Legal Services & Case Support Intern- Learning Position

Legal Services & Case Support Intern- Learning Position at International Institute of Akron(IIoA) through the North East Ohio Immigration Collaborative(NOIC) Internship Program

Contact Person: Anam Javed (Project Assistant NOIC) Email: anamjaved91@gmail.com

Position Description

The Legal Services and Case Support Internship is a service-learning opportunity that provides hands-on experience working with underserved and underrepresented immigrant communities. Interns will work closely with staff at one of our placement agencies and/or partner community organizations to support client intake, case preparation, and administrative case management processes.

This role provides meaningful exposure to immigration services within a nonprofit setting, while contributing directly to client support and organizational operations.

Schedule

• Number of Positions: 1
• Type of Position: UNPAID Internship Position
  
   
• Dates: 10 weeks Period[Insert Starting & End dates]
  
   
• Schedule: IN-PERSON 
  
   
• Days/Time: 20 hours per week within 8:30-4:30 schedule, availability on weekdays, Monday through Friday (Preferably Mondays), mornings, and/or weekday early afternoons 
  
   
• Time Commitment: The total number of hours per week and exact schedule are to be mutually agreed upon—a minimum of 20 Hours per week, or as decided by the placement organization.
  
   
• Location: International Institute of Akron, 530 South Main Street, Suite 1762, Akron, Ohio
• No prior experience in the legal field required. Supervised byDOJ Accredited Representative 

Responsibilities & Requirements

As part of the Case Support and Legal Services role, interns are expected to complete all assigned tasks and fully fulfill the responsibilities outlined below

 

• Assist attorneys with initial client intake;
• Prepare immigration applications for clients;
• Interact directly with clients to obtain the correct information and documentation for their applications;
• Assist clients and walk-ins at Front Desk Reception Area; and
• Complete other duties as assigned. 
  
   

Additional fitting responsibilities would be assisting with case management systems, file organization, and administrative support for scheduling of events, such as large group application processing clinics.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in an accredited school
• Background in Social Work, Law, Humanities, Public Policy, or related field encouraged
• Demonstrated interest in serving immigrant and underserved communities
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast paced environment
• Must possess effective verbal, written, de-escalation, and interpersonal skills;
• Must be able to work as part of a team;
• Must demonstrate commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support IIA’s mission, vision, and values;
• Must demonstrate commitment to working in a diverse working environment;
• Must be fluent in English;
• Must possess strong organizational skills and ability to work independently; and
• Must possess proficiency in the use of web-based software, MS Word and basic data entry.

Skills & Experience Gained

Participants will gain:

• Hands-on training in case handling and case management
  
   
• First-hand experience working within a nonprofit organization setting
  
   
• Coaching and training in trauma-informed interviewing techniques, structured questioning, and case management systems
  
   
• The opportunity to contribute to improving and streamlining processes while making a meaningful impact on the organization
  
   
• Experience working with underserved, diverse, and multilingual populations
• Professional development in documentation, organization, and legal processes

This internship provides the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to client outcomes while developing practical skills in both legal services and community-based work.

NOTE: Interns are typically required to pass a BCI background check and to complete the full, multi-stage onboarding process for the legal team.

About IIOA

The International Institute of Akron is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization existing in Akron, Ohio, for over 100 years. The heart of our work has always been to foster a sense of home for immigrants in our community. Our mission is to enrich the vitality of our local community by helping immigrants achieve an empowered life with dignity, connection, and belonging. We accomplish this by providing intensive case management, social services, employment services, education, language access, and immigration legal services to refugees and immigrants. Our vision is to foster a just, open, and vibrant multicultural community where immigrants are thriving because ALL people are treated with dignity and respect.