Current opportunities

How to become an IRC volunteer

The International Rescue Committee Arizona (IRC Arizona) serves people with many different life experiences, including refugees, asylum-seekers, survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes, and other vulnerable people. IRC Arizona depends on volunteers to complement staff in providing comprehensive services for clients.  To ensure the safety of clients and comply with grant and contractual obligations, guidelines have been established for volunteer engagement based on supervision and access to confidential information.

The following displays the required clearances for each tier of positions. The Volunteer Coordinator will inform the applicant of the level of clearance needed. Please do not allow the cost to be a deterrent to your service.   

 

Volunteers serving clients without staff present and all Interns. 

Background Check ($20)

Fingerprint Clearance Card ($73)

Central Registry (Free)

 

Volunteers serving clients with staff present

Background Check ($20)

Central Registry (Free)

 

Welcome Center Volunteers in the Children’s Area (Phoenix only)

Background Check ($20)

Fingerprint Clearance Card ($73)

 

Welcome Center Kitchen, Intake, Reception, Transportation, Medical, Donations Room, and Pride Team Volunteers (Phoenix only) 

Background Check ($20)

 

One-Time Volunteers (garden days, events, etc.) 

One-time Volunteers generally serve at events and have very limited or no interaction with clients. Therefore, they only require a signed one-time volunteer waiver. 

 

Why are volunteers asked to pay for their own background clearances? We sincerely hope that the cost is not a barrier. As a nonprofit with limited resources, it is our intention to utilize these resources for the needs of refugee clients. We have found that most volunteers understand and are willing to pay for these costs. The Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card is valid for 6 years and remains with you. If you cannot pay for the cost of the clearance card or other background checks, please let us know. A position that does not require certain clearances might be found. Please discuss with the Volunteer Coordinator during your interview.

Volunteer process

  1. Complete an application: When you are ready to join the IRC as a volunteer or intern, complete the Volunteer application. When completing the application, please provide specific information regarding your interests and availability and provide email addresses and local phone numbers for your references. Once the application is complete, it’ll be passed to the corresponding staff member for their approval, moving your application to the next step. Internship applicants should additionally submit a resume with their completed application.

  2. Interview: Complete an interview with the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator and staff that correspond to the position to further discuss the details of the opportunity and determine whether it is the most ideal fit.

  3. Position determination: The Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator will contact you to suggest a placement that meets your skills, interests, and availability, as well as the needs of the IRC in Phoenix and the population we serve.

  4. Complete a background check: Once you complete an interview and agree to a suggested position, the IRC will conduct a background check through HireRight, our third-party background check provider. Applications will receive an email with a link to enter their sensitive information and once cleared, will be contacted to schedule a start date. The IRC in Phoenix respectfully requests that you consider donating $20 toward the cost of your IRC background check. NOTE: In addition to the background check, some volunteer opportunities require a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card. Before applying, ensure that the suggested opportunity indeed requires a Fingerprint Clearance Card. Fingerprint Clearance Cards are valid for six years and offer clearance for the carrier to work with a multitude of vulnerable populations, not just IRC clients. New fingerprint clearance card applicants should apply under ARS 46-141.

  5. Start date: When your background check is cleared and placement is confirmed, the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator will work with you and the appropriate staff person to schedule your first day. All newly accepted volunteers and interns will begin their service with an orientation with the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator on the office policies, confidentiality, and communication guidelines, and to make all efforts to participate in ongoing training opportunities.

Additional information

Review our current available volunteer positions.