Join Our Team

Position Purpose: Assists the refugee with follow up employability plans, administration of refugee disability, workers’ compensation and unemployment claims and general clerical assistance to the Employment Department.

Read the full job description here

Volunteer with The Center to help refugees, immigrants, and the greater Mohawk Valley community feel welcome. 

We need volunteers in a number of areas, including refugee resettlement, tutoring English, assisting with citizenship test preparation, and administrative assistance. Some remote volunteer opportunities may be available. 

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, complete the application below, and submit your updated resume and cover letter on the next page. 

The Center Volunteer Application

You'll be contacted about current volunteer opportunities. Thank you for helping to create a community of welcome. 

The Center is currently seeking individuals who are interested in interning at our organization. Internship opportunities are available for the fall and spring semesters as well as a summer break.

Specific positions may change from semester to semester. Minimum hours and workload vary depending on the department and internship position. If you're the community builder we are looking for, apply today!

The organization prefers individuals who are pursuing studies in the following areas:

• International Studies/Relations
• Human Rights
• Human Services
• Government
• Journalism
• Communications
• Public Relations
• Computer Sciences/Graphic Design
• Human Service
• Language
• Anthropology

University students of any level of study will be considered. Prospective interns who match our organization's needs will be contacted for an interview.  After the interview process, a final decision will be made.

To apply:
1) Click Here to complete the application
2) Upload the completed application to the online application (access the online application by clicking "Apply Now" below)
3) Having difficulty with the online application: Send to Elise Incze elisei@thecenterutica.org 

Department: Compass Interpreters

NOTE: This is not a full time position within the agency. This is an Independent Contractor position.

Job Summary: Provides professional interpretation services for community service providers, limited English proficient individuals, and The Center staff from the source language to the target language as requested.

Accountabilities: Compass Interpreters was founded in 2011 and is the interpretation division of The Center. Located in Utica, NY, our skilled and experienced linguists provide interpreting services in over 50 languages. All interpreters report to the Manager of Compass Interpreters. Compass Interpreters, a division of The Center, is a multilingual interpretation, translation, and cultural outreach organization. The department provides educational and professional services to foster cultural understanding and appreciation, promote multicultural diversity, and empower communities to embrace new populations. Compass Interpreters provides professional linguistic services to clients in languages that are relevant to refugees and immigrants who are living in our community

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide onsite interpreting services for medical, social services, home visits, mental health, court, law enforcement, legal services, education (e.g., special education, state testing, parent-teacher conferences, home visits, etc.), victim services (e.g., domestic violence), human resources (e.g., orientation, training, health insurance enrollment), real estate, refugee event, and business conference.
• Provide remote interpretation via phone and video.
• Submit electronic timesheets, mileage forms, and other paperwork as requested in a timely manner. 
• Participate in mandatory training and meetings.
• If recruited as an untrained bilingual speaker, completion of Bridging the Gap training is mandatory to accept medical appointments.
• Strong work ethics and communication skills are required.

Additional Employment Expectations

• If applying as an “untrained” bilingual speaker, attendance and completion of Bridging the Gap training will be required to accept medical appointments
• Attend department information meetings as requested
• Participate in continuing education opportunities as available

We offer:

• A caring environment and supportive team;
• Competitive pay;
• Flexible schedule;
• Mileage and travel time reimbursement;
• Discount medical and court interpretation training; 
• Professional development assistance; and 
• Statewide work opportunities.

We are looking for interpreters that service the following language pairs:

• English to Albanian
• English to Arabic (Female preferred)
• English to American Sign Language
• English to Chinese Mandarin
• English to Korean
• English to Maay Maay
• English to Nepali
• English to Rohingya
• English to Somali

Department: TONE — translation of nearly everything

Job Summary: Tune in, turn it up, join us! Provides professional translation services from requested source text to target text in accordance with Project Manager requests, client specifications, and deadlines. We hire translators on a continuing basis. All positions are as freelance translators. No full-time positions are available.

Accountabilities: All translators report to the translation Manager and work closely with the Translation Coordinator. Translators are hired as independent contractors and can work anywhere around the world. All communication is done electronically and all translations are electronic documents. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Translate or review requested text accurately and completely, conveying the meaning of the source target into the target text
• Ability to translate 250 words p. hour, 2,000 words p. day, 10,000 words p. week.
• Complete accepted jobs in accordance with project specifications and within deadline
• Format all individual document requests in accordance with the original
  
  

Additional Employment Expectations:

• Translation Memory software – such as Wordfast, MemoQ, SDL Trados, XTM, Across, Xbench, Déjà Vu – is an advantage
• All applicants are subject to an interview process. Applicants may be asked to complete sample translation or deliver a small sample without payment unless proof of language proficiency, language testing, or a nationally/internationally recognized certificate is provided.

