Refugee Resettlement Intern (Fall 2026)

About the role

The refugee resettlement team supports refugees and other eligible humanitarian immigrants with their initial resettlement period in the United States. Before client arrival, the team coordinates arrival logistics for an airport pick-up and prepares housing/furnishing. After arrival, the team provides a myriad of support services, including culturally orienting them to life in the U.S., connecting them to eligible benefits, and referring them to internal and external providers all with the goal of clients reaching economic self-sufficiency and social integration as quickly as possible.

Responsibilities

• Aid in setting up homes before client arrival, including lifting, moving, unpacking, assembling, and transporting household supplies, furniture, and food.
• Pick up clients from the airport, transport them home in personal vehicle, and provide them a new home orientation.
• Support clients by completing applications for eligible public benefits, Medicaid, social security cards, and more.
• Orient clients with the local public transit system via conducting bus orientations in the field.
• Refer clients to external services including but not limited to English classes and medical screenings.
• Conduct check-in calls and send messages to clients to determine the status of any unresolved service provision and provide guidance or assistance with the support of the intern supervisor.
• Research and build community resources to fill any gaps in services, as needed.
• Record client interactions and service provision in compliance with funder requirements by inputting data into Microsoft Excel and databases.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 24 to 37.5 hours per week (3 to 5 full-time days per week) in-person at the IRC office, and a four-month commitment.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.
• Willing and able to transport, lift and move items as needed to set up homes and otherwise support new client arrivals.
• Lifting and carrying of items 50+ lbs., occasionally larger items such as furniture.
• Proficient digital literacy skills (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word) and the ability to learn new software and tasks.
• Organized and attentive to detail.
• Ability to work independently and multi-task.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Interest in working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of or interest in learning about client benefits and other community resources.
• Fluency in Dari, Haitian Creole, Pashto, or Spanish is a plus.

Learning Objectives

• Intern will learn how housing is secured and prepared for newly arriving refugees.
• Intern will gain professional U.S. field-office experience interacting with and supporting refugee clients.
• Intern will acquire detailed knowledge of the programs and benefits available for clients during their initial resettlement period.
• Intern will learn tracking and reporting requirements per funder requirements and how capturing this data improves service provision.

Benefits

• 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure.
• Medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month.
• FSA for healthcare and commuter costs.
• A 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching.
• Disability & life insurance.
• An Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.