Employment & Internship
Opportunities

Assistant Director, Refugee Self-Sufficiency

Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is a dynamic organization committed to providing a wide range of services and support to individuals and families in our community. The Assistant Director of Refugee Self-Sufficiency will play a crucial role in providing strategic oversight for programs designed to facilitate the successful integration of refugees into the community. This position is responsible for managing and guiding a team of dedicated professionals, including an Employment Coordinator, Job Skills and Learning Coordinator, and Group Programs Coordinator.

Position Details:

Position:         Assistant Director, REfugee Self-Sufficiency
Department:  New American Program
Status:              Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to:    New American Program Director
Location:        Springfield, MA

Responsibilities:

Grant Management:

  • Oversee the administration of grants related to refugee employment, learning and self-sufficiency, including Comprehensive Refugee Employment Services (CRES), the Family Integration Program (FIP), Health Promotion Program (HPP), Refugee Community Services (RCS) and SNAP E&T.
  • Ensure compliance with grant requirements, including reporting, budget management, and program evaluation. Provide strategic guidance for the development and implementation of programs related.

Team Management:

  • Directly manage and provide leadership to an Employment Coordinator, Job Skills and Learning Coordinator, and Group Programs Coordinator and other staff as assigned.
  • Facilitate regular team meetings, set performance expectations, and support professional development.

Group Programs Oversight:

  • Provide strategic guidance for group programs aimed at providing social support for new refugee arrivals. Support coordination of cultural orientation programs in collaboration with the Group Programs Coordinator and Post-Arrival Resettlement Coordinator.
  • Oversee health education and literacy programs to enhance the overall well-being of refugees.
  • Oversee gender based violence prevention initiatives within the agency and expansion of GBV capacity building initiatives.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to maximize the impact of refugee self-sufficiency programs.
  • Engage with community organizations, employers, and educational institutions to enhance job opportunities for refugees.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

  • Oversee the collection and analysis of data to measure the effectiveness of programs and grants.
  • Prepare regular reports for internal and external stakeholders, highlighting achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. Prepare monthly, semi-annual and annual reports to demonstrate program impact to funders.

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a relevant field or 5 years of relevant experience preferred (Social Work, Education, Public Administration, International Relations, etc.).
  • Proven experience in program management, particularly in refugee services or related fields.
  • Strong understanding of grant management and reporting requirements.
  • Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, strong writing skills and data management skills.
  • Strong knowledge of issues related to refugee health, mental health, and psychosocial well-being.
  • Experience in managing and leading teams, with a focus on creating a positive and collaborative work environment.
  • Familiarity with gender-based violence prevention strategies and capacity building initiatives.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.

We offer a competitive compensation package. JFS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Please email your cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.

Community Social Worker

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Social Worker to join our team. The Community Social Worker will be responsible for providing essential support and services to older adults within our community. The successful candidate will conduct home visits and assessments, connect with community partners, provide case management services, and play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for older adults by ensuring they have access to necessary resources and support.

Position Details:

Position:         Community Social Worker
Department:  Behavioral Health
Status:              Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Reports to:    Naturally Occuring Retirement Communities Program Director
Location:        Hampden/Hampshire Counties

Responsibilities:

  • Working with Older Adults: Provide personalized support to older adults in the community, addressing their emotional, social, and physical well-being.
  • Home Visits and Assessments: Conduct home visits to assess the living conditions and needs of older adults, and develop individualized care plans.
  • Liaise with Community Resources: Establish and maintain relationships with community resources, agencies, and organizations to ensure older adults have access to essential services and support.
  • Weekly Supervision: Attend regular supervision sessions with a supervisor to discuss cases, seek guidance, and ensure quality service provision.
  • Timely Report Filing: Maintain accurate records of client interactions, assessments, and service plans. Submit reports in a timely manner as required by the organization.
  • Case Management: Provide comprehensive case management services to assigned clients, including coordinating care, referrals, and advocacy on their behalf.
  • Community Needs Assessment: Collaborate with community partners to assess the ongoing needs of the older adult population in the community, identify gaps in services, and develop strategies to address them.
  • Ongoing Supportive Visits: Conduct ongoing visits to older adults to monitor progress, offer emotional support, and adjust care plans as needed.

