Refugee Resettlement Intern

Scope of Work

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 with the goal of clients reaching economic self‑sufficiency and social integration as quickly as possible.

• Assist with home set‑ups before client arrival, including lifting, moving, unpacking, assembling, and transporting household supplies and furniture.
• 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.

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

• Current undergraduate, graduate student, or less than 12 months out of school.
• 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.
• Ability to lift and carry items 50+ lbs., occasionally larger items such as furniture.
• Proficient digital literacy skills (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, 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.

This position is for the Spring semester and requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week, with three full‑time days. 32 hours per week is preferred. The internship lasts four months. Interns must work in‑person at the Silver Spring office and in the local field service area. Spring
2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in‑person intern orientation on January
26,2026 from9:15AM‑3:30PM.

Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Spring
2026 interns may be eligible for a per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel.

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.