Community Engagement intern (Fall 2026)

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to and coordinate meetings with community partners to recruit volunteers based on volunteer needs.
• Support overall volunteer programming by onboarding volunteers, researching volunteer best practices, and suggesting changes to programs based on volunteer feedback.
• Aid in planning events to recognize community partners and volunteers and deepen engagement with the community.
• Support in the creation of content for social media, the IRC website, monthly newsletter and outreach materials.
• Track community partnerships across IRC in Silver Spring programs.
• Cook in-kind donation opportunities.

Requirements

• Minimum commitment of 20 hours per week.
• Availability for some weeknights and weekends required.
• Ability to work in-person required.
• Passionate about immigration, refugees and serving others.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Learning Objectives

• Acquire detailed knowledge of programs available for refugees and asylees by way of a humanitarian non-profit.
• Communicate effectively with clients across cultures.
• Learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how to capture data to improve services.

To Apply

Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter, and a list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline to apply is August 21st, 2026. This position is for the Fall semester and requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required. Fall 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on September 7th, 2026 from 9:15AM-3:30PM. We Currently Offer Internships During The Following Semesters Spring: January – May Summer: June – August Fall: September – December Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date. Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Fall 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel. For information on scholarship opportunities, contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring Community Engagement Coordinator Michalina Kulesza at michalina.kulesza@rescue.org. Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply. These candidates will be processed as volunteers. To protect our clients, the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients, and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.