Current opportunities
Citizenship and Immigration Intern (Remote)
Assist immigration staff in helping refugees, asylees and other immigrants apply for adjustment of status (green cards), United States citizenship, family petitions, reunification applications, work permits, travel documents, DACA renewals and other immigration benefits.
Refugee Youth Summer Academy Intern
In August 2021, the IRC in New Jersey will host a three-week summer program focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL) enrichment for refugee youth living in Elizabeth and Roselle, New Jersey. The Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) will serve up to 90 students ages 5 – 20, from at least 10 countries in six classes. Students will engage in ESL, creative arts, sports, field trips, and other activities. RYSA interns will work closely with the ESL Lead Teachers, clinical psychology doctoral students to reinforce English language learning and school preparation with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment.
Tax Screener Intern (Remote)
The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC’s Program Quality and Innovation Unit assists offices which help newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals reach self-sufficiency by finding entry-level employment and progress to living wage jobs; learn basic financial management skills and build assets; start small businesses; and access Earned Income Tax Credit. Under the supervision of the Tax Site Coordinator, Intern Tax Screeners will ensure that taxpayers have all the necessary information and documents required to complete a tax return. The program is offering services to clients in IRC offices located in Phoenix, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT, Denver, CO and Elizabeth, NJ. The IRC’s goal is to assist 4,000 taxpayers in preparing their returns in a safe, culturally and linguistically appropriate manner – remotely.
Intensive Case Management Intern (Remote)
The Intensive Case Management (ICM) program works one-on-one with clients to assess their needs and coordinate services accordingly. Work closely with ICM caseworker to address barriers to health and wellness for refugee and displaced clients with severe physical or mental health conditions, the elderly, LGBTQ+ clients, single-headed households, and victims of sexual assault and gender-based violence enrolled in the ICM program. ICM Interns will be responsible for checking in on the well-being of clients, providing comprehensive support when needed, and building clients’ self-sufficiency.
Volunteer Remote ESL Tutor
We are seeking volunteers to provide one-to-one ESL tutoring, simple English conversation practice, and teach small ESL groups remotely. (You can choose your preference.) The IRC will provide the curriculum, class instructions, and materials. Digital literacy classes are also available to build your technological confidence and share best practices.
Refugee Resettlement Intern (Remote)
Under the direction of the resettlement caseworkers, interns will provide direct services to newly arrived refugees and other immigrants. Possible activities include accompanying clients to appointments, assisting them to enroll in public benefits, and showing them how to navigate the New York City public transportation system. Interns will also be responsible for filing and ensuring documentation requirements. Fluency in a language other than English is a plus, but not required (Dari, Burmese, Arabic, or Spanish preferred). A minimum of 15 hours a week is required.
Refugee Cash Assistance Intern (Remote)
The RCA Intern assists clients enrolled in the RCA program. The intern may be assigned a group of clients for their caseload, and/or be prepared to assist clients on an as-needed basis.
Youth Summer Classroom Volunteers
Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA) Volunteers will work closely with the ESL Lead Teachers and clinical psychology doctoral students to reinforce English language learning and school preparation with refugee youth in a positive and healing classroom environment. RYSA volunteers must be flexible and comfortable using various methods for teaching English Language Learners with varied levels of education. Throughout their classroom activities, RYSA volunteers will be expected to contribute to the program’s goals of fostering students’ English competence and social-emotional development.
Volunteer process
Review our current available volunteer positions and choose 3 that best fit your interests, skills, and schedule.
Complete a volunteer application by following this link. You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator as needs arise for your chosen position.
After your application is reviewed, you may be selected for an interview.
Once the interview is confirmed and conducted, successful interviewees will complete the necessary background checks. To protect our clients, we require background checks for all our volunteers, and we ask volunteers to make a $49 donation to cover associated costs. Currently, 92% of our funding goes directly to our clients, and your help to cover this cost allows us to continue providing the best service possible. This step can add 1-2 weeks to the process, but is typically very fast.
Once cleared, you will attend a general orientation before training and scheduling the first day.