The IRC’s US offices offer a variety of unpaid internship opportunities throughout the year. Prospective interns should be currently enrolled in an educational institution or within 6 months of graduation and are required to submit an application and resume. For more information, contact VolunteerTucson [at] rescue.org (subject: Volunteering%20in%20Tuscon) .
Internships at the International Rescue Committee in Tucson provide college students and recent graduates with opportunities to gain professional experiences and exposure to different fields. Interns learn to work in a multi-cultural environment, build professional networks within the community, and cultivate adaptability and creativity in a dynamic world.
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Internship Process
Internship Positions
Most of the applications for summer internships have been closed. We are still looking for interns for one position. Please see below for more details.
Internship Process
Application Steps:
This is an unpaid internship but course credit is often available.
- Get to know the IRC in Tucson and learn more about how you can be involved. To see a list of current internship openings, please see the position descriptions below. For specific questions, email us at VolunteerTucson [at] rescue.org (subject: Internship%20Info%20Request)
- Apply online. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Interview with the Volunteer Coordinator and Department Supervisor
- Receive offer and accept--conditional on background and reference checks
- Clearance checks and criminal history disclosures
- Apply for a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Volunteer Coordinator will work with you and the supervisor to schedule your first day.
- Attend an orientation and training session to learn about office policies, confidentiality, and communication guidelines. You are also expected to make all efforts to participate in ongoing training opportunities.
Commitment
During in-office periods, the IRC expects all interns to work 20-25 hrs/wk for 10 weeks during Summer, and 10-15 hrs/wk for 14 weeks during Fall/Spring (when classes are in-session). All internships take place during business hours (8 am to 5pm Mon-Fri) unless otherwise noted on the position description. More stringent requirements for availability or commitment may be additionally listed for certain roles. Examples: 3 full days, must be available Mondays and Fridays from 10am-3pm.
Interns must be at least 18 years of age, be able to pass a criminal history check, and have authorization to work.
Intern Application Deadlines
- Summer Interns: April 15th
- Fall Interns: July 15th
- Spring Interns: December 15th
Please note that some internship opportunities have been closed early due to high volumes of applicants.
Additional applications for some positions are accepted on a rolling basis.
Students seeking to receive college course credit for their internship are advised to apply earlier.
REMOTE WORK TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:
Interns will be required to use their own technology tools to work on virtual opportunities. IRC is not responsible for any personal device expenses such as personal smartphones, tablets, hotspots, data charges, etc.
All personal devices must:
- Be kept current with all operating system updates and security patches,
- Use a password or PIN with a minimum of 4 characters to log onto smartphones and tablets and 8 alpha and numeric characters for a Laptop.
- Have lock screen set to 10 minutes or less with a password required to unlock the device
- Configurations must be set to delete all data or lock after 10 unsuccessful attempts to enter a password or PIN. Lockout period must be no less than 30 minutes.
Additional policy details will be discussed during orientation and training.
MODIFICATIONS DUE TO COVID-19
While we continue to support our Tucson community through this crisis, we are also in a state of variability regarding our intern program. Thankfully, we are also very flexible. Please continue to apply as normal through our webpage here, as interviews and initial onboarding for summer interns will be conducted through virtual means, and see the below modifications to our intern policy:
Remote Work Period - March 2020 to TBD
Until further notice onboarding, training, and remote work will occur virtually as available, in some cases limited to 5 hrs/wk but may be up to 20 hrs/wk depending on role.
In-office/Field-work Period - TBD
When in-office intern work resumes, it will include further training and field activities; some remote hours may continue.
Contact VolunteerTucson [at] rescue.org (subject: Internship%20Inquiry) for the most recent dates and policies.
Internship Positions
Immigration Services Intern
*This is an unpaid internship.
OVERVIEW:
Immigration Services Interns and Fellows work with the Immigration Program Manager to directly assist clients with the processing and filing of applications for family reunification, lawful permanent residence, affidavits of relationship, and other immigration petitions necessary to receive legal residency in the United States and reunite family members. Interns and Fellows may also contribute to marketing and community education strategies which raise awareness about IRC immigration services.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Set-up and conduct intake and immigration interviews with assistance from an interpreter and immigration staff.
- Prepare and complete immigration applications and petitions on behalf of refugees, asylees, and immigrants for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Conduct follow-up, including written and telephone communication with USCIS and respond to requests for further evidence and inquiries.
- Maintain case files by copying, faxing, and inputting information in immigration case management database.
- Notify clients of USCIS interviews; ensure they have immunization records, photos, and other required documents complete and available for the interview.
- Assist the Director to complete Affidavits of Relationship for family reunification; manage case files and client communication.
- Conduct community outreach to refugee and immigrant population.
- Assist with projects and administrative duties as assigned by the Immigration Program Manager.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Prospective interns should be currently enrolled in an educational institution or within 6 months of graduation.
- Must be able to commute to the office for in-person work in the event that the office reopens and in-person
- Strong desire to learn about refugee resettlement and immigration issues
- Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client information.
- Proficiency in another language is strongly preferred.
- Excellent time management skills, organized and attentive to detail
- Strong intercultural communication skills; demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from other cultural background
- Technology requirements:
- Interns will be required to use their own technology tools to work on virtual opportunities.
- IRC is not responsible for any personal device expenses such as personal smartphones, tablets, hotspots, data charges, etc.
- All personal devices must:
- Be kept current with all operating system updates and security patches,
- Use a password or PIN with a minimum of 4 characters to log onto smartphones and tablets and 8 alpha and numeric characters for a Laptop.
- Have lock screen set to 10 minutes or less with a password required to unlock the device
- Configurations must be set to delete all data or lock after 10 unsuccessful attempts to enter a password or PIN. Lockout period must be no less than 30 minutes.
- Additional policy details will be discussed during orientation and training.
CLEARANCES:
All offers are contingent on successfully passing background and criminal history checks as required by federal and state law or by IRC policy.
COMMITMENT:
- SUMMER: Minimum 20 hrs/wk for 3 months and prefer to commit to 3 full business days
- FALL/SPRING: Minimum 10 hrs/wk for 4 months and prefer to commit to 2 full business days
- Primary availability during IRC business hours (M-F; 8:30am-5:00pm)
- Applicants who are able to commit to summer and fall are strongly preferred
IN-OFFICE AND REMOTE ACTIVITIES:
In-office activity we estimate to resume sometime in 2021, but this is subject to change. During in-office periods, the IRC expects all interns to work 20-25 hrs/wk during Summer, and 10-15 hrs/wk during Fall/Spring (when classes are in-session). More stringent requirements for availability or commitment may be additionally listed for certain roles (see above). Examples: 3 full days, must be available Mondays and Fridays from 10am-3pm.
Remote onboarding and activities will begin prior to in-office activity and will be agreed between you, your supervisor, and the Volunteer Coordinator. The number of hours available and required may be reduced during remote-working periods.
Reports To: Alejandra Encinas Garcia