Residential Support Staff Internship

Homeless Solutions•Morristown, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Homeless Solutions offers a paid internship for college students seeking hands-on experience in a nonprofit emergency shelter. Interns work frontline shifts alongside permanent employees in the Main Shelter and learn its internal operations while serving people experiencing homelessness. The internship provides exposure to a range of client populations and shelter services, with support and guidance from experienced staff. Interns gain experience meeting directly with clients, using NJHMIS, completing clerical work, and shadowing case management to learn about social work responsibilities. They may also learn about nonprofit operations, advocacy, and management career paths. The Mentorship Program provides guidance and professional development from experienced higher-level staff. Internships typically last one semester, or approximately 3–4 months, and interns generally work 16–24 hours per week. Continued employment after the internship may be available, depending on performance, interest, and availability.

Requirements

Be currently enrolled in a secondary education program in social work, criminology, sociology, psychology, or a related field.
Have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Be motivated to learn.
Have good oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
Meet regular and predictable onsite attendance requirements and have reliable transportation during scheduled hours.
Be fingerprinted and receive satisfactory results from applicable periodic background checks.
Be physically capable of lifting and carrying supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
Be able to occasionally move about inside the residential housing facility, including navigating stairs and ramps.
Have clarity of vision at close and long range.

Responsibilities

Work frontline shifts in the Main Shelter alongside permanent employees.
Meet directly with clients and assist with clerical work.
Develop proficiency in using NJHMIS.
Learn shelter procedures, including drug and alcohol testing, safety checks and contraband searches, de-escalation and crisis prevention, medication monitoring, volunteer engagement, emergency response, conflict resolution, and child welfare interventions.
Shadow case management and gain exposure to social work responsibilities.
Participate in mentorship and professional development opportunities.