Family Outreach & Engagement Intern

BACKGROUND: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides immediate resettlement assistance, employment assistance, intensive case management, immigration services, health and wellness programs, and education support.

SCOPE OF WORK: The vision of the IRC Seattle Youth Program is that refugee youth will have the skills and resources necessary to pursue a future of opportunity. In this process we support refugee parents/caregivers to strengthen their engagement with their child’s school and education.  Our goal is to support parents/caregivers as they navigate the challenges of transitioning and adjusting to a new education system with their children and as they build their connection and engagement to the teachers, staff, and education system overall.

Additionally, you may assist with parent/caregiver outreach on a variety of topics of interest to them, build supportive relationships with families, and generally advocate on behalf of families with the schools. This internship may be of particular interest to someone wanting to support refugee and immigrant parents become more comfortable in helping their children adjust to a new education system in the United States.  

LOCATION: This position can be virtual but hybrid is preferred. If hybrid, intern would be working both remote and in-person at both the IRC office located at 1200 S 192nd St, Seattle, WA and with families at schools within South King County.

TIME COMMITMENT: 2-4 full days (16-24 hours) per week during office hours only (Mon-Thurs, 10am – 6:00pm). Regular schedule required. Position begins May 2022 and continues through end of September 2022.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct outreach to parents/caregivers
• Work closely with the families, the schools and school districts
• Keep families updated on school and community resources
• Assist families that need support with school enrollment
• Support newcomer families by joining School Orientation meetings with them at schools in South King County
• Support newcomer families by joining Education Orientation (cultural orientation) meetings with them as they transition to the US education system

REQUIREMENTS:

• This internship is for undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent college graduates
• Must be culturally sensitive, respectful of diverse backgrounds, and willing to work with English language learners; previous cross-cultural communication experience is a plus
• Attention to detail
• Ability to research and filter from a variety of school resources and information
• Ability to work comfortably with school staff and the community
• Preferred experience working with parents or caregivers
• Ability to work with others in a cooperative and flexible manner
• Must be outgoing, energetic, and flexible
• Willingness to adhere to IRC volunteer, intern, and workplace policies
• Access to reliable transportation to travel to schools and the IRC office 

Reports to: Youth Program Staff

Updated: February 2022

Please note, all interns are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is an unpaid internship.

Apply:

1. Please email VolunteerSEA [at] rescue.org with a resume and cover letter

2. Please fill out an internship application