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 50+ 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. 

 

Department Overview: The vision of the IRC Seattle's Youth and Education Department is that youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds will have the skills and resources necessary to achieve academic success and pursue a future of opportunity. The Youth and Education Department works towards this vision by providing educational and enrichment opportunities to help school-aged and young adult youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds to: catch up on their education; accelerate English proficiency; plan and prepare for post-secondary education and career; build positive relationships in the school and community; and more.  

 

Position Overview: The Youth and Education Program Intern supports IRC Seattle's extended learning and enrichment programs for middle school youth. The intern will join weekly after-school programs located in South King County on Wednesday afternoons to support program implementation. The intern will work with full-time IRC Seattle staff to implement lessons on English literacy, digital literacy, math numeracy, social-emotional asset development, and navigation of the United States’ educational system. The intern will work directly with youth to coach and mentor their growth over the course of five months (from January 2026 to June 2026).  

 

In working directly with middle school students, the intern will play a vital role in ensuring that youth feel welcomed and supported during their transition to the US education system, and that they can rebuild their futures with confidence and agency. 

 

Major Responsibilities:  

  • Lead the implementation of IRC Washington’s middle school programs with a strengths-based, experiential education approach.  
  • Support Youth Program Coordinator and Youth Program Specialists with curriculum development and designing lesson activities that can be scaffolded to meet the needs of various levels of English language development. 
  • Create safe and healing learning spaces and build supportive relationships with newcomer students utilizing a trauma-informed approach to support students’ academic success and social- emotional development.     
  • Facilitate individual-, small-, and large-group activities for middle school youth participants; confidently manage group dynamics during facilitation of activities and commit to growth in classroom management strategies. 
  • Manage effective processes including attendance records, distribution and collection of learning materials, health and sanitation procedures, and safety / emergency protocols.   
  • Participate in program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC Youth and Education team.  
  • Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency. 
  • Other related duties as assigned. 

 

Time Commitment:  

This internship runs from January to June 2026, with the possibility to extend through the summer. During this time, the intern is expected to commit the following, barring exceptional circumstances (such as illness or travel).  

  • Mondays: Attend 1-2 hours of remote trainings and meetings to prepare for weekly youth programs.  
  • Wednesdays: Attend in-person after-school youth programs from 12 pm – 5 pm, primarily onsite at middle schools in Kent School District and/or on field trips with IRC-provided transportation.  
  • Occasional remote work, like completing trainings, preparing group activities, developing feedback surveys, and designing newsletter content. 

 

Location: South King County (primarily in Kent School District). 

 

Desired Qualifications:  

  • Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred; in lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees, immigrants, or English Language Learners; cross-cultural or overseas experience accepted. 
  • Strong intercultural and interpersonal communication skills: demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and across language diversity.  
  • Written and spoken proficiency in English.  
  • Experience and proficiency utilizing online platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Box. Comfort learning new online systems as relevant to the work. 
  • Ability to work independently to ensure proactive, quality performance of duties, as well as ability to work as part of a team to support other staff and students. 
  • Committed to anti-bias work and continual professional development, learning, and growth. 
  • Willing to be First Aid/CPR certified upon hire.  

 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.   

 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 

 

To apply: Email a copy of your resume and cover letter to Zeynep Ertugay (zeynep.ertugay@rescue.org) and to Aaron Nilson (aaron.nilson@rescue.org), with the subject line Youth Program Intern Application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.