Interpreter Services Administrative Support Intern (Spring 2025)

International Rescue Committee
United States, New York, New York
Nov 07, 2024
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. BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Domestically, our 28 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency. SCOPE OF WORK: The Administrative Support Intern is a key contributor to the Interpreter Services team. The Interpreter Services program works to fill the needs of language-minority populations in Charlottesville and Richmond, connecting public and private agencies with IRC's pool of 70 contract interpreters. In addition, this program serves the global IRC network, including IRC headquarters, with interpretation and translation services. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Attend a volunteer/intern orientation. * Work as a team member to monitor Fluency Internet Interpreter Scheduling System for interpreter requests and match them with available interpreters. * Support and correspond with interpreters to assign and reschedule appointments. * Provide customer support, including answering emails and phone calls, editing and rescheduling appointments in Fluency, and following up as needed. * Monitor occasional voicemail/phone calls and direct urgent calls to Interpreter Services staff for assistance if necessary. * Provide tech support for Fluency, Microsoft Office products, and other communication platforms for interpreters and customers. * Assist with evaluating and training new interpreter candidates, including administering language exams. * Record hours and submit completed timesheet for each month via the IRC's online Volunteer Dashboard. * Work on a variety of ongoing and new projects, including coordinating customer agreements and enhancing operational guidelines, trainings, and structures within this versatile program. Minimum Qualifications: * Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, or recent graduate. * Computer literacy in MS Windows and Office Applications and ability to learn new database system quickly. * Excellent communication skills with fluency in written and spoken English. * Experience working in customer service preferred. * Availability to distribute required hours across 3 or more workdays strongly preferred. This position is unpaid and reports to the Senior Interpreter Services Specialist. 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 or disability. Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.