Fall 2024: Resettlement Administrative Intern (Unpaid)
Support newly arrived refugees with administrative tasks
Overview
Support newly arrived refugees with administrative tasks
You have:
- Must be currently enrolled student in an undergraduate or graduate degree program or graduated within one year, preferably studying fields such as Human Rights, International Relations, etc.
- 1+ years related work or volunteer experience with a non-profit strongly preferred.
- Excellent organization skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills, empathetic, and ability to effectively collaborate.
- Ability to lift 30+ pounds.
- Willingness to drive a moving van.
- A strong interest in working with a diverse, low-income population is required.
- Proactive, motivated and flexible; able to remain calm and adapt within a fast-paced work environment.
- English fluency required. Language skills a plus (Farsi/Dari, Kiswahili, Arabic, or Russian strongly preferred).
Job Description
*Please note: this is an unpaid internship. The in-person position is anticipated to start in August - September 2024.*
IRC SAN DIEGO BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 48 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.
SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: The Resettlement Administrative Intern will be instrumental in helping newly arrived refugees connect to appropriate services in San Diego via phone and email and support the Resettlement team with related administrative tasks. The Resettlement Department consists of two programs; Reception & Placement, and Afghan Integration Resettlement Services. Interns will work with both programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist Resettlement Caseworkers and clients by scheduling appointments with the DMV, health check-ups, legal consultations, school enrollments, etc. - Help prepare and process casefiles for caseworkers and new clients. - Assist Resettlement Caseworkers in coordinating airport pickups for newly arriving refugee families. - Help clients enroll in services. - Develop guides and learning materials for client use (examples: healthcare navigation, food banks, local community guides, etc.)
- Organize long-term projects or resources that will benefit the livelihoods of refugee clients. - Provide ongoing office support for the Resettlement department including preparing case files, writing and emailing on behalf of clients, maintaining supplies, and welcoming guests.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Learn about the core Services that Resettlement Agencies provide to refugees.
2. Be able to develop service plans and identify the essential steps of setting up new refugee families for success in San Diego.
3. Gain familiarity with the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
4. Learn about the refugee population in San Diego.
5. Gain an understanding of the organization and administration of an international non-profit though hands-on experience at the local office level.
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be currently enrolled student in an undergraduate or graduate degree program or graduated within one year, preferably studying fields such as Human Rights, International Relations, etc. - 1+ years related work or volunteer experience with a non-profit strongly preferred. - Must be a self-starter, enthusiastic, and possess a positive attitude. - Excellent organization skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills, empathetic, and ability to effectively collaborate. - Ability to lift 30+ pounds. - Willingness to drive a moving van. - A strong interest in working with a diverse, low-income population is required. - Proactive, motivated and flexible; able to remain calm and adapt within a fast-paced work environment. - English fluency required. Language skills a plus (Farsi/Dari, Kiswahili, Arabic, or Russian strongly preferred).
This position reports to the Resettlement Supervisor and the Volunteer & Donations Specialist.
Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.
Working Environment:
- The Resettlement Administrative Internship is in-person at the San Diego office. - San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours based on this window of availability. - Preferred schedule is 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at least two days a week.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you had to organize multiple tasks or deadlines? | This question assesses your organizational skills and ability to multitask. | Provide a specific example highlighting the steps you took to manage the tasks. |
| How would you approach a challenging interaction with a client from a diverse background? | Interviewer wants to understand your communication and interpersonal skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What interests you most about working with refugees? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you had to adapt quickly to changes in a work environment. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of a project you worked on that required teamwork? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |