Human Services/Social WorkerAt — Korean American Seniors Association of Orange County

Position Description: Human Services & Community Outreach Intern (Bilingual Korean/English Required)

Organization: Korean American Seniors Association of Orange County (KASA-OC)
Location: Garden Grove, Orange County, CA
Position Type: Part-time Internship (Academic credit available / Unpaid)

About Us:
The Korean American Seniors Association of Orange County (KASA-OC) is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Korean American older adults. We provide critical bilingual services, including benefits navigation, health access, wellness programs, and social activities, to help seniors age with dignity and combat isolation.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a passionate and empathetic intern to join our team. This role provides hands-on experience in direct client services and community outreach, perfect for students pursuing careers in Social Work, Human Services, Gerontology, or Public Health. The intern will serve as a crucial cultural and linguistic bridge, providing direct support to our senior members and helping to expand our reach within the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide direct, compassionate assistance to seniors, including conducting intake interviews and needs assessments.

• Offer bilingual (Korean/English) translation and interpretation support during one-on-one sessions and group workshops.

• Assist seniors with accessing public benefits (SNAP/CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI) and social services.

• Support the planning, coordination, and facilitation of wellness workshops, health seminars, and social events.

• Conduct community outreach to identify isolated seniors and connect them with KASA-OC resources.

• Help create and distribute culturally relevant educational materials in both Korean and English.

• Maintain accurate and confidential client records and assist with case management notes.

Required Qualifications:

• Fluency in Korean and English (verbal and written) is mandatory.

• Currently enrolled in a degree program for Social Work, Human Services, Gerontology, Public Health, or a related field.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with empathy for the needs of older adults.

• Cultural competency and understanding of the Korean American community.

• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior volunteer or work experience in a social service setting.

• Familiarity with social service resources and public benefits in Orange County.

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain practical experience in client intake, needs assessment, and case management.

• Develop skills in benefits navigation and community resource coordination.

• Enhance cultural competency in providing services to a diverse aging population.

• Learn effective strategies for community outreach and engagement.

Intern Training & Supervision Plan

To ensure our interns are fully supported and able to achieve their learning goals, KASA-OC provides a structured, multi-phased training program under the direct supervision of our Program Coordinator.

• Phase 1: General Orientation & Foundational Training (Weeks 1-2)
• Phase 2: Ongoing Supervision & Skill Development (Ongoing)
• Phase 3: Independent Practice & Feedback (Mid-placement onward)

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:

• Conduct culturally competent client intake and needs assessments by applying active listening and interviewing techniques to identify the specific social, emotional, and resource-based needs of Korean American older adults.
• Navigate and facilitate access to public benefits and community resources by demonstrating a functional knowledge of systems like Medi-Cal, SNAP/CalFresh, and local senior services, and by effectively assisting clients with applications and referrals.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to promote program services and engage hard-to-reach populations within the Korean American senior community, utilizing appropriate bilingual and culturally relevant communication methods.
• Articulate the unique psychosocial challenges facing immigrant and aging populations, analyzing how factors like language barriers, acculturation stress, and social isolation impact well-being and access to care.
• Operate within the ethical and professional standards of human services, including maintaining strict client confidentiality, practicing professional boundary-setting, and accurately documenting client interactions.