Employment Opportunities
We currently have Intern Opportunities in our New American Program for an Initial Resettlement Intern, Refugee Youth Program Intern, Refugee Program Management Intern, and Adult Education and Learning Intern
Position Title: Initial Resettlement Intern (recruiting for summer and fall)
Department: New American Program
Status: Non-Exempt, Unpaid
Reports to: Resettlement Coordinator
Location: Springfield-based
Hours: Fall and Spring Semesters, recommended 8-10 hours per week or more
Summer Semester, full-time or almost full-time hours are preferred
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is seeking an Intern to join our multicultural New American Program team. This position will support initial refugee resettlement by providing strength-based interventions to promote integration for refugee families, personal health, and well-being. The intern will work to support positive resettlement, acculturation, and citizenship of refugees in Western Massachusetts. This position will report the Resettlement Coordinator and support the resettlement, health, and employment programs for New Americans in Springfield, MA.
Responsibilities:
• Assist Resettlement Coordinator to prepare for, supply, arrange housing, and support refugees resettled in Springfield through the Reception and Placement Program
• Welcome newly arrived refugees and assist to ensure they have their basic needs upon arrival to Western Massachusetts
• Assist in teaching and practicing English with newly arrived refugees to navigate their new community
• Accompany refugees to the grocery store, to the bank, to the library, and to other community locations to help orient them to their new cities or towns
• Develop and/or adapt case management tools, resources and educational materials for use by staff, volunteers, and clients.
• Assist with provision of medical care coordination services for medically vulnerable clients (i.e. health insurance applications, accompaniment to medical appointments)
• Lead bus orientations and bank orientations with refugee clients in Springfield
• Assist refugee parents with the school system, including school registration for refugee children
• Assist with documentation, data entry, and helping supervise refugee children as necessary during meetings where it would not be appropriate for children to attend
• Assist with organizing in-kind donations for resettled refugees and setting up apartments for new arrivals
• Other duties as assigned by the Resettlement Coordinator
Learning Objectives:
• Respectfully express and engage ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment
• Ability to multitask and prioritize needs for incoming refugee families.
• Develop strong advocacy and people skills
• Identify best practices associated with case management and how to effectively conduct client meetings
• Deep understanding of the refugee resettlement program, including challenges that newcomers face and overcome to access services and thrive
• Fluency in navigating essential services for refugees, including welfare systems, education systems, and social services in Western Massachusetts
Preferred Qualifications:
• Organized with great attention to detail and great flexibility
• Able to work independently and effectively as a team member in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and responsible for attending all appointments and meetings scheduled
• A car/driver’s license and willingness to transport clients to/from appointments/events (if candidate does not have a car, then willingness to travel on the bus to appointments and clients homes)
• Experience or openness to working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds
• Strong computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Responsible, able to work independently and professionally
• Strong oral and written communication skills
Please send cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.
Position Title: Refugee Youth Program Intern (recruiting for summer and fall)
Department: New American Program
Status: Non-Exempt, Unpaid
Reports to: Refugee Youth Mentoring Specialist
Location: Springfield-based
Hours: Fall and Spring Semesters, recommended 8-10 hours per week or more
Summer Semester, full-time or almost full-time hours are preferred
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is seeking an Intern to join our multicultural New American Program team. This position will support the refugee youth programs by recruiting youth participants, coordinating workshops, and developing curricular content for future program years based on assessment data. The intern will work to support positive resettlement, acculturation, and citizenship of refugees in Western Massachusetts. This position will report to the Refugee Youth Mentoring Specialist and support the education programs for New Americans in Springfield, MA.
Responsibilities:
• Recruit and screen participants for youth mentoring program in collaboration with case workers. Conduct outreach to families and community leaders.
• Gather and organize volunteer training and mentoring resources on Google Classroom
• Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate workshops for participants – plan, organize, lead/connect with leaders, assess workshop successes and challenges, suggest plans for next year
• Create a curriculum for refugee youth mentoring program
• Compile assessment data; identify themes and develop content for future program years
Develop a database of helpful program contacts
• Create a portfolio of resources for refugee youth who are finished high school and are developing future plans
• Assist staff to support refugee youth in school, including communicating with guidance counselors, assisting youth with digital literacy, and conducting outreach for tutors to support refugee learners
• Monitor volunteer reports submitted about work with refugee youth, follow-up on any needed issues or questions identified in the reporting
• Other duties as assigned by the Refugee Youth Mentoring Specialist
Learning Objectives:
• Respectfully express and engage ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment
• Ability to multitask and prioritize needs for program and volunteer management
• Develop strong training, negotiating, and people skills
• Identify best practices associated with program management and how to effectively conduct meetings and trainings
• Deep understanding of opportunities and challenges that newcomer youth face and how to develop effective tools to help them navigate US systems and personal decision making
• Fluency in navigating educational and career support services for/with refugees and their mentors and volunteers
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working with youth or English language learner populations preferred
• Organized with great attention to detail and great flexibility
• Able to work independently and effectively as a team member in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and responsible for attending all appointments and meetings scheduled
• A car/driver’s license and willingness to transport clients to/from appointments/events (if candidate does not have a car, then willingness to travel on the bus to appointments and clients homes)
• Experience or openness to working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds
• Strong computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Responsible, able to work independently and professionally
• Strong oral and written communication skills
Please send cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.
Position Title: Refugee Program Management Intern (recruiting for spring, summer, and fall)
Department: New American Program
Status: Non-Exempt, unpaid internship
Reports to: New American Program Director
Location: Springfield-based
Hours: Fall and Spring Semesters, recommended 8-10 hours per week or more
Summer Semester, full-time or almost full-time hours are preferred
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is seeking an Intern to join our multicultural New American Program team. This position will support the New American Program Director to lead the New American Team. The intern will support in providing strength-based interventions to promote refugee health, well-being and to support positive resettlement, acculturation, and citizenship for and with refugees in Western Massachusetts. This position will report the New American Program Director and support the resettlement, intensive case management, and employment programs for New Americans in Springfield, MA.
Responsibilities:
• Develop resources and materials for resettlement staff at the direction of the New American Program Director
• Assist in quality assurance of documentation, including case notes, files, and focus group with refugees
• Assist in screening, inputting and vetting JFS volunteers and preparing volunteers for their roles
• Assist in grant reporting and applying for grants to support services for New Americans at the direction of the New American Program Director
• Develop and/or adapt case management tools, resources and educational materials for use by staff, volunteers, and clients.
• Assist with research and outreach to develop partnerships with health providers and community organizations
• Assist with documentation, data entry, and data analysis to improve program services and promote program activities
• Assist with outreach to local organizations to collect and organize in-kind donations for resettled refugees
• Other duties as assigned by the New American Program Director
Learning Objectives:
• Develop skills to lead teams within nonprofit agencies
• Develop the ability to aggregate and organize information from various sources to be useful for a multicultural and multilingual audience
• Develop ability to monitor the work of a team with complex responsibilities, and give constructive feedback to make services or reporting more efficient and the program more in compliance
• Develop the ability to organize, export, and analyze real work data in Excel and other platforms
• Develop the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment
• Respectfully express and engage ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment
Preferred Qualifications:
• Organized with great attention to detail and great flexibility
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and responsible for attending all appointments and meetings scheduled
• A car/driver’s license and willingness to transport clients when needed (if candidate does not have a car, then willingness to travel on the bus to appointments and clients homes)
• Experience or openness to working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds
• Strong computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Experience with graphic design preferred.
• Responsible, able to work independently and professionally
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree are welcome to apply. Clinical supervision will not be available for this position.
Please send cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.
Position Title: Adult Education and Learning Intern (recruiting for spring, summer and fall)
Department: New American Program
Status: Non-Exempt, unpaid
Reports to: Youth and Adult Learning Coordinator
Location: Springfield-based
Hours: Fall and Spring Semesters, recommended 8-10 hours per week or more
Summer Semester, full-time or almost full-time hours are preferred
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is seeking an Adult Education and Learning Intern to join our multicultural New American Program team. This position will support refugee families by providing strength-based interventions to support refugees on their personal, learning and career paths. This position will report to the Youth and Adult Learning Coordinator and support resettlement, education, and employment programs for New Americans in Springfield, MA.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and/or adapt refugee and volunteer training and teaching tools, case management tools, resources and educational materials for use by staff, volunteers, and clients.
