Fall 2025: Asylum Seekers and Families Program Intern (Unpaid)

SCOPE OF ASYLUM SEEKERS AND FAMILIES PROGRAM INTERN WORK: In this internship, students will have the opportunity to contribute to the Asylum Seekers and Families program through community engagement and outreach as well as by supporting case management. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: Based on intern skills and experience, responsibilities may include a combination of program support, administrative/data support, and direct service:

• Support case management for asylum seekers and families

• Drive and accompany clients to appointments such as health check-ups, legal consults, school enrollments, etc. 

• Accompany clients on bus/metro trips to help them learn routes on the San Diego public transit system

• Conduct outreach, including development of materials and presentations

• Network for and develop community partnerships and collaborations

• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of Safety & Wellness Department

• Conducting screening calls for potential clients, working with interpreters and determining eligibility for the program

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Interns will gain exposure to case management for Asylum Seekers

• Interns will learn about the Asylum process and services available for asylees

• Interns will expand their experience providing culturally humble services and resources

• Interns will gain familiarity in cross-cultural communication

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Education: Must be currently enrolled in an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s program focused on social work, women’s/gender studies, public health, business, communication, economics, finance, public policy, public administration, social sciences or a related field. 

• Work Experience (Preferred): Prior experience in case work, working with clients with a variety of immigration statuses, familiarity with refugee and asylee populations helpful, but not required. Demonstrated success working and communicating with people of varied English-speaking abilities strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, desire to learn and contribute, excellent organization and time-management skills, proactive, motivated, and flexible; ability to take direction (written and oral) and to complete tasks independently

• Language Skills: Fluent in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Farsi, Dari, Spanish, Pashto, Arabic, Swahili or Russian preferred.

• Steady and regular availability is greatly preferred; flexible shifts will not work well for this internship

• Certificates or Licenses: Current driver license and insurance required.

This position reports to the Casework Supervisor.

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Working Environment:

• The Asylum Seekers and Families Internship is majority in-person, and remote as needed.

• San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours based on this window of availability