Walk-in Casework Intern (Summer 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 Walk-In Services Casework team provides case management services to over 700 new walk-in clients each year at the IRC in Silver Spring. The team works directly with humanitarian immigrants of varying statuses from different countries resettling in the DC Metro area. The team strives to provide them the necessary barrier reduction services and resources to become self-sufficient in the U.S. This position will report to a Walk-In Caseworker or the Walk-In Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Assist with new client orientation days by sending welcome emails, printing documentation, recording attendance, and filling out any required new client forms and paperwork.

• Submit and follow up with a variety of external referrals, including for English classes and health screenings.

• Conduct follow up calls with clients and provide guidance or assistance with support of supervisor.

• Request and procure required documentation from clients, such as when they receive their social security card.

• Research and build community resources to fill any gaps in services.

• Request and distribute small on-site donations from inventory, including the activation of donated cell phones.

• Coordinate and conduct in-person training events for clients, for instance on how to use the local library or public transportation.

• Regularly track service provision through electronic data entry and organize required client documentation.

• Other duties as assigned by the Walk-In Casework team.

Learning Objectives

• Intern will gain experience in non-profit service provision and navigating community resources.

• Intern will learn how to communicate with a global population, including how to effectively utilize interpreters.

• Intern will gain skills in building resources and training limited English proficiency clients.

• Intern will learn tracking and reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how capturing this data improves services.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate, graduate student or less than 12 months out of school.

• Minimum 30 hours per week, three-month commitment and 4-5 full working days per week; full-time (37.5 hours per week) highly preferred.

• Proficient digital literacy skills (e.g., MS 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 with global populations.

• Ability to build out community resources or conduct trainings is a plus.

• Fluency in Haitian Creole, French, Spanish, Amharic, Tigrinya, or Ukrainian is a plus.

Application deadline: May 22, 2026

This position is for the Summer semester and requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required.

Summer 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on June 1st, 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. Summer 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.