• Develop learning plans with refugee clients in conjunction with the Adult Learning Coordinator and Employment Coordinator.
• Train refugees on digital literacy skills and onboard clients onto technology platforms including Zoom, Burlington English, and others.
• Assist with research and outreach to develop partnerships with educational and literacy organizations.
• Lead English classes and/or pre-employment orientations with refugee clients in Springfield with direction from the Adult Learning Coordinator.
• Assist Employment Coordinator, including preparing clients for interviews through one-on-one coaching and Job Readiness Training, accompanying clients to job interviews and assisting with the completion of new hire paperwork
• Track data related to employment, online education programs, and volunteer trainers as needed or assigned.
• Assist with organizing in-kind donations for resettled refugees as needed
• Other duties as assigned by the Youth and Adult Learning Coordinator
Learning Objectives:
• Improve ESL, digital literacy teaching and coaching skills
• Curricula design, development and assessment skills
• Ability to access and direct refugees to enroll and succeed in training and education programs in Western Massachusetts
• Improved facilitation groups with English language learners
• Ability to stay organized in a fast-faced work environment, and remain flexible and patient
• Respectfully express and engage ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with adult learners strongly preferred, related studies preferred
• Organized with great attention to detail and great flexibility
• Able to work independently and effectively as a team member in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and responsible for attending all appointments and meetings scheduled
• A car/driver’s license and willingness to transport clients to/from appointments/events (if candidate does not have a car, then willingness to travel on the bus to appointments and clients homes)
• Experience or openness to working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds
• Strong computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Experience with graphic design preferred.
• Responsible, able to work independently and professionally
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree are welcome to apply. Clinical supervision will not be available for this position.
Please send cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.
Position Title: Refugee Health Services Intern (recruiting for summer and fall)
Department: New American Program
Status: Non-Exempt, Unpaid
Reports to: Refugee Health Services Coordinator
Location: Springfield-based
Hours: Fall and Spring Semesters, recommended 8-12 hours per week or more
Summer Semester, full-time or almost full-time hours are preferred
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is seeking a Health Services Intern to join our multicultural New American Program team. This position will support refugee families by ensuring clients attend required physical, dental, and counseling appointments and that clients learn best practices related to health and hygiene. Interns will assist case workers by serving as an additional resource for clients and collecting information that helps improve the program's delivery. This position will report the New American Program Director and support the resettlement and intensive case management programs for New Americans in Springfield, MA.
Responsibilities:
• Assist staff with case management including:
o advocating for health and social services
o helping to coordinate referrals to a wide variety of social services
o transporting clients to/from appointments, accompanying clients to medical and other appointments to ensure interpretation and follow-up
• Help develop curriculum for educational or support groups based on clients’ needs
• Teach health orientation classes to newcomer clients
• Lead health tours of local health facilitates, when planned by Health Coordinator
• Manage client records and document client interactions through case notes in online database
• Assist case managers and clients with crisis management services, as needed
Learning Objectives:
• Recognize common hygiene and health challenges faced by refugee populations
• Develop strong advocacy and people skills
• Identify best practices associated with case management and how to effectively conduct client meetings
• Identify and access community resources and services, particularly those that serve refugees
• Understand the New American Program, as well as what role resettlement agencies like JFS play in receiving and integrating refugees
• Respectfully express and engage ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment
Preferred Qualifications:
• Interest in refugee medical and healthcare issues
• Undergraduate or graduate students interested in medical, health, social work, or psychology fields are encouraged to apply
• Previous related internships or work experience preferred
• Ability to work respectfully in a multicultural environment
• Patience speaking with non-native English speakers/non-English speakers
• Experience advocating on behalf of others
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Professionalism, discretion, and maturity in dealing with confidential information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Organized with great attention to detail and great flexibility
• Able to work independently and effectively as a team member in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and responsible for attending all appointments and meetings scheduled
• A car/driver’s license and willingness to transport clients to/from appointments/events (if candidate does not have a car, then willingness to travel on the bus frequently to appointments and clients homes in Springfield)
• Students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree are welcome to apply. Clinical supervision will not be available for this position.
Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to:
Mary T. Petrone
Finance & Human Resource Administrator
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts
15 Lenox St Springfield, MA 01108
p. (413) 737-2601 f. (413) 737-0323
m.petrone@jfswm.org
