Internship Opportunities

We welcome the opportunity to work with interns! The agency has several ways in which you can join the movement to end sexual and domestic violence. The four primary internship opportunities are with our Advocacy, Counseling, Education and Training, Development and Communications/Marketing departments. All of our interns are required to complete a minimum of 10-hours of sexual assault crisis intervention training. You must complete this training prior to or within a month of beginning your internship. This training is provided by the agency at no charge. Most of The Compass Center’s internships require a minimum of one year or two academic semesters. Please be sure to read carefully to determine the time commitment of your intended internship. The Compass Center accepts non-academic interns by exception. All internships at The Compass Center are unpaid. The Compass Center encourages applicants who are multi-cultural, multi-lingual, identify as persons of color and/or LGBTQ+. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and application form to the appropriate supervisor.

Counseling Intern

Master's Level

Summary / Objective:
The Compass Center masters level counseling interns will have the opportunity to observe the programs of the agency and gain experience in trauma-focused counseling with survivors of sexual and domestic violence. At The Compass Center, we value openness, respect, creativity and innovation. We’re looking for someone who finds joy in the purpose of helping survivors while having fun with co-workers. The intern will work with survivors of sexual and domestic violence and must be ready to work with intense trauma daily.

Essential Functions:
• Provide individual and group therapy, advocacy, support, and education to clients who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, in accordance with the organization’s Mission Statement and Core Values. This includes co-facilitating a group throughout the duration of internship.
• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence who come to The Compass Center is a state of crisis.
• Keep accurate and timely paperwork in accordance with policies and procedures
• Document contacts with clients and keep necessary statistical information.
• Attend assigned meetings and training. Specifically attending one hour of individual clinical supervision and one hour of group clinical supervision per week.
• Keep abreast of developments in Agency’s areas of services and expertise.
• Participate in rape crisis training and participate in coverage of a least one week of the afterhours on-call schedule per semester of internship.
• Participate in daily walk-in coverage rotation to ensure that crisis services are available during all business hours.

Required Hours:
• One evening per week (Monday or Thursday).
• Required to be available at least 20 hours per week.

Other Functions:
• Assist with grant and fundraising work
• Participate in special activities the agency produces
• Other duties as determined by intern, supervisor, or as required by the university supervisor
• Assist with training of volunteers and interns
• Conduct presentations and trainings for The Compass Center, as needed

Competencies:
• Confidentiality
• Ethical conduct
• Flexibility
• Initiative
• Time management
• Collaboration skills
• Stress management / composure
• Problem solving / analysis

Work environment:
This internship operates in an extremely busy professional office environment.

Classification: Intern / unpaid

Reports to: Clinical Director

Click here to apply

Education and Training Program Intern

General Role Description
The Education and Training (E&T) Intern is responsible for assisting the E&T Program with delivering presentations and workshops on domestic and sexual violence prevention and healthy relationships. After significant training, the intern will be asked present to children as young as pre-k, through elementary school and high school, as well as college-aged students. It is expected the intern will grow into an independent presenter on behalf of the agency, with ample supervision and support. The E&T program has a strong focus on working with youth in low-income and under-served communities. The intern will be proactive in outreach efforts within the community to effectively communicate The Compass Center services and the benefits of prevention education. The intern will also assist with daily tasks related to program development and special projects that will be determined on an individual basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide basic sexual and relationship violence prevention education to children and youth, once several presentations have been observed.
2. Attend a minimum of 40-hour intensive training and certification on sexual assault, which is included for free as part of the internship. This training is required.
3. Assist E&T department with curriculum development on various topics related to violence prevention.
4. Attend resource fairs and community events as a representative of The Compass Center.
5. Assist The Compass Center with our volunteer trainings.
6. Provide outreach/institutional advocacy within the community.
7. Attend all required meetings within the E&T Program, including participation in the event-based Sexual Assault Awareness Month Committee.
8. Assist the E&T program with volunteer support and record keeping.
9. Provide crisis intervention, as well as information and referrals, in-person or on the telephone.
10. Maintain accurate and complete records of all services delivered, including data entry.
11. Assist with daily tasks related to program development, as needed.
12. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and medical/legal advocacy to survivors seen in the emergency department. One 12-hour shift per month will be encouraged, once training is completed.

REQUIREMENTS
The Education & Training Intern must possess excellent communication skills, an interest in violence prevention and the ability to work with diverse audiences. Candidates with anti-violence and presentation experience are preferred. Multi/bilingual encouraged.

We work in communities throughout the four county area, and access to a vehicle is required. Please note this internship is a minimum of two academic semesters or approximately nine months.

Reports To: Assistant Director / Clinical Director

To apply: email cover letter, resume and application to briana@thecompasscenter.org.

Victim Advocate Intern

GENERAL ROLE DESCRIPTION
The Victim Advocate Intern is responsible for assisting the advocacy team in providing advocacy to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. This includes opportunities to engage in institutional advocacy activities within the Civil and Criminal Justice System. Additionally, the Victim Advocate Intern will provide crisis intervention, emotional support, medical advocacy, and appropriate referral/linkages to domestic and sexual assault victims/survivors and their significant others through the emergency department of contract hospitals, telephone crisis calls, and walk-in requests.

RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assist the advocacy team in providing services for domestic and sexual assault survivors including: follow-up phone calls to police stations, assistant state’s attorneys, filing for Crime Victims Compensation, and back-up court accompaniment as needed.
2. Maintain a minimum of 10 office hours a week.
3. Attend meetings, in addition to staff, that encompass the Civil and Criminal Justice System as requested.
4. Provide crisis intervention, as well as information and referrals via the office telephone.
5. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and medical/legal advocacy to survivors seen in the emergency department. Schedule a minimum of one 12-hour shift of on-call medical advocacy per month (depending on requirements of internship) and respond during office hours, as needed.
6. Maintain accurate and complete records of all services, including the client database.
7. Complete projects designed specifically for the internship

REQUIREMENTS
The Victim Advocate Intern requires strong interpersonal skills, an ability to advocate for the needs/rights of others, and good verbal and written communication skills. Completion of online advocacy training modules within the first month is required. Computer skills required. Undergraduate course work in criminal justice, social work or pre-law preferred. Please note internships with The Compass Center’s Advocacy Program are for a minimum of one year.

Reports To: Victim Advocate Intern Supervisor

Click here to apply

Development Intern

The Compass Center is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group trauma therapy, and medical and legal advocacy in the Sioux Falls four county area. The Compass Center provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault.

General Role Description: The Compass Center is seeking a dynamic self-starter to assist with fundraising efforts. This internship is an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience in various aspects of development while working for a well-respected nonprofit organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assist with mailings including acknowledgement letters, appeal letters, and event invitations. 2. Assist with donor database cleanup and migration.
3. Assist with planning and executing crowdfunding campaign.
4. Assist with planning and executing fundraising events, including The Compass Center’s annual gala.
5. Research new funding opportunities.
6. Coordinate digitization of development files.
7. Attend The Compass Center’s 40+ hour training and certification on sexual assault crisis intervention.
8. Other projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Working toward a college degree in related field (e.g., Social Policy, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management).
2. Interest or experience in fundraising, special events, or nonprofit management.
3. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office is a must; knowledge of fundraising software is a plus. 4. An effective communicator, both written and oral.
5. Self-motivated with solid organizational skills; ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
6. Passion for the mission of The Compass Center and the clients we serve.

Note: Because of the nature the development team’s work, we do not need interns to commit to a full year and can accommodate a shorter schedule.

Reports To: Development Director

To apply: email cover letter, resume and application to jason@thecompasscenter.org.

Marketing and Communications Intern

The Compass Center is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group trauma therapy, and medical and legal advocacy in the Sioux Falls four county area. The Compass Center provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault

General Role Description: The Compass Center is seeking a dynamic, self-starter to assist marketing and communications efforts. This internship is an excellent opportunity to experience various aspects of marketing while working for a well-respected nonprofit organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assist in planning, writing, and managing monthly e-newsletter.
2. Design flyers, graphics, and other marketing materials for events hosted by The Compass Center.
3. Help maintain and track The Compass Center’s social media presence, including scheduling Facebook and Twitter posts.
4. Draft, distribute, and pitch news releases and media alerts.
5. Update The Compass Center’s website as needed.
6. Help coordinate outreach activities during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).
7. Collaborate with staff on new ideas, directions, and venues for marketing and communications.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Working toward a college degree in related field (e.g., English, Marketing/Communications, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Social Policy).
2. Knowledge of available tools, platforms, and trends in the social media space.
3. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Knowledge of graphic design a plus.
4. An effective communicator, both written and oral.
5. Photography and video experience a plus.
6. Self-motivated with good organizational skills, detail-oriented, able to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
7. Passion for the mission of The Compass Center and clients we serve.

Note: Because of the nature the development team’s work, we do not need interns to commit to a full year and can accommodate a shorter schedule.

To apply: provide a cover letter, resume and application to director@thecompasscenter.org.