Current opportunities
HR Admin Support Volunteer
The Human Resources Department serves the staff who serve our clients. The HR Admin Support Volunteer position does not interact directly with clients but supports the Administration Specialist. Together we make sure IRC Arizona has the staff needed to provide services to our clients, and to support staff’s HR needs.
Transit Training Volunteer
Volunteer Transit Trainers travel with refugees on their first bus ride from the refugees’ homes to the Phoenix IRC office, explaining how to read maps and transit schedules, how to use and purchase a bus pass, and culturally appropriate behaviors and rider rules. The volunteer transit trainer will also show the client how to get to the grocery store and back home.
Student Support Volunteer
Student Support Services for Adult English Language Learners
Civics Instructor Volunteer
Volunteers will engage with students, either virtually or in person, as Citizenship Preparation instructors. Volunteer instructors will be provided a textbook, scope and sequence, slide decks, and additional resources. Curriculum covers vocabulary, US history and government, and navigating interviews. Volunteers are encouraged to develop and implement their own activities to enhance learning and engagement.
ESL Instructor Volunteer
Volunteers will engage with students, either virtually or in person, as English language acquisition instructors. Volunteer instructors will be provided a standard curriculum, complete with teacher’s resources and worksheets to help facilitate learning. Volunteers are encouraged to develop and implement their own activities to enhance learning and engagement.
Volunteer Medical or Psychological Evaluator
Join Arizona's Asylum Network! Volunteer evaluators are independently licensed medical or mental healthcare providers who conduct medical or psychological evaluations for survivors of persecution and trauma who are seeking humanitarian immigration relief (i.e. asylum) in the United States and who do not have the resources to obtain a standard (paid) evaluation.
Housing Support Volunteer
The Housing Support Volunteer will assist the Housing and Logistics Coordinator and Casework team to build resources for housing options for refugees along with assisting in setting up and moving refugees and asylees into their new homes. The volunteer will work with the Housing and Logistics Coordinator to identify safe, clean, and affordable homes and apartments for newly arrived refugees and asylees along with assisting in setting up and moving clients as needed and delivering food preparation for newly arriving refugees. Furthermore, the housing and support volunteer will also assist in identifying affordable housing resources for longer term refugee and asylees clients.
Asylum Seeker Volunteer
Assist asylum seeking families at the Welcome Center, a dynamic, 24/7 emergency support center providing resources to newly arrived asylum seekers and their children.
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
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. NOTE: Applications are only considered complete when both references are received. You are responsible for sending the reference request form provided in the application packet to your contacts, and having them email it back directly to [email protected]. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Review our current available volunteer positions.
Additional things to note
All volunteers are required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
*You must be 18 years or older to volunteer and complete a background check. For under 18 years old volunteer opportunities, please email [email protected]
Most positions require a 3 month volunteer commitment with 5 hours per week. If this is not feasible for you, please email us about our on-call opportunities.
Please email [email protected] with questions.
If you know you are ready to volunteer with us, please complete the online volunteer application and upload your resume. You can alert the Volunteer Coordinator that you have submitted an application by emailing [email protected]