Divisional Community Engagement InternAt — The Salvation Army -Southern California Division

The Divisional Community Engagement Specialist Intern is a BA-level student internship designed to provide hands-on, immersive learning within a large, multi-site social services department. The intern will support Divisional Directors and senior leadership with special projects, field site support, and community engagement initiatives across diverse service settings.

This role offers exposure to social services operations, community partnerships, outreach strategies, and trauma-informed systems serving vulnerable and trauma-impacted populations. The intern will engage in work grounded in restorative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive frameworks while rotating across program sites in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Tasks:

General Internship Tasks Aligned to Learning Objectives
The Divisional Community Engagement Specialist Intern will complete structured, supervised tasks across Divisional Headquarters and shelter-based programs to support learning in leadership, community engagement, and trauma-informed social services.

Divisional Headquarters Tasks
While based at Divisional Headquarters, the intern will:
Support Divisional Directors and leadership with community engagement initiatives and special projects
Assist with preparation for meetings, site visits, outreach events, and community partner engagement
Participate in divisional meetings to learn systems-level planning and decision-making
Assist with research, summaries, and project materials related to social services operations
Observe trauma-informed leadership practices and ethical decision-making

Shelter Programs & Field-Based Tasks
While rotating through shelter and community-based sites, the intern will:
Participate in guided site visits across programs with varying levels of care and services
Observe program operations, service delivery models, and staff roles
Support community engagement activities, group programming, and outreach events
Assist with non-clinical program support activities appropriate to intern status
Observe trauma-informed and restorative practices in real-world service settings

Community Engagement & Professional Development
Across all settings, the intern will:
Support community engagement and partnership activities with local organizations
Apply trauma-informed and culturally responsive principles in all interactions
Participate in reflective supervision and learning discussions
Complete required learning documentation, reflections, and evaluations aligned with university expectations

Training:

Supervision, Support, and Structured Training- The Divisional Community Engagement Specialist Intern will receive intentional, structured training and supervision designed to support professional growth, skill development, and integration of academic learning with real-world social services practice.
Structured Training Components- The internship includes a planned training curriculum delivered by Divisional and site-based leadership, which may include:
Orientation to Divisional Social Services structure, mission, values, and service models
Introduction to trauma-informed, restorative, and culturally responsive frameworks as applied in community engagement and service delivery
Training on ethical practice, professional boundaries, confidentiality, and systems-level considerations in social services
Exposure to community engagement strategies, outreach models, and cross-sector collaboration
Overview of program operations across multiple service areas (e.g., homelessness services, behavioral health, family services, prevention, outreach)
Training will occur through a combination of formal orientation sessions, guided site visits, shadowing opportunities, leadership briefings, and hands-on project participation.

Learning Outcome:

The internship is structured to support academic and professional development by enabling the intern to:
Understand divisional-level social services leadership, planning, and operations
Apply trauma-informed, restorative, and culturally responsive approaches in community engagement
Gain exposure to multiple service models (e.g., homelessness services, behavioral health, family services, outreach, prevention)
Develop professional skills in project coordination, communication, and systems-level thinking
Observe how community partnerships and cross-sector collaboration support service access and impact

Risk Notes:

Intern interactions will occur in structured, supervised settings at Divisional Headquarters and designated program sites (including shelter programs and community engagement activities). The intern’s role is primarily observational and supportive (e.g., assisting with community engagement activities, preparing materials, participating in guided site visits, supporting group activities and partner events) and does not include providing clinical services or independently intervening in behavioral health crises. Because shelter and community-based settings may include individuals experiencing acute distress or mental health crisis, the internship includes required safety training, clear protocols at each location, and direct supervision. Interns will be oriented to site-specific safety procedures upon arrival, will work only in approved areas, and will be instructed to immediately notify staff and disengage if a situation escalates.

1. Details concerning security at the site where interns will be working
Security measures vary by site, but generally include a combination of the following:
• Controlled access to facilities (staff-monitored entry, visitor sign-in procedures, and staff-only areas).
• On-site security personnel and/or trained designated safety leads (depending on program type and hours of operation).
• CCTV or facility monitoring where available, and established protocols for reporting safety concerns.
• Clear emergency exits, posted safety procedures, and identified muster points.
• Staff presence and coverage in program areas; interns are not assigned to work alone.
• Coordination with local emergency services when needed and site-specific guidance for when to call 911.

