The IRC in Charlottesville is currently seeking applications for academic year interns! Interested applicants should complete the online application on the IRC Careers page. Applicants must attach their cover letter and resume to their application. Please apply to all positions you want to be considered for.

Qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews on a rolling basis, with internships beginning September 2021. Prospective interns must go through the volunteer orientation process, and should be currently enrolled in an educational institution or be a recent graduate. Please note that all internships are unpaid. 

The application deadline is September 15, 2021. However, note that some positions may be filled before then if enough qualified applicants have applied. 

Requirements for all internships:

  • A minimum of 10 hours per week. Hours must be completed during normal business hours (i.e. Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm), although some positions may have occasional hours in the evenings or on weekends.
  • Enrollment in a Bachelor’s or post-graduate degree program, or a recent graduate who is pursuing a relevant career.
  • Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate professionally in a multicultural setting.
  • Reliability and flexibility.
  • An interest in international and refugee issues, and a willingness to learn about the diverse ethnic backgrounds of clients and adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies.

Current openings:

Please see below for internship descriptions.

Casework: Interns will assist casework staff in providing direct client services, including shopping for and setting up households for arriving refugee families, transporting and accompanying clients to required appointments such as Social Security office, Health Department, Dept. of Social Services and providing orientation to the Charlottesville public transit system. Interns will also perform administrative tasks such as completing applications for services on behalf of clients, creating documentation for case files, and making appointments. Valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, good driving record, and regular access to a vehicle required.

Employment: Finding and maintaining employment is a key element to refugee self-sufficiency. The intern will assist IRC employment staff to identify potential employers and job opportunities for refugee clients. The intern will complete job applications, assist with resume writing, prepare clients for job interviews, fill out new hire paperwork, shop for needed work clothes and tools, and accompany clients to their first day of work. Depending on the intern's schedule, he/she may act as a teaching assistant in job readiness classes. The intern will also provide administrative support including documenting job search activities and delivering appointment notices to clients' homes. Valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, good driving record, and regular access to a vehicle required.

Family Support: The Family Support Assistant will work closely with the IRC Medical Case Manager to assist clients with their health care needs. This may include care coordination, advocacy, and transportation assistance. Valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, good driving record, and regular access to a vehicle required.

Immigration: Immigration interns work directly with the immigration specialist assisting IRC clients in preparing applications for adjustment of status to permanent residence, naturalization petitions, family reunification applications, travel documents, renewal and replacement applications.

Interpreter Services: The Interpreter Services Intern supports a program that works with more than 60 contract interpreters to fill the needs of Charlottesville’s limited English proficiency population and public and private agencies for professional interpretation. Interns will learn the nuts and bolts of operating a small business, including being responsive to customers' requests, scheduling employees (the interpreters), billing customers, and renewing annual contracts. The position will work with the online scheduling system, Fluency, and will provide administrative support to the program. This position does not require knowledge of a non-English language.

New Roots: The New Roots program at the IRC supports culturally appropriate health and nutrition among refugees and helps aid in refugee transition to the Charlottesville community through gardening opportunities, health and wellness education and agricultural micro-enterprise. Intern responsibilities vary per experience, interest, and seasonal needs. Summer applicants must be able to commit to interning through the growing season ending October 2017, and should have availability on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, good driving record, and regular access to a vehicle required.

Resource Development: Interns assist the Development Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator with various aspects of fundraising, event planning, community outreach, volunteer recruitment and management, and handling in-kind donations. Tasks may include answering volunteer inquiries and assisting with orientation or placement of volunteers, maintaining records of volunteers and their service hours, processing donations of goods and assisting with the management of the IRC "Resettlement Shop.” Interns, if interested, may also assist with writing and design tasks such as monthly newsletter articles, web posts, and creating invitations and programs for special events. Summer interns have the opportunity to assist with the IRC’s annual fundraising event and World Refugee Day. Academic Year interns provide support during the year-end appeal season.

Finance: The finance intern assists the Finance Manager with accounting duties and gets first-hand experience in non-profit accounting. Responsibilities include weekly deposits, payroll allocation, data entry of finance information into our operations system, and other project-based assignments. The finance intern will be occasionally asked to help at the front desk to welcome clients, connect clients with relevant staff and resources, and answer phones.

Youth Programs: The Youth Programs intern assists staff in the planning and coordination of various different activities, such as after-school tutoring, college prep workshops, and monthly outings or field trips around town. Some evening and weekend hours may be required. The intern also provides significant administrative support, including tasks like filling out and filing school registration paperwork and delivering notices to clients' homes. Valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, good driving record, and regular access to a vehicle required.

*Please contact [email protected] with any questions.