      Performance Criteria

      • Attention to time and detail, personal reliability
      • Independence of function and judgment
      • Timeliness and accuracy of management information
      • Reliability and accuracy of communications, written and verbal
      • Ability to relate to other staff, clients, managers, board, and the larger community in a manner that enhances the agency’s performance and image
      • Technical competence in office operating systems

      Qualifications

      • An interest in working with older adults and a genuine passion for enhancing their quality of life.
      • Experience working in the Jewish community and a familiarity with Jewish customs and traditions is a desired feature.
      • A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, gerontology, or a related field. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
      • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport with older adults and their families.
      • Knowledge of community resources and social service systems to effectively connect clients with appropriate support.
      • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple cases efficiently.
      • Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with a diverse population.
      • Compassion, empathy, and a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in social work practice.

          We offer a competitive compensation package. JFS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Please email your cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.

          Family Support Program Specialist

          To support families with mental health challenges by providing strength-based interventions to promote personal health, well-being and to support positive resettlement, acculturation, and the citizenship process for refugees and immigrants.  To provide direct and indirect services in accordance with contract requirements and to ensure compliance with documentation guidelines for all funding sources.  To provide consistent, quality services and active community outreach to all required consumer groups.

          Position Details:

          Position:         Family Support Program Specialist
          Department:  New American Program
          Status:              Full-Time, Non-Exempt
          Reports to:     Community Support Program Refugee Director
          Location:        Springfield based

          Responsibilities

          • Conduct assessment by interviewing clients at JFS office, home, and other appropriate settings.
          • Prepare individualized achievable service plan with specific and attainable goals.
          • Provide family and individual treatment interventions that may include family life education, behavioral consultation, and community outreach.
          • Make full use of social services and all available resources which are available for individuals and families.
          • Compile and maintain timely, up-to-date and accurate client records and progress notes according to JFS policies and procedures.
          • Complete and submit all required client documentation, following agency protocols, in a timely manner.
          • Attend weekly supervision sessions with assigned supervisor.
          • Understand and practice agency mission, values, and policies.
          • Be available for client emergencies.
          • Maintain good relations within the community and other agencies.
          • Cooperate and collaborate with other social services agencies that may work with clients and families.
          • Help clients meet financial needs for themselves and for immediate family members. This includes supporting clients to get employment, welfare and SSI benefits.
          • Provide ongoing case management to clients as assigned by your supervisor.
          • Help clients to become self-sufficient.
          • Perform translation and interpretation services for clients as needed.
          • Perform all responsibilities within the framework of JFS’s mission and policies.
          • Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

            Qualifications

            • Bachelor’s degree or related experience in social work or health care
            • Experience providing services to refugee and/or immigrant populations.
            • Computer literate
            • Ability to work in an ethnically diverse work environment.
            • Capacity to deal with unpredictable situations and concerns.
            • Ability to work autonomously.
            • Must function well as part of a team.
            • Valid Massachusetts’s driver’s license.
            • Bilingual Haitian Creole/English.

                  We offer a competitive compensation package. JFS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Please email your cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.

                  Ukrainian Intensive Case Manager

                  Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is seeking a Case Manager to join our multicultural New American Program team.  Position provides services related to the successful integration of Ukrainian parolees and other eligible clients. This position will report to the Intensive Case Management Coordinator.

                  Position Details:

                  Position:         Ukrainian Intensive Case Manager
                  Department:  New American Program
                  Status:              Full-Time, Non-Exempt
                  Reports to:     Intensive Case Management Coordinator
                  Location:        Springfield based

                  Responsibilities

                  • Consult with each referred client to assess needs, determine program eligibility, and create detailed Self-Sufficiency Plans for intensive case management programs.
                  • Provide or ensure client access to intensive case management services, including program orientation and enrollment, intensive case management services, and interpretation support to ensure access to services.
                  • Transport or secure transportation for clients to appointments as needed.
                  • Provide extended and specialized orientations specific to client’s needs.
                  • Consult with department coordinators within the New American and behavioral health department about referrals and client progress as needed.
                  • Provide resources for case managers to assist particularly vulnerable refugees facing barriers to integration, such as refugees with medical, mental health needs, elderly refugees, and youth who have spent prolonged periods under refugee conditions.
                  • Provide or coordinate group orientation on the healthcare system and wellness for vulnerable individuals or other resettled refugees.
                  • Perform all duties within the framework of the agency mission and ethics.

