplinary planning discussions as needed.
• Support communication between families and program staff regarding services, resources, and child development.

Cultural Responsiveness and Family Engagement

• Serve as a cultural liaison between families and the program.
• Help staff understand cultural values, traditions, and practices that may influence children's learning and family engagement.
• Collaborate with educators to incorporate culturally responsive practices into classrooms and family programming.
• Build trusting relationships with families from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
• Support outreach efforts to engage historically underrepresented populations.

Trauma-Informed Practice Support

• Model and promote trauma-informed practices in all interactions with children, families, and staff.
• Support families with sensitivity, empathy, and respect for individual experiences.
• Help staff recognize the impact of trauma, stress, migration experiences, and cultural transitions on family engagement and child development.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow all program policies regarding family information.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain records of translation and interpretation services provided.
• Ensure translated materials remain current and aligned with program requirements.
• Support compliance with language access requirements and family engagement standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with recruiting and onboarding culturally and linguistically diverse families.
• Review program materials to ensure inclusivity and cultural relevance.
• Support staff professional development related to cultural competence, equity, and language access.
• Provide feedback regarding barriers that may impact family participation and access to services.
• Participate in community events and outreach activities representing the program.
• Collaborate with mental health, family engagement, and education staff to support positive outcomes for children and families.
• Stay informed about current best practices in cultural responsiveness, language access, diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Workspace

This is a 25-hour-a-week, part-time position. The work you will perform is active taking place in a classroom and office setting working alongside others. This includes collaboration with families, educators, specialists, and external agencies both in-person and virtually.

You can expect to work onsite 5 days a week (M-F). 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.

Commitment to our Workforce

Horizons is committed to fostering the well-being of our workforce who are tackling one of the nation’s toughest issues; family homelessness. We respect the unique perspectives and potential of each member of our team and believe that diversity of thought and perspective will not only sustain employee well-being but drive better outcomes for our families. Horizons’ leadership sets the tone and priority for this work. Visit our commitments page to learn more about what that looks like at Horizons.

As such, 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.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree preferred.
• Fluency in English and at least one additional language commonly spoken by families served by the program.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Knowledge of family-centered and trauma-informed practices.

Preferred

• Experience in early childhood education, family services, social services, or community engagement.
• Training in cultural responsiveness, interpretation, translation, or trauma-informed care.
• Experience facilitating workshops, family meetings, or community outreach activities.