2. Details of any training your staff have received to identify and respond to situations involving violent individuals or criminal behavior
Program staff and leadership receive training and ongoing guidance relevant to safety in social service environments. Depending on role and site, training includes:
• De-escalation strategies, situational awareness, and recognizing early warning signs of agitation or escalation.
• Trauma-informed engagement approaches to reduce reactivity and promote safety.
• Protocols for responding to threats, violence, weapons concerns, or suspected criminal activity (including when to disengage and contact security/law enforcement).
• Incident reporting procedures and documentation expectations.
• Emergency response procedures (e.g., medical emergencies, fire safety, evacuation, and lockdown/shelter-in-place where applicable).
Training is reinforced through supervision, team meetings, refreshers, and site-specific drills or reviews as appropriate.

3. Details of any training students will receive to identify and respond to situations involving violent individuals or criminal behavior
Interns will receive a structured safety orientation prior to and/or at the start of field rotations, including:
• Review of site-specific safety expectations, prohibited activities, and “do not engage” situations.
• How to recognize escalation indicators (e.g., heightened agitation, threats, unsafe body language) and how to maintain personal safety.
• Clear instruction that interns do not intervene physically, do not attempt to manage crises independently, and must immediately notify staff.
• De-escalation basics appropriate to an intern role (e.g., maintaining distance, calm communication, exiting the area, seeking staff support).
• How to access on-site security or the designated safety lead; when and how staff contact emergency services.
• Emergency procedures: evacuation routes, emergency exits, safe locations, and incident reporting.
• Confidentiality, professional boundaries, and safe engagement practices in community settings.
Intern training is documented through orientation checklists and reinforced through ongoing supervision and pre-/post-visit briefings.

4. Procedures in place to mitigate danger to staff
The following procedures are in place to reduce risk and ensure a safe environment for staff and interns:
• Clear safety protocols at each location (including escalation response steps, emergency communications, and incident reporting).
• Staffing plans that ensure coverage; interns are not placed in one-to-one unsupervised situations or high-risk roles.
• Established expectations for disengagement and obtaining support (security lead/program supervisor) when safety concerns arise.
• Use of controlled spaces for programming when possible; management of visitor flow and adherence to facility rules.
• Coordination with security and/or emergency responders when indicated; staff are empowered to call for assistance immediately.
• Routine review of incidents and safety concerns to improve procedures and strengthen prevention.
• Supervision structure that includes pre-briefing before site visits and debriefing afterward to reinforce learning and safety expectations.

Student work will be directed through a structured, supervised mentorship model led by the Divisional Director of Social Services, in collaboration with Divisional and site-based leadership.
As Divisional Director, I will serve as the primary supervisor and mentor for the intern. I will guide learning objectives, delegate assignments aligned with academic and professional development goals, and ensure that tasks remain developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and education-focused. I will provide individual check-ins on each day the intern is engaged, which may include briefings at the start of the day, supervision discussions, and/or reflective debriefs following site visits or project work.
Work assignments and learning activities will be intentionally planned and coordinated with Divisional Directors and site-based Program Directors or Managers. These leaders will provide on-site guidance, orientation, and support during field-based activities and site rotations, helping the intern understand program operations, community engagement strategies, and service models in practice.
Mentorship will be provided through:
Regular individual supervision and check-ins led by the Divisional Director
Ongoing communication and coordination with site leadership to ensure consistency and safety
Guided observation, shadowing, and project-based learning opportunities
Reflective discussions connecting academic learning to real-world social services practice
Feedback and support focused on professional development, ethics, trauma-informed practice, and systems-level understanding
I will maintain regular communication with site leaders to monitor the intern’s experience, adjust tasks as needed, and ensure the placement remains supportive, educational, and aligned with learning objectives. This coordinated supervision model provides students with both centralized mentorship and site-specific guidance, while prioritizing learning, safety, and professional growth.