Employment & Skill-Building Intern (Spring 2027)

International Rescue Committee • Silver Spring, MD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Employment & Skill-Building Intern supports the Refugee TANF Coordination Program (RTCP), which provides holistic services to humanitarian immigrant parents receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The program helps households maintain compliance with TANF benefits, reduces barriers to self-sufficiency and employment, and assists employment-ready spouses in securing full-time work. The intern works under the supervision of an RTCP employment specialist, supporting client assessment, employment preparation, service referrals, employer outreach, and program documentation.

This is an unpaid internship based in person at the IRC’s Silver Spring office, with some activities conducted in person or by Zoom. The internship requires at least 24 hours per week and a three-month commitment; three full working days per week are specified, and 32–40 hours per week is highly preferred. Spring 2027 interns are expected to attend an in-person orientation on January 25, 2027. A per diem reimbursement of $15 per day may be available to help offset food and travel costs. Applicants are asked to submit a resume, cover letter, and at least three references. Selected applicants must complete a background check, and the posting requests a $30 donation toward its associated costs.

Requirements

• Be a current undergraduate or graduate student, or have left school less than 12 months ago; candidates outside these criteria may apply as volunteers.
• Commit to at least 24 hours per week for three months, including three full working days per week.
• Be able to work in person at the Silver Spring office.
• Have strong digital literacy and the ability to learn new software and tasks.
• Be organized and attentive to detail.
• Be able to work independently and multitask.
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Commit to attending the in-person intern orientation on January 25, 2027, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Submit a resume, cover letter, and list of at least three references with the application.
• Complete a background check if selected.

Nice To Haves

• Availability to work full time, 32–40 hours per week, is highly preferred.
• Experience or interest in conducting trainings.
• Interest in working in a global environment with refugee and humanitarian populations.
• Fluency in Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Spanish, Kiswahili, Kinyarwanda, Tigrinya, or Amharic.
• Access to an insured vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Assess new clients by creating individual initial employment plans and pre-employment budgets.
• Conduct group skill-building or information sessions by Zoom or in person on topics such as job readiness, interviewing, digital literacy, public transportation, childcare options, driver’s licenses, GED courses, and credential evaluation.
• Assist clients with public-benefit application follow-up, calls to external service providers, and referrals to internal and external services.
• Create individualized resumes and cover letters, help clients find job leads, and complete job applications with them.
• Research potential employer partners and conduct outreach.
• Track service provision through electronic data entry and organize required client documentation.
• Perform other duties assigned by the RTCP team.

Benefits

• The internship is unpaid.
• Spring 2027 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement of $15 per day to offset food and travel costs.
• Scholarship opportunities may be available through the applicant’s university or the IRC Silver Spring Community Engagement Coordinator.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed