Housing and Casework Internship

Save to Favorites

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee is the leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. The IRC is committed to freedom, human dignity, and self-reliance. This commitment is reflected in well-planned resettlement assistance, global emergency relief, rehabilitation, and advocacy for refugees. Founded in 1933, the IRC is a global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by conflict and oppression. The resettlement office in Salt Lake City provides services to approximately 535 newly arriving refugees per year.

SCOPE OF WORK:

This intern will support the IRC SLC’s housing program, a leader in the nation of ensuring that refugees have a home to call their own as soon as they arrive to the US. New to the housing system, IRC clients often struggle with housing related problems such as cleaning, reporting maintenance needs, and navigating the US rental system. The Housing Assistant will visit clients at their 5 month mark and check on their housing status. This role will work closely with the Logistics coordinator to expand our current housing access curriculum. In this role, interns get a substantial amount of one-on-one interaction with clients from around the world.

Essential Functions:

• Assist Logistics Coordinator in identifying and addressing housing needs of clients
• Visit clients who have been in the US 5 months to check on housing needs
• Assist in donation collection and distribution of household items to clients
• Provide in home maintenance and cleaning orientations as needed
• Meet one on one or in small groups with clients to provide tutorial on navigating US leasing systems
• Assisting in other duties as need including outreach, apartment searches, donations deliveries, front desk support and other all staff and intern roles at the SLC office

Requirements:

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or recent graduate
• Previous experience with an ESL population
• Previous experience in education preferred
• Willing to learn about IRC history, philosophy, global work, and local efforts; adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English; additional fluency in a refugee language preferred
• Reliable, independent, and able to take on a project assignment and ask for help when needed
• IRC orientation and background check required