Background: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. IRC teams provide health, infrastructure, learning and economic support to people in 40 countries worldwide. The IRC also provides support to thousands of refugees resettling in 29 U.S. cities each year through initial housing assistance; case management and referral services; job readiness and placement; community and cultural orientation; health and wellness programs; immigration services; and youth programs.

Scope of Volunteer Work: The IRC’s Pathways to Citizenship program strives to ensure equal protection under the law and civic integration of refugees and immigrants by assisting them to achieve U.S. citizenship.  The IRC offers high-quality immigration legal services and citizenship assistance in 24 cities across the U.S. Our comprehensive immigration services are provided by fully qualified IRC staff accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice's Board of Immigration Appeals. Each year the IRC served more than 12,000 individuals with immigration services.

As part of the resettlement process, IRC in Seattle has started coordinating and leading citizenship and immigration services for newly arrived refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and other immigrants. The purpose of the citizenship course is to prepare legal permanent residents for the naturalization process, focusing on preparation of the N-400 application and the interview for citizenship, including the civics exams and English language requirements. This is great position for someone (1) interested in volunteering with the IRC’s Immigration team, (2) learning more about the immigration process and how local refugees are affected, and (3) with teaching and instruction skills.

Location: Virtual over Zoom and in-person at various south King County Library System (KCLS) branches

Time Commitment: 

  • Minimum 3 hours/week
  • Minimum 3-month commitment. 6-month commitment preferred.

Essential Position Functions:

  • Work with small groups of students (1-4) via Zoom
  • Provide individual support in either ESL or test prep questions
  • Prepping materials for class & maintaining organized records.
  • Signing up clients for Citizenship class
  • Keeping record of class students and attendance
  • Assist with N400 form questions, if able and needed
  • Supporting classes per Immigration curriculum (training and materials provided)
  • Responding to questions and concerns from clients during class, and referring them to appropriate services or resources as necessary

Requirements:

  • Deep commitment to IRC’s core values and the ability to model and communicate those values in relationships with IRC staff, clients, partners, and community leaders.
  • Strong organizational skills with focus on details.
  • Strong public speaking skills, and demonstrated ability to adjust communication styles to be clear and persuasive with different audiences.
  • Must be able to work productively in a team environment, as well as under minimal supervision, taking the initiative to ask questions as needed.
  • Confidence in basic computer skills; must be able to work effectively with MS Word, Excel, email, and internet applications
  • Experience working in multicultural environments is a plus
  • Willingness to adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies

How to apply: Attend one of our upcoming Virtual Volunteer Orientations. Afterward a member of the Development Staff will reach out to get to meet you before sharing the other onboarding steps.