Department: Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Position: Clothing Closet Volunteer

Position Summary: Volunteers will work one-on-one with individuals to provide clothing and some household / hygiene goods. Responsibilities include greeting participants, sorting donations, respecting confidentiality, working in accordance with the agency's mission and adhere to its policies by honoring the volunteer agreement, and completing other tasks as needed.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Maintain a welcoming spirit and greet clients as they enter The Clothing Closet
• Determine the size(s) of the client(s) and assist them with their clothing needs within the closet guidelines
• Accurately record information regarding the frequency of use and number of items leaving the clothing closet
• Manage the inventory and sort incoming clothing donations and replenish the closet with stock items as necessary
• Clearly and accurately label donations and store in correct locations
• Organize displays in the closet 

Accountabilities: Volunteers are required to have strong organizational skills and the ability to interact successfully with a diversity of  and languages. Any language(s) spoken in addition to English is a plus but not required. Volunteers typically make a commitment of 2-3 hours per week with some flexibility depending on the need of items / volunteers available. Clothing Closet volunteers will report to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteer Position: Tutor - English

Department: Adult Learning and/or Office for New Americans 

Position Summary: Work one on one or in small groups with immigrants and refugees studying the English language. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Practice English 
• Keep track of progress and work on areas that need improvement
• Maintain confidentiality of clients at all times  

Accountabilities: This volunteer position is available for two different departments at the Center. Our Adult Learning department which provides English classes everyday through a partnership with MVCC needs tutors for some of their students. Our Office for New Americans program also needs tutors to assist individuals outside of regular English language classes or at other locations in the City where English instruction is provided.

Volunteer Position: MAC Mentor 

Department: Making a Connection Program (MAC Grant)

Position Summary: Mentors will be paired with one or more of our participants to help refugee youth and young adults achieve their academic and professional goals! 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Meet and maintain communication with mentee
• Provide mentee with guidance necessary for adjusting to life in America and accomplishing their goals
• Follow-up with the MAC Program Manager to update them about the mentee's progress and any needs the mentee may have  
• Participate in MAC programming and events   

Accountabilities: This mentor position will be paired with a MAC participant based off of the participants needs and goals. Mentors will be required to maintain communication with their mentee and the MAC Program Manager. This is a new grant program at the Center with the purpose of matching refugee youth ages 15-24 with positive adult mentors to promote positive civic and social engagement and support individual educational and vocational advancement.

Volunteer Position: Tutor - Naturalization Exam

Department: Office for New Americans 

Position Summary: Work one on one or in small groups with immigrants and refugees studying for their naturalization exam to become U.S. Citizens. Individuals must learn 100 civics questions and be able to communicate in basic information in English.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Practice civics questions and speaking English with individuals or in small groups
• Keep track of progress and work on areas that need improvement
• Maintain confidentiality of clients at all times  

Accountabilities: This volunteer will report directly to the Project Coordinator for the Office of New Americans Opportunity Center

Volunteer Position: Tutor - Naturalization Exam

Department: Office for New Americans 

Position Summary: Volunteers safely transport clients, as requested, to and from various appointments when staff is unavailable to do so.  May also support Case workers with picking up clients from the airport.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Receives notice that transportation is needed and either commit or declines for the given date and time.
• Once committed, receives details of the specific appointment including date, time, names, approximate ages and number of people involved, starting and ending locations, contact information, and any other necessary information.
• Arrives to pick up client(s) in a timely manner and alerts client(s) of his/her arrival.
• Safely drives client(s) to appointment location and assures client(s) gets checked in appropriately.
• Safely returns client(s) home after the appointment.
• For airport pickup, assists Case Worker in picking up family from the airport and transporting them to their new apartment

Other Duties: Reports volunteer hours, miles driven, and any other donations to Program Director

Qualifications:

• Cross cultural sensitivity and knowledge with the ability and desire to work with people of other cultures, some of whom will be limited English speakers.
• A safe, appropriate vehicle, with proper licensure, registration, insurance, and safety maintenance
• Valid Drivers License and Insurance that meets The Center requirements

Support: Volunteer Orientation and supervision from The Center's staff member will be available 

Accountabilities: Frequency and time commitment will vary based on the nature and location of the appointment. Generally, expect 2 – 3 hours for appointments and 3 – 4 hours for airport pickups.

