Refugee Employment Internship

Job Summary: Intern will assist Employment Specialists with employment development and job search and placement for recently-arrived refugees.

Key Responsibilities;

• Conduct employment plan interviews with refugees (documentation of refugees’ education and work history)
• Make referrals to English and employment training classes with partner agencies
• Assist refugee community members with necessary skills for find and keeping a job (learning bus routes, filling out applications, practicing for job interviews.)
• Search for job opportunities, attend job fairs with community members, establish relationships with employers
• Help refugee community members apply for jobs (paper and online) and take them to job interviews
• Follow up with employed community members and their employers to troubleshoot and ensure job retention
• Basic administrative assistance: filing of paperwork and keeping case notes for each refugee
• May include some case management trouble-shooting (assisting with food stamps, Medicaid, medical appointments, housing, and other issues that may arise)

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Present by Internship Completion or Before):

• Commitment to Mission: to help refugees rebuild safe, sustainable lives through supportive networks of people, services, and community activities
• Ability to work in multi-cultural environments required
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Knowledge and experience with employment development a plus
• Use of personal computer and vehicle a plus.
• Ability to effectively communicate with supervisor
• Interest in working in a multicultural environment, refugee language capability a plus
• Knowledgeable about and sensitive to the experiences of refugees and immigrants
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite). Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet use
• Background check and clean DMV record

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding of the timelines and processes refugees go through from arrival-5 years.
• Increased intercultural communication competency
• Exposure to basic non-profit operations and environment
• Knowledge of marginalized populations - challenges and opportunities
• Experience working with limited English proficiency populations
• Understanding of refugee TANF systems
• Knowledge of refugee benefits systems
• Ability to navigate of social service systems
• Basic ability to keep case notes and maintain case files to State Department standards.

Time Requirements:

Minimum 2 days/week or 3-5 half days per week. This is an in-office role.