Refugee Resettlement Intern (Spring 2026)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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 all with the goal of clients reaching economic self-sufficiency and social integration as quickly as possible. This position will report to a caseworker or the casework supervisor.

Responsibilities:

• 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.

Learning Objectives:

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

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate, graduate student or less than 12 months out of school. *
• 24 to 32 hours per week (3 to 4 full-time days per week) and four-month commitment.
• 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. Lifting and carrying of items 50+ lbs., occasionally larger items such as furniture.
• Proficient digital literacy skills (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and 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.

TO APPLY
Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter, and a list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2026.

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. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and in the local field service area is required.

Spring 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on January 26th, 2026 from 9:15AM-3:30PM.

We currently offer internships during the following semesters:

Spring: January – May
Summer: June – August
Fall: September – December

Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date.

Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Spring 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel. For information on scholarship opportunities, contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring Community Engagement Coordinator Michalina Kulesza at michalina.kulesza@rescue.org.

*Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply. These candidates will be processed as volunteers.  

To protect our clients, the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients, and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients. Instructions will be provided after you have been selected to intern or volunteer.  

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. 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.