What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Services Intern (NY) position at HIAS?
Position Summary
HIAS is seeking a Social Services Intern to support our Social Services team in providing trauma-informed psycho-social support services to asylees and asylum seekers in the DC metropolitan area, with a focus on vulnerable populations including victims of gender-based violence, LGBTQ individuals, single-parent households, and survivors of torture. The intern will be responsible for intake, screening, assessment and triage of clients referred to the Social Services unit, as well as treatment planning, the provision of resources and community referrals, and short-term group and individual counseling. The position will include opportunities for the development of programming to address client needs, monitoring and evaluation activities, and participation in special projects.
Note, this position is unpaid but may be pursued for academic credit. We ask that applicants be available for approximately 15-20 hours per week, starting in September 2025 and ending in May 2026.
Essential Functions
We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process for internships:
Step 1: Submit your application!
Step 2: Video interview with the hiring manager.
Step 3: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.
Step 4: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or ESR.
Step 5: Start your professional journey with HIAS!
Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.
About Us
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.
Vision
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.
Mission
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.
Values
Welcome
Justice
Empathy
Partnership
Courage
Resilience
Diversity
HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply even if you do not meet all required qualifications but have other qualifications relevant to the role that would make you a great fit for this role with HIAS!
Safeguarding
HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
HIAS is seeking a Social Services Intern to support our Social Services team in providing trauma-informed psycho-social support services to asylees and asylum seekers in the DC metropolitan area, with a focus on vulnerable populations including victims of gender-based violence, LGBTQ individuals, single-parent households, and survivors of torture. The intern will be responsible for intake, screening, assessment and triage of clients referred to the Social Services unit, as well as treatment planning, the provision of resources and community referrals, and short-term group and individual counseling. The position will include opportunities for the development of programming to address client needs, monitoring and evaluation activities, and participation in special projects.
Note, this position is unpaid but may be pursued for academic credit. We ask that applicants be available for approximately 15-20 hours per week, starting in September 2025 and ending in May 2026.
Essential Functions
- Provides intake, screening, assessment and triage of clients referred to the HIAS Social Services program.
- Provides clinical case management services to HIAS clients, including referrals to community resources, assistance in obtaining services to meet basic needs, advocacy, and accompaniment.
- Provides short-term individual therapy to clients to address symptoms associated with trauma, depression and anxiety.
- Assists in the development and facilitation of psycho-educational and support group sessions.
- Supports the Social Services team by researching, reviewing and updating community resources, and by assisting with the coordination of service provision.
- Assists in the collection, analysis and evaluation of program monitoring data.
- Assists in program development through the research and analysis of community service gaps and comparative programs.
- Completes administrative tasks, including case notes and case file management.
- Current MSW student.
- Demonstrated experience working in a multicultural environment and with clients from varying cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrated experience working in a social services environment.
- Experience providing services to survivors of trauma or forcibly-displaced persons preferred.
- Fluency in English required; fluency in Spanish, French, Dari, Pashto or other language strongly preferred.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to learn and use health databases preferred.
We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process for internships:
Step 1: Submit your application!
Step 2: Video interview with the hiring manager.
Step 3: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.
Step 4: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or ESR.
Step 5: Start your professional journey with HIAS!
Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.
About Us
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.
Vision
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.
Mission
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.
Values
Welcome
- Acogimiento
- Hospitalité
- Hachnasat Orchim
Justice
- Justicia
- Justice
- Tzedek
Empathy
- Empatía
- Empathie
- Chesed
Partnership
- Compañerismo
- Coopération
- Chevruta
Courage
- Coraje
- Courage
- Ometz
Resilience
- Resiliencia
- Résilience
- Ruach
Diversity
HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply even if you do not meet all required qualifications but have other qualifications relevant to the role that would make you a great fit for this role with HIAS!
Safeguarding
HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
