Volunteering Opportunities
Resident Volunteer
Job Title: Resident Volunteer (Temporary Unpaid Position)
Dates: January 11 – February 7, 2024
Stipend: This is a volunteer position. Complimentary hotel accommodations, parking (if needed), and a meal stipend will be provided to support your stay and participation.
Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 AM (shared on-call responsibilities, plus occasional daytime activities)
Location: Sheraton Hotel, La Jolla, CA, and UCSD Extended Studies
Overview
The San Diego Diplomacy Council is seeking four Resident Volunteers to supervise and support a group of high school students from Kiribati, a Pacific island nation deeply affected by climate change. These students will be in San Diego for an educational program to develop work readiness and English language skills, preparing them for opportunities beyond their island home.
As a Resident Volunteer, you will provide overnight supervision, cultural adaptation support, and emergency assistance to the students. Volunteers will reside at the Sheraton Hotel in La Jolla and share on-call responsibilities with fellow volunteers. Weekend availability and participation in occasional program activities, such as student lunches, are also required.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overnight supervision at the hotel and respond to emergencies as needed.
- Share on-call responsibilities during the designated hours (5:00 PM – 9:00 AM).
- Escort students to and from UCSD Extended Studies classes.
- Transport students to urgent care if necessary.
- Use and maintain a personal medical kit (provided by SDDC) to address minor medical concerns.
- Conduct nightly room checks to ensure students adhere to program schedules (e.g., “lights out”) and provide wake-up calls.
- Collect and securely store students’ phones overnight.
- Provide access to your room phone for emergencies.
- Support students in adapting to U.S. culture while fostering a safe, positive, and inclusive environment.
- Enforce program rules and guidelines.
Qualifications
- Experience working with high school-aged youth.
- Basic first aid knowledge and the ability to handle minor medical situations.
- CPR certification (preferred).
- Access to a reliable vehicle for transportation if needed (e.g., medical emergencies).
- Valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
- Successful completion of a background check (will be covered by SDDC prior to start date).
- Successful completion of a pre-program orientation.
- Strong communication skills and cultural sensitivity.
- Commitment to staying on-site and fulfilling all volunteer responsibilities.
Additional Information
- Volunteers will reside at the Sheraton Hotel in La Jolla with accommodations provided.
- Meal stipends will support volunteers during the program.
- Weekend availability is required, along with participation in occasional student lunches.
- Volunteers must be prepared to maintain a safe, supportive environment for the students and uphold the program’s standards of care and supervision.
Why Volunteer?
Join us in this rewarding opportunity to positively impact the lives of Kiribati students during their cultural and educational journey in San Diego. Your role will help shape their future while fostering mutual understanding and global awareness.
How to Apply
To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to employment@sandiegodiplomacy.org. We will accept applications on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
Teacher's Assistant
Job Title: Teacher's Assistant (Temporary Unpaid Position)
Dates: Week-long commitments, various dates Summer 2025 (see below for details)
Overview
As a Teacher's Assistant, you'll play a vital role in helping guide and support students during our dynamic summer program for high school students, formerly known as the Global Leadership Youth Program (rebrand launching soon). This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in global diplomacy, enhance your leadership skills, and inspire the next generation of young leaders.
Key Responsibilities
- Speaker Prep Support: Assist in preparing guest speakers by helping them coordinate logistics and find their classrooms
- Diplomacy Simulation Assistance: Work closely with the instructor to guide students through an exciting, real-world diplomacy simulation, fostering teamwork and critical thinking
- Group Project Guidance: Support students in small group projects, helping them develop problem-solving skills and work together to find creative solutions
Additional Information
This program will run over four weeks, with tentative dates:
- July 7 - 11
- July 14 - 18
- July 21 - 25
- July 28 - August 1
Why Apply?
- Experience: Gain valuable teaching and mentoring experience in the field of international relations
- Networking: Meet guest speakers, instructors, and professionals in the global diplomacy field
- Impact: Help inspire and equip the next generation of global leaders
- Fun and rewarding: Be a part of an interactive, fast-paced program that makes learning about global issues exciting and engaging
- While this is an unpaid opportunity, it offers incredible experience for your future career, especially if you are pursuing a career in education, international relations, or diplomacy. You can also use this opportunity to earn internship credit at your school or volunteer hours, if applicable.
Qualifications
- Most suited for college-aged students, and recent graduates
- A passion for international relations and diplomacy
- Strong communication skills, and the ability to engage with high schoolers
- Enthusiasm and willingness to assist with program logistics
- Previous experience with youth or in teaching is a plus but not required
How to Apply
To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to employment@sandiegodiplomacy.org. We will accept applications on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
Internships
Applications for spring internships 2025 are now closed.
While we accept applications on a rolling basis, we will not be conducting internship interviews until closer to the commencement of our Fall 2025 internship cohort.
Reach out to internship@sandiegodiplomacy.org if you have any questions, and to submit your resume and cover letter.
Internships require a six-month commitment of 15 hours per week. Please note that this is an unpaid internship position.
Gain hands-on experience in public diplomacy while learning about the work of a nonprofit in San Diego. Our volunteer intern positions are open to applicants with a high school diploma and above (non-students welcome). Internships completed as part of a college course are eligible for credit. Our internship program is attractive to emerging global leaders looking to expand their skills and knowledge in the following areas:
- Program - designed to give interns practical experience in planning and scheduling professional appointments for international visitors who come to San Diego. Program Interns are involved in one-on-one meetings, group discussions, and planning delegates' itineraries. In addition, the intern often accompanies visitors to their professional meetings.
- Executive - designed to give the intern experience in working with executive-level personnel on administrative, meeting planning, and communication tasks. Assist the Executive Director with expanding SDDC relationships, expand public relations, contribute to event planning, and assist with strategic development.
- Communications - designed to give the intern a high level of responsibility and exposure to local, national, and global media sources in a professional, intercultural environment.
- Development - designed to give the intern experience connecting with local, national, and international partners and community members, building new relationships, coordinating events, and serving as a liaison with donors and partners .
- Operations - designed to allow the intern a chance to explore nonprofit management, database maintenance, and involvement in SDDC's membership engagement. An Operations Intern will gain experience in accounting, grant reporting, business processes, and project management.
- IT - designed to provide hands-on experience providing computer support and troubleshooting hardware issues, and assisting the team's transition from our VPN system to Google.This position is specific to the Spring 2025 intern cohort and is not always available.
Internship Details and Timeline: Our volunteer internships are approximately 15 hours per week, for a duration of at least 6 months. We are currently recruiting for the Spring cohort of interns. The Spring cohort will run February through August, 2025.
To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to internship@sandiegodiplomacy.org. Identification of your preferred internship position is appreciated.
