Please Note: This is an unpaid position. This position may be considered an internship for school credit, depending on your school policies and requirements. If this is desired, please indicate so when applying.

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 initial housing assistance; case management and referral services; job readiness and placement; community and cultural orientation; health and wellness programs; immigration services; and youth programs.

Scope of Internship: The mission of IRC’s New Roots program is to provide nourishing spaces for refugee, immigrant, and BIPOC communities in South King County to rebuild roots and community through land and cultural food access. The New Roots Community Garden Intern will be responsible for caring for the community garden sites, outreaching to and connecting with community gardeners, and documenting questions and concerns. The intern will assist in the facilitation of workshop activities on a quarterly basis. This is a great opportunity for someone who is creative, caring, collaborative, and enthusiastic about community building, food justice, and the value of food and culture. We are looking for 1-2 interns to fill this position. 


Locations:

This position will be in-person at the New Roots garden sites:

  • Family of Grace: 31317 124th Ave SE, Auburn, WA 98092
  • Namaste Garden: 4415 S 140th St, Tukwila, WA 98168
  • Hope Garden: 26715 Military Rd S, Kent, WA 98032
  • St. James Garden: 24447 94th Ave. S, Kent, WA 98030

Time Commitment: 15-20 hours/week during IRC office hours (M-F, 9 am-5 pm). Flexible schedule. Position begins late February with a commitment of at least 3 months. 

Essential Position Functions:

  • Be onsite at one of the community gardens (for 2-3 hours)
  • Check-in with community gardeners onsite, and document questions or concerns
  • Support with site management projects as needed
  • Help facilitate workshop activities
  • Inventory garden supplies once a week for all garden sites listed above
  • Outreach calls to gardeners about upcoming events and workshops with interpreters to communicate information in the client’s language (training will be provided)
  • Utilize interpreters to convey information in the client’s language (training provide)
  • Record participant activity in IRC’s client database, and report any recurring concerns from clients to Program Staff
  • Help with data entry projects as requested


Skills/Qualifications:

  • Fluency or advanced proficiency in a second language predominant among the community we serve (Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Burmese, Nepali, Russian, Ukrainian) preferred but not required.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English
  • Experience working with interpreters preferred

Requirements:

  • Interns must be students (undergraduate, graduate, or affiliated with a higher educational institution) or recent graduates (within 6 months).
  • Must be culturally sensitive, respectful of diverse backgrounds, and willing to work with English language learners; previous cross-cultural communication and work experience a plus
  • Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
  • Comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite, PDFs, Outlook, and shared documents
  • Must be flexible, patient, and willing to learn and perform reasonable duties as needed
  • Access to reliable transportation

Reports to: New Roots Food Security Specialist
Updated: January 2023

Apply:

  1. Please email resume and cover letter to [email protected] (indicate in subject line which position you are applying for)
  2. Volunteer Coordinator or IRC staff will follow up