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*Please note: this is an unpaid internship. This position is anticipated to start in June 2024.*
IRC IN SAN DIEGO BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 48 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.
SCOPE OF INTERN WORK:The Resettlement Housing & Logistics Intern will be instrumental in helping newly arrived refugees, and other refugees who are facing significant barriers to settle into new homes in San Diego via assisting with the entirety of the move in process. The intern will support the Housing & Logistics Coordinator, Specialist, and refugee clients directly. The Resettlement Department consists of two programs; Reception & Placement, and Afghan Integration Resettlement Services. Interns work with clients from both programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist the Resettlement Housing team and IRC clients by assisting with housing needs, such as:
- Client moves
- Driving company van to pick up donations.
- Transporting supplies and donations / supplies
- Setting up client apartments for move-ins
- Administrative work / paperwork
- Applying for apartments / housing
- Following up with landlords and clients for signatures and lease signings
- Handling IRC specific paperwork, including supply lists and safety forms
- San Diego Housing procurement
- Finding housing options and landlord partnerships.
- Client moves
- Help prepare and process housing paperwork for Housing and new clients.
- Develop guides and learning materials for client use (examples: rental assistance, resource mapping, local community guides, etc.)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Students will learn about San Diego housing process, refugee resettlement processes, and the essential steps of setting up new refugee families for success.
- Students will learn about the refugee resettlement process from a national and global perspective.
- Students will learn about significant barriers to affordable housing and how to navigate negotiating fair rent and working with landlords in San Diego.
- Students will learn more about the populations of refugees in San Diego.
- Students will learn about the essential functions of a non-profit office needed to help programs continue to run.
- Students will learn about organizational development in a non-profit setting through hands on experience.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or Master's program; interests in Human Rights, International Relations, etc. preferred
- Must be a self-starter, enthusiastic, and possess a positive attitude
- Excellent organization skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills, empathetic, and ability to effectively collaborate
- Ability to lift 30+ pounds
- Willingness to drive a moving van
- English fluency required
- 1+ years related work or volunteer experience with anon-profit strongly preferred
- A strong interest in working with a diverse, low-income population is required
- Proactive, motivated and flexible; able to remain calm and adapt within a fast-paced work environment
- Language skills a plus (Farsi/Dari, Kiswahili, Arabic, or Russian strongly preferred)
- Time Commitment: 4 months, 5-10 hours per week
This position reports to Resettlement Supervisor, the Volunteer & Donations Specialist, and the Housing & Logistics Team.
Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.
Working Environment:
- The Resettlement Housing & Logistics Internship is in-person at the San Diego (El Cajon) office.
- San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. The internship will take place any time Monday-Friday between 10:00am-4:00pm (for a total of 5-10 hours per week).
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.