Thank you for your interest in volunteering, but unfortunately, due to COVID-19, only our Alternative Dispute Resolution Program is accepting volunteers or interns at this time.
Please check back later this year and hopefully there will be more opportunities available.
Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
For more information about any of the Volunteer or Internship opportunities or for general questions about volunteering with us, please contact our Director of Operations, Don Han, at don@splash.ochumanrelations.org
Please note: The volunteer/internships are unpaid positions that do not automatically lead to employment.
Click on the titles below to learn more about that volunteer role
Intern or Volunteer with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team
Intern with the Community Building Team
Volunteer or Intern with our Alternative Dispute Resolution Team
Opportunities for Volunteer Mediators
Thanks to its many great volunteers, OC Human Relations is able to provide high quality mediation services at no cost to Orange County residents. At the same time, volunteers are provided with an opportunity to develop meditation and negotiation skills through practical experience in the field of dispute resolution. In addition to conducing in-person and/or online mediations, volunteers may also choose to participate in community outreach and training support. Volunteers from all walks of life are welcome and there is a special need for individuals who have bilingual abilities to help serve the needs of our diverse community.
Volunteer activities generally take place during regular weekday work hours (8AM to 5 PM). Within those parameters, the volunteer has flexibility to schedule their volunteer time around their own needs and other commitments. Some volunteers choose to volunteer on a consistent regular schedule while other volunteers participate more sporadically as their schedule allows. All volunteer contributions are greatly appreciated.
Completion of Basic Mediation Training is a prerequisite for becoming a volunteer mediator in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Individual who have already been trained in mediation will need to provide verification of completion along with a course description/syllabus so we can confirm that the training meets Dispute Resolution Program Act (DRPA) requirements. For those who are not already trained, DRPA-certified Basic Mediation Training is offered through OC Human Relations several times per year. A background check with the Department of Justice must also be completed before an individual can be accepted as a volunteer.
Once accepted into the volunteer program, volunteers go through a rigorous mentored learning experience before they are given direct responsibility for casework. Because of this intensive training investment by the agency, we ask that new volunteers commit to volunteering an average of 4 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months. Many of our volunteers continue to volunteer for years beyond this minimum commitment.
Opportunities for Alternative Dispute Resolution Interns
OC Human Relations Alternative Dispute Resolution volunteers who are currently enrolled in academic programs may use their volunteer time at OCHR to fulfill internship requirements at their school. Reach out to us to discuss in more detail if you are interested in this option
For more Information
Contact Marco Antonio Ortega at marco@splash.ochumanrelations.org or 714-480-6570.
Back to top of pageIntern With Our Community Building Team
(Applications not being accepted at this time)
OC Human Relations provides programs to foster mutual understanding and respect among residents in order to make Orange County a better place for ALL people to live, work and do business. We strive to create a future where our county’s diversity is realized as a source of our strength and build bridges of understanding to make our community a place where all people are valued and included.
The objective of this internship opportunity is to further the agency’s mission of encouraging dialogue, promoting, and empowering community coalitions in the county. Though the size of our task is large, our resources are limited thus we rely heavily on interns to help make our goals a reality. If you are interested in this opportunity, we welcome your interest and participation.
The internship program provides a means to complement academic work with practical experience through professional development and departmental support that identifies skills, develops leadership, and addresses critical community needs. The goal of the program is to empower the interns in hopes to further their career goals.
Terms:
Internships are available during Spring, Summer, and Fall terms. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis year-round until all positions are filled. All positions are unpaid. Interns are expected to work at least 10 hours a week during Spring and Fall terms, and 20 hours a week during the Summer term. Additionally, interns must be ready to work weekends and evenings, as needed.
This is an unpaid internship. Interns can receive college credit, if needed. However, it is the responsibility of the intern to file all necessary paperwork to receive credit. Interns are responsible for their own travel, living (housing & food), and transportation arrangements.
Qualifications:
- Candidates must be higher education students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree. Exceptions may be made for highly qualified applicants.
- Enthusiasm, interest, and familiarity with OCHR’s work.
- Ability to work with diverse individuals/cultures in a diplomatic and non-biased manner. It is important to be able to deal respectfully with sensitive issues involving divergent viewpoints.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and internet research.
- Ability to convey information in a professional and diplomatic manner.
- Good organizational skills and attention to detail is crucial.
- Bilingual skills are a definite asset.
Interns will receive basic training in all aspects of OCHR’s work, but will be assigned a focus project in one of the following areas:
- Hate Crimes
To create community awareness, increase collaboration for community and police response, and assist primary and secondary victims of hate. - Police Community Relations
To improve the relationship between communities and law enforcement. - Community Dialogues
To create a safe environment for people to dialogue an develop action steps to make community connections and engage in civic activities. - IamOC
Conducting and transcribing interviews with diverse Orange County residents for our #IamOC project - Cultural Competency Development
To create awareness of diversity issue and develop intercultural understanding for groups and institutions. - Community Building Initiatives
To increase cohesion and mobilize the community’s commitments, resources, and skills to build healthy communities. - Community Leadership Development
To provide grassroots leadership training and recognize outstanding human relations contributions. - General Professional Skills
Organizing Team Resource Materials – assisting team with compiling, organizing and categorizing training and resource materials.
Click here to learn more about our Community Building Program
Back to top of page
