Employment & Skill-Building Intern (Spring 2027)

International Rescue Committee•Silver Spring, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Refugee TANF Coordination Program (RTCP) provides holistic services to humanitarian immigrant parents receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Its goals are to help households maintain compliance with TANF benefits, reduce barriers to self-sufficiency and employment for both spouses in two-parent households, and help employment-ready spouses secure full-time employment. The intern works under the supervision of an RTCP employment specialist, supporting client assessment, employment preparation, skill-building, referrals, job searches, employer outreach, and program documentation. This unpaid internship is based at the IRC Silver Spring office and requires in-person work. Spring 2027 interns are expected to attend an in-person orientation on January 25, 2027, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The minimum commitment is 24 hours per week, three full working days per week, for three months; a 32–40-hour week is highly preferred. The posting also states that at least 15 hours per week of in-person availability is required. Eligible Spring 2027 interns may receive $15 per day in per diem reimbursement to offset food and travel costs. Candidates who are not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and are more than 12 months beyond graduation may apply as volunteers.

Requirements

Be a current undergraduate or graduate student, or have graduated within the past 12 months, to qualify as an intern; other candidates may apply as volunteers.
Commit to at least 24 hours per week for three months and work three full days per week; the posting also requires in-person availability of at least 15 hours per week.
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.
Have an interest in working with refugee and humanitarian populations in a global environment.
Submit a resume, cover letter, and at least three references with the application.
Complete the required background check if selected; the posting requests a $30 donation toward associated costs.

Nice To Haves

Ability to work 32–40 hours per week is highly preferred.
Experience or interest in conducting trainings.
Fluency in Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Spanish, Kiswahili, Kinyarwanda, Tigrinya, or Amharic.
Access to an insured vehicle.

Responsibilities

Assess new clients by creating an initial employment plan and pre-employment budget for each client.
Conduct group Zoom or in-person skill-building and information sessions on topics such as job readiness, interviews, 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 services through electronic data entry and organize required client documentation.
Perform other duties assigned by the RTCP team.