Internship opportunities in Los Angeles: now accepting applications!

The IRC provides opportunities for refugees to thrive in America. In Los Angeles and many other regional offices across the country, the IRC helps them rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. To accomplish this, IRC LA relies heavily on efforts by our interns and volunteers.

Interns are asked to work at least 10-15 hours per week, Monday through Friday, for a minimum of 3 months. Preference is given to those who can contribute more hours and to those who are already in the Los Angeles area, or have plans to be in the LA area. Interns must be a current college student/grad student or less than one year out of college. Internships are UNPAID.

To apply, please 1)email Carly Boos, Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected] to sign-up for an information session, and 2) complete the online volunteer application and upload resume and cover letter. Please note expected start and end dates of internship in cover letter. Internship applications will not be considered without a completed application, resume, and cover letter with expected start date/end date. 

Once an interview is confirmed and conducted, successful interviewees will complete the necessary background checks. To protect our clients, we require background checks for all our volunteers, and we ask volunteers to make a $49 donation to cover associated costs. Currently, 89% of our funding goes directly to our clients, and your help to cover this cost allows us to continue providing the best service possible. This step can add 1-2 weeks to the process, but is typically very fast.

For any questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]

Current Internship Opportunities:

Census Outreach Intern 

The Census Outreach Intern will assist the Census Outreach Coordinator with reaching out to the immigrant, refugee, and asylee community with crucial information regarding the upcoming 2020 Census.

• Researching and synthesizing Census-related materials available from LA city, LA county, California state, the U.S. Census Bureau, various other NGOs, and also create approriate outreach material of their own.
• Input and track outreach data and progress among the refugee and immigrant community.
• Assist with presenting Census material at outreach events/workshops/info sessions
• Help translate materials (when applicable). Language skills desired but not required. 

Reception and Placement Intern 

The Reception and Placement Team is responsible for refugee resettlement here in Los Angeles, and provides initial services to orient refugees to life in the U.S., including (but not limited to): 

• Assist caseworkers in conducting cultural orientations, home visits, and pickup families at the airport
• Help coordinate housing and apartment setup
• Research community resources and in-kind donations
• Assist refugees with job search, building resumes, and practicing interview skills
• Create detailed case notes and input data into softwares ETO and IRIS
• Fluency in Spanish, Farsi, Dari, Pashtu, or Arabic highly desired.

Immigration Program Intern 

The Immigration Intern will help provide services to clients seeking various forms of immigration assistance. The intern will learn about and gain experience in the naturalization process; how to file various citizenship and naturalization forms, as well as forms for immigration benefits. Must be available during office hours between Monday - Friday, during the hours of 9am- 4pm. Fluency in Armenian, Farsi, Arabic and Spanish highly desired. 

Citizenship & Financial Capability Program (CFCP) Intern 

The CFCP Intern will assist the Integration Manager in maintaining student files, responding to student questions/requests, functioning as point person for Volunteer Instructors and Assistants, and conducting outreach. CFCP Intern will also be Assisting or Instructing a Citizenship & Financial Capability class during internship (if desired).

• Full training will be provided
• Weekday availbility during regular office hours is required.
• Spanish language ability a plus.
• Reliable transportation required as Intern will need to attend classes in libraries throughout Los Angeles as well as come to IRC LA office in Glendale.

Financial Coaching Intern 

The Financial Coaching Intern will assist the Financial Coach in working one on one with immigrant members of the community, including refugees, asylees and Unaccompanied Minors to broaden knowledge in Financial Literacy and empower immigrant women, children and families in the Los Angeles area to take control of their personal and family finances. They will also assist the Financial Coach in conducting outreach, enrolling students, and data entry.

• Experience in Financial Coaching, Financial Literacy or a background in financial matters is highly desirable
• Access to reliable transportation is highly preferred as meetings will take place at various Los Angeles Public Libraries
• Fluency in Spanish is highly desired

Unaccompanied Children Program Intern

The Unaccompanied Children's Program Intern will assist the Unaccompanied Children's Caseworker in providing casework to unaccompanied children who have been released from detention into the care of a sponsor. 

• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• The ability and willingness to conduct home visits is required
• Other duties include:
  • Completing and entering detailed casenotes
  • Conducting follow up calls with sponsors and clients
  • Conducting research to develop resources to support the UC Program
  • Administrative tasks as assigned