International Rescue Committee

START DATE: June 9, 2025

DURATION: Until August 29, 2025

POSITION REPORTS TO: Student Support Specialists; Dean of Student Support

DETAILS: Expected to be in person for specific program dates, including training from 7/1-7/3 8:00am – 4:00pm, and the NYSA Program from 7/7-8/15 M-F 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Minimum 15 hours per week, preference to candidate seeking more hours)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), works in the United States welcomes newly arrived refugees and immigrants, supports them in their resettlement, and provides holistic services to help them build new lives in their communities.

The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy is a six-week program focusing on preparing newly arrived youth to succeed at their grade level in the New York City public school system. Up to 130 students ages 5–21 from over 20 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, physical education, and social-emotional learning classes. Field trips are held on Fridays.

The School Success Intern will work with the Student Support Team in both its administrative and student-facing work, with a strong focus on data collection and analysis to inform effective student interventions. Interns will conduct classroom observations, assist with functional behavior assessments, and attend RTI meetings to help track student progress and identify needed supports. They will review case notes, compile data weekly, and assist in developing and refining accommodations and behavior plans based on their findings.

Additionally, interns will support parent communication, providing updates on both positive and challenging student behaviors. They will collaborate closely with Classroom Culture Lead Teachers to collect additional data from their perspectives. Interns will also help monitor the execution of accommodations and behavior plans, gathering effectiveness data on interventions by analyzing antecedents and consequences. While they will not conduct 1:1 interventions, they will observe and document interventions put in place by senior staff.

Interns will also assist with administrative tasks such as case note submission and direct family outreach for non-behavioral concerns (e.g., event reminders, field trip updates). Other duties may be assigned as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in Student Support Team onboarding in June, attend all staff training, and be present for program meetings and staff development activities thereafter.
• Assist with direct outreach to families for program enrollment and confirmation, including dispersal of informational materials and pre-assessments.
• Assist with facilitating student arrival and dismissal.
• Conduct classroom observations and assist in data collection to help assess student needs.
• Support the completion of functional behavior assessments and attend RTI meetings.
• Review case notes and compile student progress data weekly to support the development of accommodations and behavior plans.
• Support with case note writing and the creation of tools for behavioral interventions
• Collaborate with Classroom Culture Lead Teachers to gain additional insight into student behavior and engagement.
• Monitor the execution of accommodations and behavior plans and track the effectiveness of interventions.
• Participate in and assist with parent/teacher conferences and other family events during the Academy.
• Conduct family outreach for program-related updates (excluding behavioral concerns).
• Support post-Academy needs such as survey distribution.
• Comply with all agency policies and protocols.
• Other relevant duties as assigned, including but not limited to:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Interns will develop understanding of systems, tools, and strategies for behavioral management and support in a trauma-informed and culturally relevant manner.
2. Interns will contribute meaningfully to data collection and management in a non-profit setting.
3. Interns will develop their understanding of the landscape of community resources and services available across NYC.

REQUIREMENTS: Volunteers must be based in the U.S. Interns must be based in US, must be a US citizen or have US work authorization, must be enrolled in post-secondary institution or have graduated from a post-secondary institution within last 2 years.

• Undergraduate or graduate student in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related field preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, particularly in data collection and reporting.
• Organized, reliable, and flexible.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required. Second language proficiency highly desirable (including Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, Haitian Creole, French, Pashto, Fulani, Wolof, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Mandingo, Nepali, Tigrinya, Mam, Garifuna).