What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Services Intern 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 and is designed to provide academic credit for Advanced Social Work students. We ask that applicants be available for approximately 15-20 hours per week, starting in September 2026 and ending in May 2027.
Essential Functions
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 and is designed to provide academic credit for Advanced Social Work students. We ask that applicants be available for approximately 15-20 hours per week, starting in September 2026 and ending in May 2027.
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 strongly preferred. Fluency in French, Dari, Pashto, Russian or other language will be considered.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to learn and use health databases.