Senior Center: Bilingual Spanish Ambassador & Greeter

Volunteer Position: Bilingual Spanish Ambassador

Location: Hillsboro Community Senior Center, City of Hillsboro, Oregon

Reports To: Senior Center Administrative Support Specialist, Berenice Melson

Position Overview

The Bilingual Spanish Ambassador serves as a welcoming and trusted resource for Spanish-speaking older adults, families, and community members visiting the Hillsboro Community Senior Center. This volunteer plays an important role in creating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment by helping reduce language barriers and ensuring visitors have access to programs, services, and information.

As one of the first points of contact, the Bilingual Spanish Ambassador greets visitors in both English and Spanish, assists with wayfinding, answers general questions, and helps connect community members with Senior Center staff and resources. This position supports the City of Hillsboro's commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and exceptional customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Welcome and Assist Visitors

• Greet visitors warmly in both English and Spanish.
• Help Spanish-speaking visitors feel comfortable and welcomed at the Senior Center.
• Provide general information about programs, classes, activities, meals, and special events.
• Assist visitors in locating rooms, activities, restrooms, and other areas within the facility.

Language Assistance

• Provide conversational interpretation between Spanish-speaking visitors and staff when appropriate.
• Help explain forms, flyers, schedules, and general Senior Center information.
• Assist visitors in understanding available services and community resources.
• Refer visitors to staff when questions involve confidential, legal, financial, or medical matters.

Community Engagement

• Build positive relationships with participants from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Encourage participation in Senior Center programs and activities.
• Help identify language access needs and communicate them to staff.
• Promote an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

Customer Service

• Answer general questions in English and Spanish with professionalism and courtesy.
• Assist with participant check-in for activities and special events.
• Help direct visitors to appropriate staff members or community partners.

Support Staff and Volunteers

• Communicate effectively with staff and fellow volunteers.
• Assist with distributing bilingual materials, event flyers, and informational resources.
• Help maintain an organized and welcoming reception area.

Support the City's Mission and Values

• Demonstrate respect, integrity, inclusion, and excellent customer service.
• Treat every visitor with dignity, patience, and compassion.
• Help ensure language is never a barrier to participating in Senior Center programs and services.

Qualifications

Language Skills

• Fluent in both English and Spanish (speaking, listening, and reading).
• Comfortable communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to explain information clearly and respectfully in both languages.

Experience

• Customer service, volunteer, community outreach, or interpretation experience is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with older adults is a plus.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Friendly, welcoming, and culturally responsive.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

Personal Qualities

• Passion for serving the community.
• Patient, dependable, and compassionate.
• Positive attitude and willingness to assist others.
• Respectful of individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to assist with light tasks such as distributing materials or setting up informational displays.

Benefits

• Make a meaningful difference by helping Spanish-speaking older adults access programs and services.
• Support language access and promote equity within the community.
• Gain experience in bilingual customer service, interpretation, and community engagement.
• Develop leadership and communication skills.
• Build meaningful relationships with community members and fellow volunteers.
• Enjoy flexible volunteer scheduling.