How does it work?
A minimum six month, 20 hours per week commitment is required. Most internships require all hours to be completed in the office, within the hours of 8:00am and 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. Although additional qualifications may be noted with each position, all internship positions at CAIR-WA require the following attributes:
- Passion for CAIR's community service work
- Internal sense of urgency and initiative that promotes focus, creative thinking and solutions
- Punctuality and reliability
- Proficiency with Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Professional demeanor
How to Apply?
For more information or to apply, please click on the "respond" button and we will follow up with you.
You will be asked to indicate the position(s) in which you are interested, provide an explanation of why you are interested in this position, describe any relevant experience or skills, and provide your complete contact information (full name, email, and phone number). You may also include a résumé and two references who have supervised you in a past volunteer position, internship or employment. Applicants must pass a background check. All internship positions at CAIR-WA are unpaid.
Students interested in receiving academic credit (college) or community service hours (high school) should indicate so in their cover letters. Credit may be arranged during the first week of the academic term.
Civil Rights Case Intake
Our Civil Rights Department handles hundreds of cases each year that range from prejudiced gestures to full blown discrimination against Muslim clients as well as non-Muslims who have been perceived to be Muslim. Casework includes conducting intake interviews, ongoing communication with clients and offending parties, writing advocacy letters, attorney referrals, researching relevant legislation, and database entry. The department also presents "Know-Your-Rights" trainings for local Muslims.
While working with CAIR-WA, the Civil Rights Intern will gain interviewing, investigative, and writing skills from work with diverse clientele to document civil rights abuses. S/he will oversee civil rights cases, as well as assist in documenting and reporting data and educating the community about CAIR's work. In addition, s/he will have access to a number of community events and trainings (depending on scheduling) pertaining to broader civil rights work in Washington State. S/he may be asked to perform other tasks as needed.
Requirements:
- Comfortable with conducting interviews and asking probing questions over the phone
- Good judgment and discretion
- Flexibility with diverse tasks and varying schedules
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Excellent writing skills
- A very positive attitude
- Punctuality and reliability
- Detail-orientation and excellent organizational skills
- Ability to work across cultural boundaries with respect, patience and understanding
