DRCVI Opportunities

DRCVI Opportunities

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Internship Opportunity

Special Education Advocacy Internship  

Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands (DRCVI) is currently seeking a Special Education Advocate Intern to continue to assist students and parents with a strong commitment to the involvement of empowering and educating parents in becoming advocates for their child(ren)’s education. 

The mission of the DRCVI is to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, support and empower families and provide training and information that promotes the overall health and educational development of children and youth. The Special Education Advocate Intern will work with project directors, DRCVI staff, parents, and schools, to provide high-quality, culturally competent services leading to positive outcomes for children with disabilities and their families and positive relationships with professionals. Eligibility:To be eligible to apply, the individual must be a current student at the University of the Virgin Islands, 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship, and meet at least two of the following criteria:

• Completed the first year of college and is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Currently enrolled as a student in the School of Education, School of Social Work, or School of Psychology.
• Strong passion to learn, serve and advocate for students in Special Education and assisting parents of students in need of special education services.
• Must have completed at least three of the following courses: EDU 221 Foundations of Education, EDU 230 Educational Psychology, EDU 250 Curriculum Development, and Instruction, PSY 120 General Psychology, PSY 202 Life Span Development, and COM 119 Interpersonal Communication and Leadership Skills.

Required Qualifications:

Demonstrate relevant training and experience with the following knowledge, abilities, and skills: 

1. Outstanding planning, communication & organizational skills. 

2. Excellent outreach, family engagement and empowerment, and community collaboration skills.

3. Ability to interact with a diverse population of families, children, youth, and professionals.

4. Strong written and verbal communication. Strong Spanish or other second language skills are a plus.

5. Capacity to use technology and software including computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheet, Contact Management System (CMS), etc.

6. Knowledge of local community and resources. 

7. Willing to work in a team setting, internally and externally.

8. Willing to keep highly sensitive information confidential.

9. Must currently reside in the United States Virgin Islands.

10. Must have reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Knowledge of students with disabilities and rights.

2. Experience volunteering or working with a nonprofit organization.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Conduct outreach and provide training and support to families who need special education services.

2. Provide information, technical assistance, and parent-to-parent support. 

3. Assist parents with receiving education and documentation needed to assist them.

4. Provide information to families about available services, resources, and supports in Special Education.  

5. Enhance family self-advocacy.

6. Maintain records and information that support the project under the direction of the supervisor.

7. Update DRCVI material with accurate and current information.

8. Other responsibilities as needed.

Special Education Advocacy Internship is a twelve-week program divided into two sessions one/two weeks in the Fall and ten weeks in the Spring:

Fall Session Number One: Training will be arranged upon acceptance of the position, preferably in December (two weeks at 10 hours per week)

Spring Session Number Two: January – May (ten weeks at 10 hours per week)

This post is for 2 interns- One for St. Croix and One for St. Thomas/St. John.

Pay:

Students will be required to work 10 hours per week for 12 weeks. The maximum stipend for this position is $2,400 via a 1099 statement during our biweekly pay periods.

DRCVI is an equal employment opportunity employer.  Candidates with a full range of diverse backgrounds and language capacities are encouraged to apply. 

Email your resume, current class schedule, and two references to kfrancis@drcvi.org. 

The deadline to apply is September 15, 2023, by close of business.

Fall High School Internship Position

Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands (DRCVI) is currently seeking a High School Intern to assist the community with learning more about DRCVI services and advocacy. 

The mission of the DRCVI is to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, support and empower families and provide training and information that promotes the overall health and educational development of children and youth. The High School Intern will work with the Youth Coordinator and Marketing Intern, DRCVI staff, and the other organizations to assist with educating the community about individuals with disabilities, resources, and services available.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to apply the individual must be a current student attending a public or private high school in the United States Virgin Islands.

• Strong passion to learn, serve and advocate for students with disabilities and training students in leadership roles.
• Must have an interest in attending College or a University.

Required Qualifications:

Demonstrate relevant training and experience with the following knowledge, abilities, and skills: 

1. Outstanding planning, communication & organizational skills. 

2. Excellent outreach, family engagement and empowerment, and community collaboration skills.

3. Ability to interact with a diverse population of families, children, youth, and professionals.

4. Strong written and verbal communication and strong Spanish or other second language skills are a plus.

5. Capacity to use technology and software including computer skills, Word, Excel, Smart Sheet, web-based contact management system, etc.

6. Knowledge of local community and resources. 

7. Willing to work in a team setting, internally and externally.

8. Willing to keep highly sensitive information confidential.

9. Must currently reside in the United States Virgin Islands.

10. Must have a strong work ethic and willingness to learn.

11. Must be able to commit to a minimum of 1 hour per week for 10 weeks. 

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Knowledge of students with disabilities and rights.

2. Experience volunteering or working with a nonprofit organization or a local government agency.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Provide support to other interns and other DRCVI personnel when necessary.

2. Communicate with staff about issues that they may see in the community or on campus.

3. Assist DRCVI staff with communicating with students and young adults through newsletters, blogs or vlogs.

4. Assist with creating marketing ideas that target young people in the Virgin Islands.

5. Assist with outreach and training events that do not conflict with their schedule while attending high school.

6. Maintain records and information that support the project under the direction of the supervisor.

7. Other responsibilities as needed.

The High School Intern agrees to:

• Conduct themselves in a professional manner while representing DRCVI.
• Share the information with the Youth Coordinator and Marketing Intern.
• Commit to learning about DRCVI culture, policy, and procedures. 
• Attend advocacy and outreach that do not conflict with their classes in school or required activities.

The high school intern will be required to work a minimum of 5 hours per week not to exceed 60 hours in 10 weeks.

At the end of the internship, students will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card. 

DRCVI is an equal employment opportunity employer.  Candidates with a full range of diverse backgrounds and language capacities are encouraged to apply. 

Email your resume and two references to kfrancis@drcvi.org.

The deadline to apply is September 15, 2023.

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Volunteers 

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Assists with communications and outreach 
• Acts as principal assistant on administrative matters
• Greets clients and directs them to other offices or locations
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge and Skills: Basic knowledge of computer and data entry. Pleasant manner, patience, problem-solving ability, dependability 

Support: Training for this position will be provided.