Typical Volunteer Positions
The IRC in San Diego has a robust volunteer program with many meaningful opportunities. The following is a description of some of our typical volunteer opportunities. Please note: not all positions are available at all times. Potential volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation, complete an interview, and go through a background check before being assigned to a position. Click here to learn more about the volunteer process.
Typical Volunteer Positions (Not all positions are available at all times)
Employment Department Intern
3 Month Commitment Monday-Friday 9-1:30 or 12:30-5 2 shifts/week
Employment Department Interns will assist with general job searches, research employers, and find new job leads. Help create resumes and cover letters for newly arrived refugees and assist with filling out job applications. Accompany clients on educational bus rides and take clients out to job searches. Help oversee our Job Training and Application Lab (JTAL) and participate in administrative/research projects as needed. We are seeking applicants with good people and computer skills. Applicant must be comfortable working with individuals of varying cultural backgrounds and English language ability. Experience with Microsoft Office programs and internet searches are highly recommended.
First Things First Adult ESL Teacher Assistant
4 Month Commitment Monday – Friday 12-3pm 6 hours/week
Assist ESL instructors in teaching refugee adults how to adapt to and become self-sufficient in American society. Help with group English language instruction and individual tutoring in a dynamic classroom setting. Actively participate in all classroom activities, model correct English usage for students and help create supplemental teaching materials. Volunteers must be reliable, willing to take initiative and anticipate students’ needs, and have patience in enthusiasm in helping students learn English. Cultural sensitivity is a must.
Students Plus Academic Tutor
4 Month Commitment Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 2:30-5, Wednesday 12:30-3 2 days/week
The Students Plus program provides after school tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, sports and arts based programming for students attending Crawford High School. We are seeking volunteers who are available at least twice per week to volunteer as either an ESL or homework tutor (math, science, history, etc), providing one-on-one assistance to students. We are seeking volunteers who are patient, able to work independently, reliable, and work well with people from other cultures. Tutors may also be interested in volunteering with extracurricular clubs.
Higher Learning Navigator Volunteer
4 Month Commitment Days and time are flexible 3-5 hours/week
The Higher Learning Navigator is a program designed to mentor refugee students attending local community colleges. Volunteers are required to meet weekly with their assigned student for a tutoring/advising session. Volunteers should be able to tutor in all subjects areas with an emphasis in essay composition, ESL, and remedial math. Duties also include assisting students with enrollment, financial aid, career counseling, and other on-campus activities or administrative issues. Volunteers will act as an important support system for first-generation college students.
Wellness Booth Intern
3 Month Commitment 2 days per week (Saturday 8-2 a MUST) 10 hours/week
The Wellness Booth educates children about food and nutrition through interaction and guided activities at the City Heights Farmers’ Market. This booth operates every week at the market. The intern candidate must be child oriented, embrace a multi- cultural, multi-lingual environment, and creatively design engaging and interactive games for children each week. We are seeking a volunteer who is enthusiastic; works well under little supervision; and is reliable. Bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali, Arabic, Swahili is a plus.
Immigration Department Front Desk Assistant
4 Month Commitment Monday – Friday 1-5pm, Tuesday & Friday 8:30-1 2 shifts/week
The Immigration Front Desk Assistant will provide administrative support to case managers and act as first person of contact to clients seeking immigration assistance. We are looking for applicants who are well-organized, detail-orientated, and professional, with excellent communication skills. Duties include but are not limited to: scheduling appointments, data entry, filing, making phone calls, directing clients, general reception tasks. Experience with a second language is preferred, specifically Arabic, Somali, Spanish or Vietnamese.
