BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. IRC teams provide health, infrastructure, learning, and economic support to people in 40 countries worldwide. The IRC also provides support to thousands of refugees resettling in 29 U.S. cities each year through housing assistance, case management and referral services, job readiness and placement, English language training, community and cultural orientation, health and wellness programs, immigration services, and other community integration activities.

SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK: The IRC Seattle office is looking for several volunteers to work with the Early Employment team to help newly arrived refugees. This support includes tutoring or leading virtual ESL classes (English Language Classes) and/or practicing conversational English for specific job contexts. The employment team will provide technical support and guidance to the volunteers. In this position, you will have the chance to learn about different cultures and contribute your expertise by helping refugees thrive in our community. The volunteers are open to using their innovative approaches in providing their expertise for the required services. Creativity, creative problem solving, and resilience are great skills to bring, however, these skills will also be flexed and built upon greatly with this experience. We are also open to coordinating employment workshops that can include mock interview practice, resume editing and other job readiness activities. People with a teaching or instructing background are strongly encouraged to apply. 

LOCATION: Remote either virtual (Zoom) or over the phone. 

TIME COMMITMENT: Minimum 1 day/week, 2-3 hours/week. Minimum 3-month commitment.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS:

  • Provide ESL support either through formal tutoring or practicing conversational English with English learners 
  • Volunteers will work with refugee and immigrant job seekers and report on the provision of support
  • Help facilitate mock job interviews
  • Provide feedback on participant progress and adjust the curriculum as needed
  • Provide regular progress updates and share questions or concerns with IRC Staff

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be self-motivated and comfortable working with little supervision
  • Ability to collaborate with others and work well as part of a team
  • Ability to handle sensitive client information confidentially
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English; additional fluency in either Dari, Pashto, Urdu, Arabic, Ukrainian is helpful but not required
  • Familiarity with online file-sharing tools, such as Google Docs or Dropbox, preferred
  • Comfortable with using Zoom, Teams or other remote meeting software
  • Knowledge of application and hiring process in the U.S. preferred
  • Prior work experience in the U.S. preferred
  • Prior experience or knowledge of ESL tutoring or support is highly preferred but not required
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and across language barriers
  • Willingness to adhere to IRC Develop creative activities and approaches for achieving program objectives set by IRC staff

 

Reports to: Early Employment Staff 

Last updated: December 2023

To Apply:

Attend a volunteer orientation! Sign up here.