Age Requirement: 21 and over

Department: Office for New Americans (ONA) - Immigrant Resource Program

Volunteer Position: Immigrant Helping Hands Volunteer

Position Summary: The Center actively seeks enthusiastic and dynamic members from immigrant and refugee communities to volunteer in our program. Our goal is to support immigrants and refugees in the Mohawk Valley region to succeed as they create their new lives here. As an Immigrant Helping Hands volunteer, you will play a pivotal and valued role in empowering immigrants and refugees within your community.

Average Time Commitment: 5 hours per month.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Engage with members of the immigrant community in the Mohawk Valley region regularly, preferably in person, by attending local meetings, churches, and school events to share timely, relevant, and trusted information and resources.
2. Build connections, develop networks, and identify gaps in services for immigrants in the community, particularly those who are underserved.
3. Collect feedback from immigrants and share this information with the Immigrant Resource Coordinator. 

Accountabilities: 

• Bilingual in English and other languages including, but not limited to, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Dari, Karen, Kinyarwanda, Pashto, Spanish, Swahili, Russian, and Ukrainian.
• Computer proficiency.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to take direction and work independently.
• Confidentiality and discretion.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• A welcoming attitude.

For more information, please contact Cecilia Calero, The ONA Immigrant Resource Coordinator, at (315)801-5528 or send an email to ceciliac@thecenterutica.org.

Volunteer with The Center's Employment & Workforce Development Department to help refugees, immigrants on the path to employment & workforce development. 

We need volunteers to assist with job orientations and with our employment specialists. 

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, complete the application below, and submit your updated resume and cover letter on the next page. 

The Center Volunteer Application

You'll be contacted about current volunteer opportunities. Thank you for helping to create a community of welcome. 

Department: Employment

Volunteer Position: Data and Marketing Assistant

Position Summary: As a Data and Marketing Assistant, the candidate will play a crucial role in organizing and analyzing data within our system. This includes organizing files and ensuring they are kept up to date. Additionally, the volunteer will collaborate closely with the marketing team to integrate data-driven strategies into our outreach efforts, ensuring maximum impact in reaching our target audience.

Average Time Commitment: Two days per week

Department: Preferred Communities – Intensive Case Management (PC-ICM). PC-ICM is a 12-month, individualized program that provides clients with long-term support, based on specific circumstances.

Volunteer Position: PC-ICM Mentor

Position Summary: Mentors will meet one-on-one with individuals on a regular basis to meet socially and encourage self-sufficiency. Mentors should support the clients in a casual and friendly setting.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Maintain a friendly and understanding spirit as you meet with the client to practice English and provide friendship. Support the client in navigating the local community and U.S. cultural norms in a casual setting. Cultivate an environment which encourages the client to feel comfortable openly asking questions or inquiring about different topics.

Accountabilities: Mentors should be comfortable interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and languages. Any language(s) spoken in addition to English is a plus. Mentors would be expected to make a commitment to the mentorship program for 3 months, meeting with the client for a minimum of 4 hours per month. Once matched, the mentor and client can meet and adjust the schedule based on availability. PC-ICM Mentors will report to their assigned PC-ICM Case Manager.

Department: Services to Older Refugees Program (SORP)

Volunteer Positions: Naturalization Tutors, Exercise Leaders, Community Engagement Facilitators

Position Summary: We are reaching out to invite you to support elderly refugees aged 60 and above who have resettled in our community. Your involvement can significantly impact the lives of these individuals who have faced immense challenges adjusting to a new community.

At The Center, we hold weekly classes for one hour tailored to elderly refugees’ needs, and we need volunteers to lead them. 

• Naturalization Tutors: We are looking for volunteers to work with interpreters to tutor or teach citizenship classes and to help refugees pass the citizenship test. 
• Exercise Leaders: We also need instructors for exercise sessions to improve seniors’ physical well-being and overall quality of life.
• Community Engagement Facilitators:
• If you are interested in creating social engagement opportunities, we see volunteers to plan activities like storytelling circles, art workshops, and cultural events. These activities can be culturally immersive and honor Utica’s various communities’ traditions, values, and experiences. 

Your time and skills are deeply appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you to our team and making a difference together.