                    Qualifications

                    • High School diploma, bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
                    • Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian preferred.
                    • Experience working with non-native-English speakers from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
                    • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently, to plan and organize work, and follow tasks through to completion.
                    • Ability to communicate and engage with a diverse caseload and a multicultural team.
                    • Good oral English language skills, written English language skills a plus.
                    • At least 2 years’ experience working within refugee or immigrant communities.
                    • Valid Massachusetts driver’s license. Driving history check will be performed for selected candidate. Ability to drive clients using personal and agency vehicle.

                          We offer a competitive compensation package. JFS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Please email your cover letter and resume to: Mary T. Petrone, Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.

                          Internship Opportunities

                          Intern with JFS! Looking to start a career in social services or international relations? Become an intern to get an inside look at this work, and learn how to succeed in the field.

                          JFS is offering paid internships for qualified candidates for Health Interns, Program Management Interns, and Ukrainian Initial Resettlement Interns in j-term 2022-23, spring 2023, and summer 2023.

                          • Adult Education and Learning Intern
                          • Legal Support Intern
                          • Refugee Health Services Intern; Initial Resettlement Intern
                          • Refugee Program Management Intern
                          • Refugee Youth Program Intern

                          Adult Education and Learning Intern

                          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.

                          Position Details:

                          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.

                          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

                          Legal Support Intern

                          Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is seeking a Health Services Intern to join our multicultural New American Program team. JFS is seeking a passionate and motivated Legal Intern to assist our legal team in providing critical legal services to asylum-seekers. This internship offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in immigration and refugee law to gain valuable hands-on experience and contribute to our mission of supporting vulnerable populations. This position will report the Legal Services and Partnerships Coordinator in the New Americans in Springfield, MA.

                          Position Details:

                          Responsibilities:

                          • Legal Research: Conduct legal research on immigration laws, policies, and regulations relevant to refugee and asylum cases.
                          • Client Support: Assist attorneys in client intake and interviews, providing interpretation and translation services as needed to ensure effective communication.
                          • Documentation and Case Preparation: Assist in preparing and organizing legal documents, including asylum applications, immigration petitions, and court filings.
                          • Court and USCIS Filings: Support attorneys in filing documents with immigration courts, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and other relevant government agencies.
                          • Case Management: Help maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, tracking deadlines, and ensuring timely follow-ups with clients.

                            Learning Objectives:

                            • Gain practical experience in immigration and refugee law.
                            • Work closely with experienced attorneys and legal professionals.
                            • Contribute to a meaningful cause by supporting vulnerable populations.
                            • Networking opportunities within the legal and refugee advocacy community.
                            • Understand the immigration system.

                              Preferred Qualifications:

                              • Undergraduate degree, preferably in law related majors.
                              • Currently enrolled in or recent graduate of an accredited law school, preferred.
                              • Strong interest in immigration and refugee law.
                              • Proficiency in a second language, especially one commonly spoken by refugees in the community, is a plus.
                              • Compassionate, culturally sensitive, and empathetic toward the needs of refugees and asylum-seekers.
                              • Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented.
                              • Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines.
                              • Previous related internships or work experience preferred.
                              • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
                              • 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.
                              • Access reliable transportation.

                                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

                                Refugee Health Services Intern

                                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.

                                Position Details:

                                Responsibilities:

                                • Assist staff with case management including:
                                  • advocating for health and social services
                                  • helping to coordinate referrals to a wide variety of social services
                                  • 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

                                Initial Resettlement Intern

                                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.

                                Position Details:

                                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

                                  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

                                  Refugee Program Management Intern

                                  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.

                                  Position Details:

                                  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 Master’s degree in public policy, nonprofit management, or international nonprofit management encouraged to apply. Internship is open to students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. 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

                                  Refugee Youth Program Intern

                                  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.

                                  Position Details:

                                  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

                                    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

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